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.
PTC also offers a cloud-native CAD platform built for agile hardware teams of all sizes. Onshape offers combined CAD and PDM that requires zero IT support, never crashes, and never loses data.
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.
PTC’s CAD Products
Creo—Deliver your best designs in less time
Creo is the enterprise-grade CAD solution for complex product development, integrating the entire workflow into one robust and reliable system. Creo offers integrated Ansys simulation, model-based definition, AI-powered generative design, and advanced CAM, including composites and additive manufacturing. Its tight integration with Windchill and open architecture enable seamless data flow across engineering and manufacturing. Unlike other CAD systems, Creo offers infinite scalability, tailored workflows, and unmatched large assembly performance.
Onshape—Modernize your product design process
Onshape is the cloud-native CAD platform built for agile hardware teams of all sizes. It requires zero IT support, never crashes, and never loses data. By combining CAD and PDM in a single, always-current environment, it enables real-time collaboration across global teams. Unlike other CAD systems, Onshape runs in a web browser with no downloads, installs, or manual updates—just instant access and productivity.
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.
AI for CAD
Creo AI Assistant
Advise, Assist, and Automate with the Creo AI Assistant. In every seat of Creo, Advise provides model-agnostic LLM-based Creo guidance to accelerate workflows. Assist (beta) provides model-specific insights, troubleshooting, and validation directly in your Creo workflow. Automate (alpha) provides sophisticated design and geometry-level intelligence to understand CAD geometry and create, modify, or optimize designs.
Onshape AI Advisor
The Onshape AI Advisor is a built-in assistant that helps CAD users work more efficiently by answering questions, suggesting next steps, and guiding workflows directly within the Onshape interface. Grounded in Onshape’s library of training materials, users can ask natural questions about Onshape’s cloud-native CAD and PDM platform and get guidance on modeling tasks, feature usage, and best practices.
CAD Solutions for Industry Innovation
At the heart of what’s possible, sits a CAD system that delivers the capabilities you need. Check out below to see how Creo and Onshape are used across industries.
Aerospace & Defense
Aerospace and defense companies rely on PTC’s CAD solutions to manage complex, mission-critical development. Creo provides powerful parametric and simulation-driven tools with deep Windchill integration for traceability and compliance. Integrated tools for MBD, manufacturing, AI, and more ensure organizations can move as fast as possible for any project. Onshape delivers secure, cloud-native collaboration with built-in PDM, granular access controls, and real-time versioning, with cloud architecture that supports rapid iteration, supplier engagement, and stringent security needs, including Onshape Government. Creo and Onshape offer a robust, future-ready CAD foundation for innovation across the aerospace and defense lifecycle.
Automotive
Automotive teams face pressure to deliver higher-quality products at lower cost, and PTC’s CAD solutions help them move faster. Creo equips engineers with powerful parametric design, real-time Ansys simulation, AI, generative design, and advanced model-based tools—along with support for standards like JT and STEP AP242, robust cabling and harness design, and manufacturing capabilities that reduce cycle times. Onshape delivers cloud-native speed and flexibility, enabling real-time collaboration across global teams and rapid early-stage iteration as vehicles become more electrified, software-driven, and modular. Creo and Onshape each give automotive teams the agility to innovate quickly and efficiently.
Electronics & High-Tech
Electronics and high-tech companies face rapid product cycles and rising expectations for breakthrough innovation, and PTC’s CAD solutions help teams keep pace. Creo provides advanced generative design, simulation, and additive manufacturing capabilities that enable high-quality, precise designs and faster time to market. Onshape delivers cloud-native speed and real-time collaboration across mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing stakeholders, with built-in PDM ensuring design changes stay tracked, accessible, and current. Creo and Onshape each give electronics and high-tech teams the agility and precision needed to deliver cutting-edge products.
Industrials
Industrial manufacturers face rising product complexity, tighter margins, and pressure to deliver faster, and PTC’s CAD solutions help teams meet these demands. Creo provides comprehensive 3D modeling, advanced simulation, and model-based definition—supporting heavy equipment, machinery, tooling, and industrial component design with capabilities like performance simulation, design automation, product family generation, and seamless PLM integration to reduce errors and accelerate manufacturable designs. Onshape delivers cloud-native collaboration, real-time design reuse, and configuration management that support distributed engineering teams and eliminate the burden of managing files, servers, or software updates. Creo and Onshape each give industrial manufacturers a modern, efficient foundation for building robust, configurable, and high-quality products.
MedTech
Medical device development demands precision, safety, and speed, and PTC’s CAD solutions help teams meet these requirements. Creo enables engineers to visualize, simulate, and refine complex geometries early in the process, streamlining workflows, reducing prototyping cycles, and supporting cost-effective production of patient-specific and low-volume devices through integrated 3D printing. Its high-fidelity models enhance testing, virtual validation, and regulatory compliance, while model-based enterprise (MBE) capabilities ensure consistency, traceability, and faster time to market. Onshape delivers a cloud-native platform that provides built-in PDM, real-time version control, audit-ready design history, and secure collaboration—allowing MedTech teams to iterate quickly, maintain design integrity, and coordinate efficiently across distributed, regulated environments. Creo and Onshape each give medical device companies a robust, modern foundation for rapid, high-quality innovation.
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.
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.
Engineering Calculations
Engineering Calculations are the foundation of technical applications, enabling engineers to capture, validate, share, and leverage their knowledge to make informed product design decisions.