Computer aided design, better known as CAD, deals with a huge range of computer related tools and applications. These tools are designed to be helpful to architects, computer and design professionals in their respective work and activities. Nowadays business organizations offering services like 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and solid design modelers have started using CAD as their fundamental system. The whole process of designing with the help of CAD includes both software and sometimes specially created hardware.

CAD drafting is used for a variety of purposes digitization of architectural paper plans of industrial and residential constructions, drafting of facility drawings such as HVAC plans, electric plans, pipeline plans, and space planning calculations, digitization of survey site plans, landscape drawings, ground cadastre plans, city plans, road network plans, tools and machinery used to make components etc. CAD used to mean only automated drafting. But now it also includes 3D modeling and computer-simulated operation of the model. CAD enables engineers, consultants, and researchers to use computers to simulate operational data to determine loads and stresses instead of having to build prototypes and change components to determine the effects of tolerance ranges.

Large automotive, aerospace and electronics were the first to use CAD drafting. These included companies like GM, Lockheed, Bell and Renault. But with computers becoming more affordable, CAD drafting has become almost universal. The development of software for personal computers has given an added impetus to CAD.

CAD drafting can be done in either 2D or 3D dimensions. CAD and GIS software packages such as AutoCAD (from AutoDesk), VectorWorks, Microstation, Smallworld, TurboCAD, QCad, ArchiCad, IntelliCAD offer 2D/3D vector-based drafting and 3D solid and surface modelers such as ProE, Catia, SolidWorks, TrueSpace, LightWorks offer mechanical engineering drawing capabilities. They also allow rotations in three dimensions, which mean that an object can be viewed from any angle, even from the inside. There are many producers of the lower-end 2D systems, including a number of free and open source programs. 3D wireframe is an extension of 2D drafting. Each line has to be manually inserted into the drawing. The final product has no mass properties associated with it and cannot have features directly added to it, such as holes. The operator approaches these in a similar fashion to the 2D systems, although many 3D systems allow using the wireframe model to make the final engineering drawing views.

Indian outsourcing companies have had considerable success in attracting business from the West and other developed countries. India has a vast pool of trained architects and draftsmen who can provide high-quality drafting services at a fraction of the cost. Typical of such companies is the Bhubaneswar-based AABSyS, which has seen rapid growth in business turnover and profits in the ten years since it began operations. The company has a growing client list that includes companies in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. The companys range of services include 2D and 3D CAD conversion, Cad Drafting, GIS Mapping, 3D CAD Modeling and 3D rendering services.

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