Perfect yourself at 3D with CAD

By Ruchi Shrimali

CAD, CAM and CAE are three programs that form the backbone of engineering these days. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) makes designing a breeze allowing one to manipulate a part of a design without having to re-do the whole work. Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) helps in setting and running the whole manufacturing process, including programming robots used for industrial purposes; and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) helps engineers to create virtual models of a product and study its behaviour. While CAM and CAE are strictly for engineers, CAD has proved itself quite useful to architects, fashion designers, video game artists, and interior designers.

Whether it is a building, a machine, or a dress, CAD experts can render them in 2D as well as 3D. Using a repository of existing shapes and designs, the process of designing becomes a lot faster using CAD. 3D models also make it easier for a layman, possibly a client or a customer, to visualise how a design will look like as an end-product. CAD models can also be viewed from different viewpoints and can easily be changed according to the clients' wishes.

Know more about CAD for engineers

Engineers expert in CAD easily find jobs in manufacturing firms, aerospace and automobile industries, industrial and architectural designing firms, shipbuilding companies and research and development firms. But even those who have not done engineering find that CAD can be quite a value-addition to their resume.

CAD professionals can work with architects, fashion designers, hair stylists, makeup artists, video game creators, and interior designers who need to come up with ways to translate their high-flying designs to laymen. CAD specialists can also help them create new designs by using elements of their older designs, and modify their existing designs to suit the needs of their clients.

Advertising and film industry, and media industry in general, often use CAD systems for special effects. Graphic artists, multimedia designers and production artists are often adept in CAD. Read more about CAD/CAM/CAE

Find institutes offering CAD/CAM/CAE courses.