What Is CAD?
CAD is software used to create mechanical and architectural drawings.
In the past, all drawings were created by hand, which required an enormous amount of work time. Today, CAD allows drawings to be digitized, greatly reducing the time spent on drawing.
There are two main types of CAD: 2D and 3D.
While 2D CAD has been the most common type of CAD, more and more companies are adopting 3D CAD in recent years.
3D drawings created with 3D functionality can be expanded into a plan view and viewed from any angle. In fact, manufacturing and construction companies use CAD drawings as the basis for their production.
CAD with 3D functionality has different areas of expertise depending on the software sold. It is divided into a solid type suitable for structural drawing and a surface type suitable for design drawing and can be selected according to the purpose of use.
Uses of CAD
The use of CAD depends on the purpose of the created drawings: 2D CAD drawings are used for dimensional control of manufactured products, while 3D CAD drawings are used to grasp the shape of manufactured products.
With 2D CAD, hand-drawn drawings can be digitized, but visual spatial recognition is not possible. On the other hand, 3D CAD makes it easy to visualize the completed product, but the time and cost required for the work are inflated. In design companies, 2D CAD and 3D CAD are used in parallel for product development, so drafting CAD is used for different purposes.
Principles of CAD
Line data in 2D CAD is composed of shape parameters such as lines and circles, and position parameters such as start point, endpoint, and center point. Various shapes can be expressed by adding information such as color, line type, and line thickness to the line segment.
1. Solid Type 3D CAD
A shape drawn on a specified plane can be moved in three dimensions to create a three-dimensional object based on the trajectory of the shape. For example, drawing a rectangle on a plane and moving the rectangle perpendicular to the plane creates a rectangle. It is often used in mechanical design where the image of processing is easy to imagine.
2. Surfaces Type 3D CAD
A plane is created by connecting line segments, and a three-dimensional object is created by joining the two planes.
This CAD software can draw smooth curved surfaces by connecting curves to curves, and by editing the line segments in the middle of the curved surface, it is possible to create even more diverse curved surfaces.
Other Information About CAD
Qualifications for CAD
CAD is a design method used in all fields of mechanical, electrical, and architectural design, etc. Some examples of CAD certifications are listed below.
1. CAD User Engineer Examination
This is the largest CAD certification examination in Japan. The examinations are subdivided by purpose, such as Tracing Level 1, Architecture Level 1, Machinery Level 1 and 2, and the Basic Examination. The pass rate is about 80% for basic exams and about 30-40% for other grades.
2. Architectural CAD Certification Examination
This is said to be the largest architectural exam. The examinations are classified into levels such as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4, and the higher the level, the lower the passing rate. In the 1st grade, which has a pass rate of about 10%, there is an exam in which you trace a given assignment drawing. The amount and density of the drawings are almost the same as the design drawing test for the first-class architect examination, so a high level of technical ability is required.
3. CAD Practice Career Certification System
This system evaluates and judges the skills, techniques, and morals required for practical work, and is sometimes used for corporate training.
4. Autodesk Certification Program
This is a certification program sponsored by the well-known CAD software AutoCAD and is a suitable examination to prove the technical ability of AutoCAD.
5. Mechanical and plant drafting technician
This is a national certification for draftsmen. Courses are divided into two types: hand-drawn and CAD. The government guarantees the skills of the applicant, so it is a highly reliable examination.