What is computer aided design (CAD)?
Computer-aided design, or CAD (also known as CADD for computer-aided design and drafting), is the use of computers to design three-dimensional objects. CAD is used to design a number of everyday products, from car engines to computer peripherals to medical devices.Benefits of CADThe spread of computer-aided design has allowed manufacturers to drastically reduce the time it takes to design a product. With CAD, a designer can test a design for defects through simulation, and make adjustments or discard designs on the fly.Design ManipulationMany CAD programs allow the designer to use the mouse to turn and flip the object as it’s being designed, and observe it from any angle — even from the inside looking out.Object TraitsSome CAD programs allow the designer to specify much more than just the dimensions of the object. These programs can take into account the object’s weight, the materials its made from, and–for pieces that must fit together exactly, such as engine parts–the maximum amo