About Computer Aided Drafting and Design

In the olden days, architects and engineers worked with drafting boards, and in the case of some hobbyist or traditional professionals, still do. These were tools that let them plan and draw their ideas with exacting precision, and it's the spirit of the drafting board that has been translated into computer drafting and design programs. These are tools that allow the designer to execute a vision easily and precisely.

2D Drafting

Computer aided drafting programs are very similar to one another, and mimic the ability to draw on a drafting board for the designer in many ways. They traditionally allow the precise laying of lines in 2d space, with features to increase designer accuracy. Geometric shapes and lines are laid with typed specifications, and there are tools to place objects in specific relation to one another, such as in the placement of tangent lines. This kind of drafting is useful for floor plans and other forms of large-scale planning, but is also appropriate for designing machines and single physical objects.

3D Drafting

With the advance of technology, many designing programs have begun to implement the ability to create and work with precise 3D objects. 3D Models can be extruded from 2D plans, or the designer can work actively in 3D space. The models generated here are often used to represent physical objects with moving parts, like motors. Certain programs that can animate this 3D world allow the designer to see how different components interact with one another. Unlike traditional 2D drafting, which is done by defining measurements as lines are laid, 3D drafting is often done with relative measurements, such as: "this edge will always be two thirds the diameter of this circle."

Industry Standard

Though there are many design programs out there, the architectural industry tends to adopt AutoCAD or Rivet as primary programs. In fact, the companies that produce these products offer certification tests and degrees that are widely recognized and well valued. A company-sponsored certificate is likely to be more credible on a resume than any length of experience spent on lightweight or hobbyist drafting programs.