CHAPTER 1:

INTRODUCTION TO
CAD
ENGR. MARCO B. BULAN, LPT
 INTRODUCTION
Designers generally use drawings to represent the object which they are
designing, and to communicate the design to others. Of course, they will also use
other forms of representation — symbolic and mathematical models, and perhaps
three-dimensional physical models — but the drawing is arguably the most flexible
and convenient of the forms of representation available. Drawings are useful above
all, obviously, for representing the geometrical form of the designed object, and for
representing its appearance. Hence the importance in computer-aided design (CAD)
of the production of visual images by computer, that is computer graphics.
In the process of design, technical drawings are used. Drawings explain the
design and also establish the link between design and manufacture.
HISTORY
Early Foundations (1950s – 1960s)
✓ The roots of CAD can be traced back to the 1950s, when
computers were first used for engineering calculations and
military applications.

What is
✓ In 1963, Ivan Sutherland developed Sketchpad at MIT, often
called the first true CAD system. It allowed users to interact

CAD?
with a computer graphically using a light pen.
✓ Early CAD systems were mainly developed for aerospace
and automotive industries (e.g., General Motors, Boeing),
where complex design and precision were essential.
✓ At this stage, CAD was expensive and only accessible to
large corporations and research institutions.
HISTORY
Commercialization and Expansion (1970s –
1980s)
✓ By the 1970s, large companies began developing proprietary
CAD software for internal use. Examples include CATIA (by
Dassault Systèmes, originally for the French aerospace

What is
industry).
✓ In 1982, AutoCAD was introduced by Autodesk. This was a

CAD?
turning point, as it was affordable and designed to run on
personal computers (PCs), not just large mainframes.
✓ During this period, CAD moved from being an elite tool to
becoming accessible to smaller companies and individual
engineers.
✓ Most CAD in this era was 2D drafting, replicating manual
drawing methods but with faster editing and more accuracy.
HISTORY
Transition to 3D Modeling (1990s)
✓ In the 1990s, CAD software began incorporating 3D modeling
capabilities, which allowed engineers and designers to
visualize objects more realistically.

What is
✓ Parametric modeling was introduced (e.g., Pro/ENGINEER,
SolidWorks). This meant that when one part of the design

CAD?
changed, related parts would automatically update.
✓ 3D CAD quickly became popular in industries like
mechanical engineering, construction, and architecture,
making design work more flexible and dynamic.
HISTORY
Integration and Modern (2000s – Present)
✓ By the 2000s, CAD software expanded beyond just drawing.
It integrated with other technologies like simulation, analysis,
and manufacturing.
✓ CAD tools became part of broader systems like CAM
(Computer-Aided Manufacturing) and CAE (Computer-Aided
Engineering).
✓ Building Information Modeling (BIM) was introduced in civil What is

CAD?
and architectural fields (e.g., Autodesk Revit), allowing
multiple stakeholders to work on the same project digitally.
✓ Cloud-based CAD tools like Fusion 360 and Onshape
appeared, enabling real-time collaboration.
✓ Modern CAD now includes AI-assisted design, VR/AR
visualization, and generative design, where software can
automatically propose optimized design alternatives.
definition
❖ Computer aided drafting (CAD) is a
technique where engineering drawings are
produced with the assistance of a
computer and, as with manual drawing, is
only the graphical means of representing a
design.
What is

CAD?
❖ is a process of preparing a drawing of an
object on the screen of a computer.
definition
❖ The use of CAD process provides enhanced
graphics capabilities which allows any
designer to:
• Conceptualize his ideas
• Modify the design very easily
What is

CAD?
• Perform animation
• Make design calculations
• Use colors, fonts and other aesthetic
features.
What is

CAD?
 APPLICATION OF CAD
✓ Aerospace: Layout drawings, part drawings, sub-assemblies, assemblies
✓ Chemical: Process schematics, process plant layout drawings
✓ Civil, Architecture: Mapping, Building drawing, Structural design, Town planning,
Interior decorations, Multi-storey complex, Surveying etc.
✓ Electrical: Circuit layout, Panel design, Control system etc.
✓ Electronics: Schematic diagrams of PCs, ICs etc.
✓ Industrial and Manufacturing: Manufacturing plant layout drawings, sub-assemblies,
assemblies
✓ Mechanical: Design of machine elements, CNC machine tools, Robots etc.
✓ Automotive : Kinematics, Hydraulics, Steering etc.

IN VARIOUS ENGINEERING FIELD

 APPLICATION OF CAD
The implementation of the CAD system provides variety of benefits
to the industries in design and production as given below:
1. Improved productivity in drafting. 6. Low wastage in drafting.
2. Shorter preparation time for drawing. 7. Minimized transcription errors in
3. Reduced man power requirement. drawing.
4. Customer modifications in drawing 8. Improved accuracy of drawing.
are easier. 9. Assistance in preparation of
5. More efficient operation in drafting. documentation.
10.Better designs can be evolved.

BENEFITS OF CAD
 APPLICATION OF CAD
The implementation of the CAD system provides variety of benefits
to the industries in design and production as given below:
11. Revisions are possible. 16. Preparation of part list.
12. Colors can be used to customize the 17. Machining and tolerance symbols at
product. the required surfaces.
13. Production of orthographic projections 18. Hydraulic and pneumatic circuit
with dimensions and tolerances. diagrams with symbols.
14. Hatching of all sections with different 19. Printing can be done to any scale.
filling patterns.
15. Preparation of assembly or sub assembly
drawings.

BENEFITS OF CAD
 TWO – DIMENSIONAL
Two-dimensional (2D) computer drawing is the representation of an object in
the single-view format which shows two of the three object dimensions or the multi-
view format where each view reveals two dimensions. In both cases, the database
includes just two values for each represented coordinate of the object. It can also be
a pictorial representation if the database contains X, Y coordinates only.
TWO – DIMENSIONAL
 THREE – DIMENSIONAL
Three-dimensional (3D) computer drawing is the process of creating three-
dimensional models using professional CAD software. This type of drafting is used by
specialists in many industries, including architecture, engineering, and construction.
THREE – DIMENSIONAL
INPUT DEVICE
The computer can only accept electronic
signals as information, but there are a plenty of
ways to produce the necessary signals. Some of
these devices are as follows:

Joy stick
Keyboard
(Alphanumeric)
Mouse

Scanner Digitizer

CAD SYSTEM AND HARDWARE

output DEVICE
The purpose of this unit is to produce
the results of the software. The output
from a computer is usually either on the
screen or on paper. Hard copy may be
on a printer on plotter etc. There are
various types of output devices used for
Monitor
CAD are as follows:

Plotter

Storage
Printer

CAD SYSTEM AND HARDWARE

Keyboard
Joy stick CPU
Input Micro-Processor Output Monitor storage
Mouse
Unit Unit Printer/Plotter
Digitizer
Scanner AVL CU

Memory

RAM ROM

CAD SYSTEM AND HARDWARE

Basically, a software is an interpreter which allows the user to perform specific
type of application related to CAD software. There are a number of 2D and 3D
drafting software packages available in the market.

1. Solidworks
2. Inventor
3. Revit
4. AutoCAD
5. Civil 3D
6. Micro-station
7. Catia
8. Siemens NX

CAD SOFTWARE
AutoCAD is a very popular software package that provides computer aided
design and drafting (CADD) capabilities for micro computers. It is a
comprehensive software application that facilitates almost all varieties of 2D
drawing, such as electrical, mechanical, plumbing, Air-conditioning,
architectural etc. AutoCAD has introduced 3D drawings and has started
incorporating the internet and network support.

AutoCAD is accepted as the industry standard and it is preferred by a large

community of CAD users in the world. Although AutoCAD is available for a
variety of computer systems, majority of AutoCAD implementations are
available on IBM or compatible personal computers with Windows operating
system. AutoCAD can be used with many engineering design programs and
can be used separately if needed.

CAD SOFTWARE
 ACTIVITY 1
1. Name at least 5 benefits of CAD.
2. The use of CAD process provides enhanced graphics capabilities
which allows any designer to ______________ (name at least 3
things).
3. What is Computer Aided Drafting?