What is CAD?
How can it improve your workflow? Find out in this complete guide to computer-aided design—from its history to what’s next.
fusion-360-cad-3d modeling-3d design-software
Designing a tech-enabled product with Autodesk Fusion 360.
The days of drafting with pencil, paper, and protractors are winding down as most engineers, PCB designers, and architects become experts at using CAD (computer-aided design) software. CAD is software specifically to help draft documentation, visualize 2D or 3D design concepts using photorealistic renderings, simulate real-world functionality, and export CAD data to computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software.
Working in CAD Software?
CAD centralizes product design into an automated 3D environment. Any engineering design usually starts in CAD. No matter if it’s a PCB (printed circuit board) for a gaming console or an automotive application like a custom roll cage for a Corvette, CAD is the ideal all-in-one 3d modeling environment. CAD incorporates a single-sourced library and cloud-based data management. This facilitates easy access to saved schematics, schematic symbols, 2D drawings, 2D footprints, and 3D models.
Once a CAD model is complete, the CAD file can transfer into CAM software. Autodesk Fusion 360 integrates CAD and CAM into one friendly and accessible environment.
With 3D CAD, engineers can choose from preloaded models like doors and windows or start from scratch by utilizing fill-in parameters.
Software Advantages
cad-on-laptop-computer
CAD modeling software provide several advantages over traditional drafting techniques, such as:
Increased accuracy for 2D drawing precise dimensions
Automating common processes
Access to libraries of routinely used items such as doors, windows, and manufacturing parts
The ability to quickly adjust parts of a drawing without needing to start over
Managing complex designs details all within one file
Creating blocks for frequently drawn items
Increased collaboration and visualization with colleagues through the ability to share and mark the same file
Offline capabilities
Are you interested in learning CAD (Computer Aided Design)? CAD is an extremely useful skill used in engineering, manufacturing, 3D Printing, surface modeling, architectural design, and more. CAD may seem like a complicated skill—and it is a skill that takes a lot of time, practice, and instruction to get good at—but it’s pretty easy to learn the basics on your own and start practicing. This wikiHow article teaches you how to get started with the basics of CAD and how to expand your knowledge.
Things You Should Know
Professional CAD software can be expensive, but there are free programs you can use to learn CAD before investing in costly applications.
Download CAD software and start practicing. Find an instructor, take classes, and practice drawing things you find around the house.
Learn the basics, including 2D sketching and working with objects. Watch tutorials and study with a skilled instructor.
How to Learn CAD
Step 1 Decide on a CAD field.
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Decide on a CAD field.
CAD is used in everything from manufacturing, mechanical design, electronics, 3D printing, architecture, and more. No one is an expert in every field of CAD, so decide which field you want to work in and focus on that. You can classify CAD fields into three main categories:
Design and surface modeling: This field focuses on creating organic shapes and designs that are more aesthetically pleasing than functional. This can include designing video game characters, 3D sculptures, object exteriors (i.e., the body of a car), and more.
Architecture and Interior Design: Building and house design, interior design, and furniture design.
Engineering: Designing machines with moving parts and parts that fit together. These are parts that will eventually be manufactured or fabricated. This field requires the most training, as parts need to have accurate dimensions and surface finish.
Step 2 Install CAD software.
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Install CAD software.
Professional CAD software can be expensive, but when you’re new to CAD, you can start with a free program. Free programs have many of the same features as professional programs and are great for learning CAD from scratch. Some free CAD software options:
[ https://www.freecad.org/ FreeCAD]
Sketchup Free
LibreCAD
TinkerCAD
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Teach others.
Once you become proficient with CAD, share your knowledge with others. Help students and colleagues who are struggling. Work with others to solve problems. Answer questions in online forums. Make your own YouTube tutorials. Write a wikiHow article. This will help keep your CAD knowledge sharp.
The Basics of CAD
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Step 1 Object orientation.
Object orientation.
When designing an object in CAD, it’s important to understand the orientation and axis you are working with. 2D CAD models have an X and a Y axis, representing the object’s length and width. 3D CAD models add a Z axis for height. CAD programs like SolidWorks open with default left, right, and top planes you can use to design your sketches.
Step 2 Units of measurement.
Units of measurement.
CAD models need to be accurate and to scale. To achieve this, it’s important to know what units of measurement you are using. Are you using inches, feet, meters, or centimeters? You’ll need to select the correct unit of measurement when you set up your CAD document.
Step 3 2D sketching.
2D sketching.
A sketch is a 2D CAD drawing. Before you can design a 3D object, you need to create an accurate 2D sketch of it from one side. Generally, a CAD program has tools for drawing different 2D shapes and lines. You can also freehand draw.
Step 4 Extruding.
Extruding.
Once you have a 2D sketch, you can turn it into a 3D sketch by extruding the geometry. For example, if you have a 2D floor plan sketch, you can extrude the walls upward to create actual walls. You need to know exactly how many units tall or wide to extrude the object.
Step 5 Cutting.
Cutting.
Cutting is the opposite of extruding. It removes geometry from an object. For example, let’s say you are designing a gear and need to cut a hole in the middle so you can mount it. You can draw a circle in the center of the gear and then use that circle to cut a hole in your gear.[1]
When cutting, you don’t need to cut all the way through an object. You can also cut to create an indentation in an object.
Step 6 Fillet.
Fillet.
Adding a fillet to a corner is very common in CAD design. Filleting adds a rounded edge to a sharp corner. When adding a fillet to an edge or corner, you’ll need to make sure you enter a radius, which will determine how big the rounded portion of the edge will be.[2]
Step 7 Chamfer.
Chamfer.
Chamfer is similar to fillet, but instead of adding a rounded edge, it adds a flat sloping edge. When creating a chamfer, you need to enter the correct distances you want the sloping line to be between the two lines in the corner.
CAD Software
Step 1 Pick the right software for your field.
Pick the right software for your field.
Some CAD programs have features that are specifically designed for a specific field. The following list categorizes different CAD programs by the fields that use them:
Design and Surface Modeling:
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Autodesk Maya
Autodesk 3DS Max
Catia
SolidWorks
Architecture and Interior Design:
ARC
Autodesk Revit
AutoCAD
MicroStation
Graphisoft Archicad
Sketchup
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SolidWorks
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AutoCAD
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Sketchup Free
LibreCAD
TinkerCAD
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Many CAD software companies offer both desktop and cloud-based solutions. There are pros and cons to both:
Cloud-based software: Cloud-based software is online and can run in a web browser, which is convenient when working in teams. Team members can access their work from any computer with an internet connection. Cloud-based services usually have monthly (or yearly) subscription fees, so there will be a smaller startup cost. The downside is that cloud-based software requires a strong internet connection, and the subscription fee may cost more over time.
Onshape is a popular cloud-based CAD application.
Desktop software: Desktop software is the software you install on a dedicated computer. It does not require an internet connection, but your employees need to be at the computer with the software installed. This can make sharing work with team members and working remotely more difficult. Desktop software often requires you to pay a one-time fee upfront to purchase the software, which can lead to a higher startup cost.
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