What is CAD?
Computer-aided design (CAD) is a way to digitally create 2D drawings and 3D models of real-world products before they’re ever manufactured. With 3D CAD, you can share, review, simulate, and modify designs easily, opening doors to innovative and differentiated products that get to market fast.
In 1985, Dr. Samuel Geisberg formed Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) and defined a radically new approach for CAD software. This innovation produced the first parametric and feature-based solid modeling CAD software in the market, which today is known as Creo, the industry standard for product design and development software.
More than 30 years later, the product development industry is beginning to adopt the next wave of technology-driven innovation, as so many other industries already have.
What is a CAD drawing?
A computer-aided design (CAD) drawing is a digital representation of an object, structure, or system created using specialized software to create precise and detailed visual plans. CAD drawings, utilized across various industries, such as architecture, engineering, and manufacturing, enhance accuracy and efficiency in the design process by streamlining development and production workflows.
How to choose CAD software
The mechanical 3D CAD buyer's guide helps you score and select the software that's the best fit for your organization. Using a 7-step process, you'll go through a worksheet of must-have fundamentals like sketching and parts and assembly modeling along with weighing more recent innovations like augmented reality and model-based definition.
Artificial intelligence in CAD
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the CAD industry by enhancing design efficiency, accuracy, and innovation. AI-driven tools leverage machine learning algorithms to automate repetitive tasks, generate optimized designs, and predict potential issues before they arise. This not only accelerates the design process but also improves the quality and functionality of the final product. AI-powered generative design and simulations enable engineers to test multiple scenarios quickly, enabling greater design exploration, reducing the need for physical prototypes, and minimizing costs.
Explore Creo's advanced toolset to see how we enable users to expand deeper functionality. From generative design and additive manufacturing to simulation and analysis, learn more about Creo's capabilities in 3D part and assembly design, analysis, manufacturing, and more.
2D drawings
2D drawings serve as blueprints or guides for more complex structures and concepts that help designers and engineers to communicate their ideas effectively and lay the groundwork for further development.
3D design
3D design creates lifelike representations of objects, environments, and characters with advanced software tools.
Additive Manufacturing (AM)
Additive manufacturing can help develop innovative designs, optimize, and print to a variety of printers—all in service of improving quality while reducing costs.
Assembly drawings
Assembly drawings are technical illustrations, including dimensions, materials, and specifications, that guide workers in assembling product or system parts.
Assembly modeling
Assembly modeling involves assembling individual components into a complete, functional system to see how components fit and operate ahead of physical production.
CAM software
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software automates and optimizes production for precise control over machine tools, reduced human error, and enhanced efficiency.
Composite part design and manufacturing
Composite part design and manufacturing in engineering involves combining two or more materials to produce properties that are superior to individual components.
Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE)
Computer-aided engineering (CAE) helps engineers to optimize their products for performance, reliability, and safety with computer software and tools.
Concept design
Concept design transforms ideas into visual representations, ensuring that the final design aligns with the project’s objectives and user needs.
Generative design
Generative design helps designers leverage software by inputting specific parameters to produce innovative and efficient solutions.
Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing provides a comprehensive system to define and communicate engineering tolerances with symbols.
Model-Based Definition (MBD)
Model-based definition is a method of understanding and describing complex systems using mathematical and computational models.
Model-Based Enterprise (MBE)
A model-based enterprise utilizes detailed 3D models and simulations as a central point, enabling efficient workflow and rapid iterations based on real-time data.
MultiCAD
MultiCAD refers to the use of multiple computer-aided design (CAD) software programs and tools in a single project or workflow for greater flexibility and efficiency in design processes.
Simulation and analysis
Validate virtual 3D prototype performance to understand how designs perform in real-world conditions and test the stresses and loads of your design.
PTC’s CAD Products
Creo—Deliver your best designs in less time
Creo delivers the most scalable range of 3D CAD product development packages and tools in today’s market. Its variety of specific features, capabilities, and tools help engineers imagine, design, and create their products better. Creo includes breakthrough capabilities in additive manufacturing, generative design, IoT (Internet of Things), model-based definition (MBD), and augmented reality (AR).
Empower your engineering teams with our robust design system to:
- Perform structural, thermal, modal, fatigue, motion, and mold analysis, toggling between steady-state and transient simulation
- Create multibody modeling and exclude construction bodies from BOM information and mass property calculations
- Run generative studies based on both engineering requirements, as well as manufacturing methods
Onshape—Modernize your product design process
The industry’s first pure Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product development platform unites robust computer-aided design (CAD) with powerful data management, collaboration tools, and real-time analytics. The cloud-native solution is a perfect fit for companies requiring the flexibility of remote design teams, enabling engineers to work together from anywhere, any time, and on any device.
Quickly deploy Onshape on any computer or mobile device to enable your teams with:
- Real-time design views and collaborative workflows for interactive design reviews and concurrent design edits
- Built-in version control and data management to eliminate the need for separate PDM (Product Data Management) systems
- In-sync bill of materials (BOM) tables with editing assemblies
- A robust REST API for improved integrations across your systems
- Increased security from role-based access, AES-256 encryption, and more
Put the power of the cloud to work for you with Creo+
Creo+ combines the power and proven functionality of Creo, delivered via SaaS, with new cloud-based tools to enhance collaboration, improve accessibility for engineers, and simplify license management for CAD administrators. Creo+ is compatible with on-premises versions of Creo for better interaction with engineering colleagues and suppliers.
How is CAD software used?
Computer-aided design (CAD) software is widely used across various industries to create precise drawings and technical illustrations, empowering engineers and designers to transform concepts into 2D and 3D models. See how top companies harness CAD software to enable the creation of complex designs with innovation and efficiency.