The CAD software available today from companies like Autodesk have new built in features that allow CAD designers to design 3D models in half the time it once took.
CAD Drafting is the new standard for creating technical drawings for architecture, mechanical, civil, electrical, plumbing, and more. The CAD software available today from companies like Autodesk have new built in features that allow CAD designers to design 3D models in half the time it once took. If you can take advantage of these commands, and mix that with a few secrets of the trade, it's a recipe for precise design in half the time. If you listen to some of the hints I give you here, and put them to practice it'll be no time before your designing like a pro.
When first learning the skill of CAD drafting you learn how to create lines, circles, radius, and arcs at certain dimensions, to create 2D drawings. If you take advantage of the commands within the software you can design anything whether it's architecture, or mechanical much faster. Offset is one of the commands that comes in useful almost every time. This will allow you to spread out a single line or multiple lines to whatever measurement you input. Copy when used correctly can save large amounts of time. This allows the CAD Drafter to basically copy any objects drawn and place them wherever. Mirroring is one of my favorite commands. Most designs have lines and other objects equidistant from a point in the center of the design. If you split the design in half, draw it, and perform the mirror command with the point of mirror in the center point we discussed, you can getaway with only drafting half of the design.
Those commands will help you achieve your design faster for 2D designs, but when 3D modeling there's a couple more you need to know about. The first and most well know 3D command is extrude. This is the process of transforming a polyline(combination of lines that connect) into a three dimensional object. One thing most people don't realize is that it can be used to cut out areas as well. Once you've mastered this command the next on the list would be revolve.
Revolve allows a polyline to revolve around a center axis. For curved 3D surfaces extrude doesn't work, but revolve will. One of my favorite commands for 3D CAD is the circular pattern command. It also works for 2D drawing, but it can really come in handy when designing 3D models. With this command you can take any feature on your design, copy it to other areas on an axis you choose, revolve them 360 degrees, and decide how many times you want it placed. All of the copied features are equally spaced allowing for precise designs. It saves tons of time from having to measure certain angles, and dimensions.
If you use the commands within the software correctly, and at the right stage within the design you can be extremely efficient. The most important thing to know when CAD drafting is where to start your design. Before you start designing think about the commands at your disposal, and how you can get the most design out of the least steps. Most CAD designers just start drawing, and before they know it, they can't design certain aspects of the drawing without having to take extra steps that weren't necessary. Make sure you always contemplate the most direct path to achieving your design. If you do this, and use all the available commands, your on your way to becoming a great CAD Designer
Prototype and Invention Designers
A concept design is one which is usually performed by an artist, engineer, or CAD drafting service.
Mechanical Drafter
Mechanical drafting is the art of creating 3D models with CAD or computer aided drafting and design. These computer programs design 3D models which can be read by CNC machines and other manufacturing equipment.
Online and Local CAD Drafting Companies
There is only so much business a company can get from it's local resources, and the internet can expose a company to the entire world with the right marketing techniques.
