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What is AutoCAD? How is AutoCAD used?

Are you interested in knowing what AutoCAD is? Are you also interested in getting information on how to use AutoCAD to create 2D and 3D CAD designs? We have provided answers to these questions below and also information on some of the best training resources for learning how to use AutoCAD.

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a computer-aided drafting (CAD) software application developed by Autodesk that enables drafters, architects, engineers, and other professionals to create two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models of mesh and solid surfaces. Prior to computer-aided drafting, manual hand drafting tools such as drafting boards and pencils, inking pens, parallel rules, compasses, and triangles only offered a subset of what can now be done with programs such as AutoCAD. Since its original release in 1982, AutoCAD quickly became the most widely used CAD program in the world because of its robust set of automated drafting tools and features. AutoCAD allows you to visually design and explore your conceptual design ideas, modify your designs using 3D free-form design tools, generate intelligent model documentation, transform your designs into 3D renderings, and turn them into cinematic-quality animated presentations. Autodesk has also developed a few other variants of AutoCAD that address discipline-specific needs. These programs include AutoCAD Architecture, Civil 3D, Electrical, Map 3D, Mechanical, Plant 3D, MEP, P&ID, and AutoCAD LT.

What are the benefits of using AutoCAD?

Individuals who work in or are currently pursuing careers in the architecture, mechanical or engineering fields will discover many benefits of using AutoCAD. The design aggregation and documentation tools built into AutoCAD not only maximize productivity but also help to streamline your design and documentation workflows, speeding projects from design to completion while automating the tedious drafting tasks that would normally be done by hand. With AutoCAD, surfaces, solids, and offset curves can be dynamically created and manipulated using context-sensitive PressPull operations. 3D models can be imported directly into AutoCAD from a variety of applications, including SolidWorks, CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, Rhinoceros, and NX products and services allowing you to easily create intelligent 2D views. With Point Cloud tools, scanned objects can be imported with up to 2 billion data points, allowing existing environmental data to be used to help you start your projects. Physical 3D prototypes of your designs can be quickly created using AutoCAD's 3D printing capabilities. With Autodesk Inventor file import support, AutoCAD allows you to import models from Inventor while maintaining a relationship between the AutoCAD and Inventor files. AutoCAD offers many other tools and features that can enhance productivity such as PDF Support, DWG Convert, Materials Library, Social Media Sharing, AutoCAD WS, Autodesk 360 Connectivity, and much more.

How is AutoCAD used?

AutoCAD is used by professionals across many industries to do everything from designing and building show floor exhibits that demand attention to the complex design and construction of the National Stadium Brasilia; a solar powered stadium that seats over 71,000 people and will be used to host major soccer events such as the Confederations Cup, the FIFA World Cup, and the Copa America. AutoCAD has many uses and is even being leveraged by industries beyond the architectural and mechanical fields. For example, custom stage design companies may use the 3D modeling tools within AutoCAD to turn creative ideas into detailed conceptual designs that they are confident about because they can visualize nearly exactly what they need to build. In the case of custom window design companies, AutoCAD software may be used to create an online library of customizable window designs to help customers configure orders and request quotes more quickly and easily. In the case of set and lighting design companies, AutoCAD may be used in conjunction with 3ds Max to design sets and lighting in 3D and develop near-photorealistic visualizations of events to review with their clients. Ultimately, AutoCAD enables companies to design and plan projects virtually. This, in turn, increases productivity, reduces the time it takes for decision makers to make more informed choices, and significantly lowers the cost it takes to confidently complete major projects.

About AUTOCAD
About AUTOCAD 3D
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7 Reasons why you need to Learn How to Use AutoCAD

 Tutorial45 CAD

Approximately a hundred years ago, the world was plunged into the industrial age which saw giants like John Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie and Henry Ford change the way people worked manufactured items as well as lived in those days. It goes without saying that these great men who took advantage of this age gained great personal wealth and also left their footprints in the sand of time for humanity to emulate.

And once again, the world has found itself in another golden age—the tech age—where flawless design and the ability to create innovative items or processes for doing things is king. This makes it safe to say that developing your ability to design creative innovations can pave the way to success for every individual motivated enough to master the craft of design. So how can learning AutoCADhelp you be successful?

Gaining a Craft

The ability to design with AutoCAD is definitely a craft that gives you the needed technical expertise needed to pursue a professional career in various fields—engineering, architecture, interior design, manufacturing, project management etc.—were organization and aesthetic design are king. With this skill, you can take on designing projects as either a hubby or a source of income to supplement your core source of income.

Choosing a Profession

As a prospective student of architecture, engineering and interior design, a simple search on pre-requisite subjects for studying these courses will include the need to be AutoCAD literate. Also, AutoCAD as a course of study will definitely be encountered down the line when studying these courses. Therefore, pursuing a professional course in architecture and engineering is definitely a reason to be a student of AutoCAD.

Getting Paid

Having the ability to design working prototypes of engineering components as well as draft architectural plans are skills that can easily be monetized due to the high demand for design professionals in these industry verticals. Therefore, for those looking to kick-start a career where you can earn a good living as a technical designer, then learning the basics of AutoCAD should be your first step in building an impressive working portfolio. Consequently, you can then seek jobs on freelancing platforms like elance and freelancer.com, where the demand for designers is high.

Taking Up Additive Manufacturing

3D printing which just happens to be the rave of the manufacturing industry relies heavily on CAD designs for models that can be used as prototype for printing objects. This reliance is due to the very high level of accuracy using AutoCAD brings to designing a model. Therefore, individuals who plan to 3D print either domestic or intricate objects need to definitely work on their CAD modeling abilities to simplify the additive manufacturing process.

Building the Foundation for Mastering other CAD Interfaces

The minimalistic interface AutoCAD presents makes learning how to use its design tools quite easy. But more importantly, having a comprehensive knowledge of the AutoCAD interface makes learning to use more advanced CAD software applications far easier than if you were starting from scratch. Therefore knowledge of AutoCAD can transfer itself to using Microstation, Solid Works, Solid Edge among others.

Furniture Designing and Arrangement

For most people who have visited Ikea’s online store and tried to use its furniture arrangement software to pick furniture from its inventory and arrange it to meet your specific aesthetic taste, that experience might be your first with a CAD application. Now, Imagine having the ability to design your own furniture right from scratch, design a virtual room with the exact dimensions of your physical room and arranging these furniture to meet your exact requirements would feel.

This and much more are some of the tasks you can accomplish with the right knowledge of AutoCAD. Furniture manufactures and interior decorators can also take advantage of the creativity AutoCAD offers to create prototypes and designs for their clients before proceeding to manufacture or design the actual product or room.

Teaching Your Kids to be productive

With the advent of smart devices and customized personal computers for kids, the development of applications designed to teach kids how to accomplish certain tasks has become rampant and the field of computer aided design has not been left out. Autodesk has developed apps that can create interfaces that look just like its more advanced designed software the AutoCAD for kids and having some knowledge of AutoCAD is definitely required to use these apps. Therefore as a parent, understanding the practical uses of the software gives you the knowledge required to teach your kid thereby introducing him or her to pursuing a career in engineering or architecture.

These are our reasons and we would definitely appreciate any other ideas or reasons you have. So please join the conversation by commenting in the comment box below.

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