Creating 3D CAD models is a perfect way to discover the ins and outs of any part or assembly. It is also an ideal avenue to learn about – and hone skills in – how to use some of the features…
Top 20 3D CAD Models to Try Out
CAD
CAD has revolutionized the way we approach and think about design. Today, there are few industries which haven’t been impacted by the creative possibilities opened up by CAD software. As the digital economy booms, CAD has expanded outside of its traditional fields of architecture and engineering, and has become the go-to design tool for game designers and digital content creators. This category plunges headfirst into the world of CAD. We talk about the software that can help you make an impact; the new developments that are changing the design world; and the wide range of applications that go far beyond our traditional perceptions of what CAD is and does.
Best Architectural CAD Software Choices in 2023
The selection of architectural CAD software is vast and varied. Given that each option has distinct characteristics, finding the best architecture program can be challenging. Fortunately, we intend to simplify the decision-making process by helping you narrow down the extensive list. …
How to Batch Convert Multiple PDFs to DXF
Converting tens, hundreds, or even thousands of PDFs to DXF one by one is a laborious task. It is also equally inefficient, as you spend a lot of time and energy you would otherwise use on other less repetitive or more…
Navigating the World of CAD Standards: A Comprehensive Guide
The world over, industries recognize the importance of standardization. Correspondingly, today, there are thousands of standards, authored and approved on an industry-wide basis or developed by individual organizations. The wave of standardization has not missed the computer-aided design (CAD) space. Here,…
CAD vs BIM: Differences, Similarities, and Integration
It can be tempting to think that computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) are the same. However, they are not, and they should not be used interchangeably.. CAD and BIM are distinct philosophies that emerged at different times in…
Cloud-Based CAD: A Paradigm Shift in Design and Engineering
Cloud-based computer-aided design (CAD) solutions are not news. For more than two decades, developers have introduced innovations that have revolutionized the sector. Previously, CAD software was primarily used on-premise. That meant that the applications had to be installed locally and ran…
Rapid Prototyping: From Concept to Physical Product
The significance of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software in creating, verifying, and validating designs cannot be downplayed. Nevertheless, the utility of a tangible, solid model remains invaluable. In fact, tangible models help bridge the information gap by communicating…
Micro-Machining: A New Era of Precision Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry is pursuing miniaturization, driven by the demand for high-accuracy miniaturized products that comprise tiny features or normal-sized products with tiny features. This demand is not sector-specific, as it is found in the automotive, biomedical, aerospace, electronics, and communication…
What is CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing)?
Manufacturers have continually evolved their practices seeking enhanced efficiency, speed, precision, quality, and cost reduction. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) has emerged thus, along with other useful technologies. CAM, in particular, is increasingly utilized in automating many manufacturing processes and operations as the…
How to Prepare CAD Files for CNC Machining
Computer numerical control (CNC) machining is a manufacturing process. It relies on code to control the movement of tools, such as lathes, router bits, and milling bits, found in CNC machines, to produce parts with certain designed features. However, you have…
How to Resolve ‘Drawing File is Not Valid’ Error in AutoCAD
DWG, or the drawing file format, is a proprietary format native to the AutoCAD software. It is a primarily binary format that not only stores but describes the content of 2D designs and 3D models as well as their associated metadata….
The Best Open-Source CAD Software
In the software development world, there exists a notion that applications can always be improved, especially if this role is shared among multiple parties. This principle underlies the ‘open source’ concept, which has seen the rollout of numerous applications. Open source…
How to Batch Plot Drawings in AutoCAD
AutoCAD simplifies workflows for professionals across various careers by enabling them to batch plot drawings. Batch plotting refers to the process of simultaneously printing or converting to multiple drawings or sheets of a drawing project to PDF in a single operation….
The Best Neutral 3D CAD File Formats
Product development, the process of taking a product from the idea or concept stage through market release, involves collaboration among teams. While a collaborative approach does govern virtually all steps of the process, it is perhaps more clearly seen during the…
The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the CAD Industry
While artificial intelligence, or AI, has only become mainstream thanks to the exploits of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, DALL-E, and more, has always existed. For instance, it is responsible for finding answers when you ask a smart assistant such as…
What is Parametric Modeling and How Does it Compare to Direct Modeling?
If you have used any 3D CAD modeling software lately, you may have undertaken a few operations involving either parametric modeling or direct modeling. But if you are new to the modeling world and, by extension, the world of CAD and…
The 5 Best Parametric Modeling Software Products of 2023
Parametric modeling software products are not new in computer-aided design (CAD). Introduced in 1988 with the launch of PTC’s Pro/ENGINEER (since renamed PTC Creo), parametric modeling is still relevant and predominant in 2023, more than three decades later. From a practical…
How to Create and Customize AutoCAD Palettes
AutoCAD has multiple features that not only simplify the workflow for users but also considerably reduce the time they would have otherwise spent doing some tasks. One such feature is the AutoCAD palette or tool palettes. In this article, we delve…
AutoCAD Certifications – Complete Guide to The Certification Process and Exams
The labor market is changing faster now than ever, with competition at an all-time high. Within this increasingly competitive environment, employers ever more expect new talent, and especially entry-level employees, to join the job market already equipped with the necessary skills…
Complete Guide to AutoCAD Data Extraction Feature
Many of us will agree that manual data extraction is far from accurate, convenient, and appealing. In fact, it can often lead to errors if utilized to extract data from large data sets or even complicated engineering drawings. It can also…