What is autocad software?

AutoCAD is a software designed by Autodesk dedicatedly for computer aided drafting. It is extensively used by professionals in the field of architecture, construction, engineering, students, design and manufacturing. It helps in a great extent in creating and drawing 2D and 3D models and drawings that are used mostly by mechanical and civil engineering students and professionals.

Prior to the introduction of AutoCAD, it was only with pen and paper that the designs and blueprints were drawn and designed by architects and designers. However, with the gradual usage of AutoCAD, the designer community intensively liked the advantages it offered and the way it helped to reduce their effort and saving time. Thus, AutoCAD gained immense popularity very soon it was released in 1982 and is widely in existence till date.

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Often, professionals who use AutoCAD are referred to as ‘drafters’. The reason behind this term is that it was this single tool that replaced the entire kit – drawing boards, pencils, rulers, protractors, set squares and other such objects –that were really a mandate for creation of designs and models previously.

The benefit of AutoCAD does not end just with this. Besides easing the drawing and creation of engineering models and designs, AutoCAD has many other features too. Drafters can create animated presentations and 3D views of the interior and exterior of the designs, that too with unmatched clarity and ease.

Since its inception, AutoCAD underwent many developments and inclusions and as of now, it has a very rich set of functionalities, tools and programs. With no doubt, AutoCAD is the most sought after software that every person aspiring to make a career in architecture and construction, design and development of machinery and automotive should learn and expertise.

Drawing itself is a great art that needs two main skills: a lot of creativity and patience. And when it comes to engineering design and drawing, precision, clarity, budget, meeting the expectations of the final output, etc. are many other factors that get added to these skills.

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AutoCAD is a saviour in this respect. It offers copious benefits to its users and makes their life simple and happy. Some of the benefits that AutoCAD offers to drafters are listed below:

• AutoCAD entirely eliminates the need of drawing by hand, and greatly speeds up the process of design and documentation of a model from end to end.
• Sharing and collaboration of a model designed in AutoCAD is easier than sharing a hard copy of hand drawn diagram. This feature makes it easier for a team for brainstorming, making changes and finalising a design.
• Most engineering shapes are complex to draw in hand, contain intricate details and the engineer has to meet every minute aspect of the final product in his drawing. This becomes simpler when they use AutoCAD.
• AutoCAD eases the dynamic creation of surfaces such as rough curves, cylinders and any other shapes, and helps to visualise them with perfect clarity. This helps a lot in taking decisions, making changes to the design and to consider the cost of the project, etc.
• AutoCAD has another feature that lets drafters to import a variety of applications into the drawings. For example, any other drawing that is previously drawn in other application such as Rhinoceros or CATIA, can be easily imported and worked upon in AutoCAD.
• Millions of data points can be easily accessed and worked with in AutoCAD; thus working with complex designs is a breeze with AutoCAD.

AutoCAD is widely used in many domains of engineering design and modelling purposes. The software fits all the needs of each professional ranging from student level to expert in engineering design and development.

AutoCAD is widely used in many ways as listed below:

• Many renowned companies in mechanical engineering, construction and civil engineering use AutoCAD as their primary tool. In fact, this is one of the technical skills they look for in a candidate before they hire into their core team.
• Architectural wonders of the world such as renowned bridges, building and man-made islands – all took their birth in the design form in AutoCAD software only.
• The design and blueprint of heavy machinery and automotive takes place in the hands of engineers and finds their modelling in AutoCAD itself.
• AutoCAD designs play a key role in deciding the budget and the cost of manufacture of a product. This is because, with AutoCAD it is possible to determine the width, depth and thickness of the parts and how cost it incurred for their manufacturing process.
• Many companies have their custom designs in AutoCAD and they customize the final product as per the customer’s taste using this tool only.
• Virtual designing of projects is another attractive feature of AutoCAD. Buildings, sets for construction and their decoration and lighting effects all can be visualised virtually in AutoCAD. This helps very much in taking final decision before the final actual construction is made, gives enhanced productivity, thus saving lot of time, effort and cost.