Few years back, planning and structural designing of complex buildings,
machines etc. were done on drawing boards and paper, with various tools
like pencil, eraser, compass, scale etc. With the advent of computer technology,
specially with the software named CAD / CAM, these jobs have become more
easier and simpler. Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), most popularly
known as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is an electronic tool which enables
quick and accurate drawing with the use of computer. CAD make use of computer
software programmes, special purpose hardware as well as graphics to generate
drawings. CAD software is often referred to as CAD CAM software. CAM (Computer
Aided Manufacturing) is a system of automatically producing finished products
by using computer controlled production machines.
Even though, the world's first Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software
was developed in the early 1960's, CAD became popular in the beginning
of 1980's. It was Ivan Sutherland who developed the first CAD software
named 'sketchpad' in 1963. But before that in the year 1957, Dr. Patrick
J. Hanratty had developed a commercial CAM software system, a numerical
control programming tool called 'PRONTO' and for that reason Dr. Hanratty
is referred as 'the father of CAD CAM'.
Creativity, science and business are combined in the CAD field which are
used to design curves and figures in two dimensional (2D) space; or curves,
surfaces or solids in three dimensional (3D) objects. In addition to the
software, CAD systems require a high quality graphics monitor and graphics
card, a mouse, light pen or digitizing tablet for drawing, and a special
printer or plotter for printing design specifications, as well as high
speed CPU's and large amounts of memory (RAM). Computer aided design involves
creating computer models defined by geometrical parameters that appears
on a computer monitor as a three-dimensional representation which can
be readily altered by changing relevant parameters. This neat, clean and
highly presentable CAD drawing have a number of advantages over drawings
created on a drawing board. These electronic drawings can be modified
quite easily; presented in a variety of formats and the existing components
of the drawing can be rearranged to fit the new shape. CAD systems also
allow to view a design from any angle with the push of a button and to
zoom in or out for close-ups and long-distance views. With proper shading
and rendering, the models made by CAD can be made to look exactly like
pictures.
Earlier Computer Aided Design software's were used merely by engineers
especially architectural engineers and mechanical engineers. With the
passage of time, CAD has made its access in all fields where creativity
and designing is required. It is widely used for product design in automotive,
shipbuilding and aerospace industries, prosthetics (artificial device
for replacing missing body part), industrial and architectural design,
and even to produce computer animation in movies, advertisements etc.
As a result, many new career avenues has been opened in the field of CAD.
Now-a-days this technology is used not only by engineers and architects
in their design process, but also other design professionals as well.
The applications of CAD software are mostly allied with engineering
fields like architecture, civil, mechanical, automobile, electrical, interior
design and related firms. All these fields involves lot of designing and
most of the professionals and companies do their designing and drawing
with the CAD software. CAD system enable an engineer / designer to develop
and convey their ideas on screen, take a print out or save it for future
editing and thus save a lot of valuable time on their drawings. It facilitates
lower design costs and a shorter design time. Engineers and designers
use CAD software program in a wide variety of industries to design and
manufacture physical products ranging from buildings, bridges, roads,
aircraft, ships and cars to digital cameras, mobile phones, televisions
etc.
Skilled personals with outstanding drawing skills and computer knowledge
can excel in the field of Computer Aided Design. Professionals working
in computer aided designing jobs are usually called CAD operators or Drafters.
The major tasks performed by these professionals are evaluating, preparing
and producing drawings, and designing layout and sketches using computers.
Plot No. N6/452 , Satyakali Complex ,
Near Hotel The Crown,
Opp. Bank of India Regional office,
IRC Village, Nayapalli , Bhubaneshwar - 751015. (Orissa)
