Computer-aided design (CAD)

Computer-aided design is a computer technology that is ideal for the design of objects, real or virtual. CAD can be used to design two or three dimensional objects which makes it an ideal tool for drafting of technical and engineering and architectural drawings as used in the automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries, industrial and architectural design. CAD is also widely used to produce computer generated animation for special effects in movies and advertising.

There are different types of computer-aided design or CAD programs; some are designed for specific purposes in specific profession from the design of intricate machinery and tools to the design of homes and large industrial structures, while other packages are more general in their function and are designed as general systems. Because of this it is easy to find the software that best fits your needs and budget. Although no special hardware is required for most CAD packages in order to run the program effectively a good graphics card, high speed CPU and large amounts of RAM are important. And of course the most important component of the success of CAD is the user and the patience it will take to master new software.

CAD software packages range from 2D drafting systems to 3D modelers. 2D software lets you produce plans, elevations, details and sections. It is similar to drawing manually on a drawing board only faster, neater and more consistently. You are literally drawing on screen, line by line and like drawing manually. If you only create simple diagrams, plan layouts, cutting patterns, shop details etc then 2D is all you'll need. 3D CAD gives its user the added benefit of producing renderings and animations from one computer model allowing you to better communicate your ideas and designs.These packages allow the objects to be rotated in three dimensions, allowing viewing of a designed object from any desired angle, even from the inside looking out.

CAD has become an especially important technology within the scope of computer aided technology, enabling designers to lay out and develop work on screen, print it out and save it for future editing, saving time on their drawings.

Upgrade to TurboCAD Pro 17 from most other CAD Programs

TurboCAD Canada offers the full power and productivity of TurboCAD Pro 17 to owners of select CAD and graphic design software programs at a special price.

Do You Qualify for a Competitive Upgrade?

If you own a copy of any of the products below, then you can install the TurboCAD Pro 17 Competitive Upgrade on the same system. Please be advised that this software does check to verify the competitive product is on your system in order to install.

• Alibre — Alibre Design
• ART — Chief Architect
• Ashlar-Vellum® — Velium, Graphite, Cobalt, Xenon, Argon
• Autodesk® — QuickCAD, AutoSketch®, AutoCAD LT®, AutoCAD®, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Mechanical, Inventor Suite
• Bentley — MicroStation
• BricSys — BricsCAD
• CADopia, various IntelliCAD®
• CADKEY® Corp. — CADKEY
• Corel® — CorelDRAW®, Corel DESIGNER
• Google™ — Google SketchUp™ Pro
• Graphisoft — ArchiCAD
• Integraph — SmartSketch®
• IronCAD® — IronCAD
• Kubotek — KEYCREATOR
• Microsoft® — Visio®
• Nemetschek/GraphiSoft — VectorWorks®, VectorWorks Architect, VectorWorks Landmark, VectorWorks Spotlight, AllPlan
• progeSOFT — progeCAD
• PTC — Pro/ENGINEER
• Punch! Software — ViaCAD™ 2D/3D, ViaCAD Pro
• Robert McNeel Associates — Rhinoceros®
• Sigma Design — Arris CAD, Arris Architectural Studio
• SoftSource — Virtual Drafter
• SolidWorks — SolidWorks
• Siemens — SolidEdge
• VC Corp — VX Corp
• ZwCAD Software — ZWCAD

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