Computer-aided design (CAD) uses software to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional graphical representations of physical objects. CAD is used throughout the product lifecycle from conceptual design to analysis, documentation, and manufacture. Since emerging in the 1970s, CAD functionality has increased exponentially, allowing for detailed artistic designs and visualization from any angle. CAD reduces the need for prototypes by enabling dynamic analysis of variants and assemblies. It can also quickly 3D print parts while the user waits. All of these advantages lower product development costs, improve quality, and decrease time-to-market.

1. Computer-Aided Design
Computer-aided design (CAD) uses software to create two-dimensional and three-
dimensional graphical representations of physical objects, often referred to as model
renderings or drawings. CAD is heavily used throughout the product lifecycle from
conceptual design and layout to analysis, documentation and manufacture. CAD
software with capabilities beyond simple electronic drafting first emerged in the 1970s,
and included the ability to perform engineering calculations and analyses. Since then
CAD functionality has increased exponentially, giving designers the freedom and fine
control necessary to create detailed artistic industrial designs and visualize components
from any angle as they work.
Due to the fact that CAD can be used to perform dynamic analysis of variants and
assemblies, the software reduces the need to produce prototypes. When prototypes are
necessary, CAD can be used to quickly 3Dprint parts while the user waits, reducing the
time required to produce a physical model. CAD software provides many other benefits
to the design and manufacturing process as well, including better visualization of the
final product, increased accuracy in producing and analyzing constituent parts, and
more detailed documentation. All of these advantages lower product development costs,
improve product quality and decrease the time-to-market.
The CAD revolution continues to pick up speed, fueled by the decreasing cost of software
and increasingly innovative functionality. Some industry experts predict that eventually
we will see CAD transition to a full-immersion 3D environment. In the near future we
can expect to see increasingly robust analytical abilities and associative applications,
further integrating the design, analysis and production process. The incorporation of
cloud technology is making it even easier for teams to collaborate across time zones and
geography, further streamlining the product development process.
The combination of more accessible software and comprehensive functionality has made
CAD the backbone of the entire product development and manufacturing industries,
where it is used to create devices from zippers to houses to jet engines. The increasing
demand for CAD products has created a strong job market for CAD users at all levels,
including engineers, designers and drafting technicians. The manufacturing industry’s
reliance on CAD software ensures that this skillset will be in demand for the foreseeable
future.

2. The Industrial Design to Product Design Process
Figure 1: Hand sketch of
a computer mouse
Figure 2A: 2D CAD model
Figure 3. Intermediate surface model
Figure 4: 3D Surface model
with detailing
Figure 5: Fully rendered solids model
Figure 2B:. 2D CAD model