How has computer-aided design (CAD) revolutionized the way engineers and designers create products? What initially ran on UNIX systems that were expensive and required steep learning curves are now available on user-friendly, integrated, and affordable personal computers that anyone can learn.
The 1990s was when CAD became significantly more popular as it became cheaper and easier to use the software on Windows personal computers and did not require expensive hardware or years of learning to use optimally. As a result, CAD became a very important tool for industries such as manufacturing and robotics to consumer electronics and education. Now, anyone from design enthusiasts to children can learn how to use CAD in just a few months.
With the incorporation of AI and machine learning into the CAD design process in recent years, AI tools such as virtual design and generative design assistants are making CAD even more accessible and streamlining the product development process like never before. These advancements not only enhance the user experience but also enable engineers and designers to work more efficiently.
Source: SolidWorks
