CAD software, also known as computer-aided design software, helps product developers create 2D and 3D digital replications. Developers can use 2D drawings and 3D models to accurately explore a design before spending time building the design. However, not all developers like to use CAD software and some prefer to design by hand. Let’s look at the top three reasons why you might benefit from using CAD modeling software.
1) It’s Easier
What do you do when you need to share a design with numerous team members, some remote? You need a medium to share designs that can be easily understood and used by everyone. CAD software does this in a way that hand designs cannot. Marketing and sales teams for a company can even use the designs and get a better understanding of how something works. These designs can be used to demonstrate work and to woo investors. Using CAD software helps streamline the collaboration process. You can easily communicate among team members and share complex design concepts easily.
Some might argue that CAD software is difficult to learn and that investment makes it “harder.” The truth is that you can learn the basics of CAD modeling software within 2-3 months and can be proficient in a year. As technological software progresses, CAD becomes more powerful and likely to be used by companies. Learning the software is an investment in a developer or engineer’s career. It’s a worthwhile skill to learn. Even those who ultimately do not learn CAD modeling can benefit from spending time viewing the 3D models and visualizing products and designs.
2) Visualization Matters
With CAD software models, you can visualize the product as a 3D image instead of a 2D drawing on a pad of paper. Visualization leads to higher-quality designs. You can see what might work and what might not, as well as faster and easily changed designs. You can “try out” numerous designs without committing to the manufacturing process. That alone is usually worth it for most industries and the reason they choose to use CAD software. Furthermore, the 3D visualization offered by CAD software enhances the design process and facilitates effective communication with stakeholders who might not have much technical knowledge. It’s a visual and interactive approach that allows for insightful feedback and leads to truly innovative designs.
3) It’s Faster
Many writers often type out their ideas instead of handwriting them because it helps them get their ideas out faster. The same can be said for engineers and developers with CAD software. CAD lets you quickly express your ideas faster than you could to a drafting person without any communication issues. The moment you have an idea, you can express it via software, and it becomes second nature. The speed of ideas helps developers isolate the best ones and leads to better results.
Using CAD modeling software is a great way to engineer the perfect product and create the ideal design. You can develop, modify, and optimize the design process to create higher-quality products. It’s not a necessity, but it’s one of the best software additions to a design team.
