CAD drafting software - Essay Example

CAD Drafting Software The design of 2D and 3D drawings has been made easy with the development of computer aided design software such as AutoCARD, SolidWorks and Creo element among others. Besides their use in complex and design centric industries like mechanical engineering and architectural design, CAD software is also used to create basic designs and objects by hobbyists.AutoCAD AutoCAD drafting softwares are among the most popular CAD drafting softwares produced by AutoDesk company. The company is considered an industry leader given its reputation in the production of quality drafting software.

One of the reasons why autoCAD is ranked top among other CAD softwares is the fact that it is packed with features within the tool bar which are relatively easy to use and navigate. AutoCAD has all the relevant and necessary features which make usability easy while improving compatibility at the same time. It allows the user to customize the tool palettes consisting only of the tools required for the current project. AutoCAD supports a myriad of files which requires no conversion during import or export (Cohn, 16).

The software is not easy to use and in addition to time consumption, there is difficulty in figuring how to use some of its features. AutoCAD is supplemented with a wide range of help and support options besides the online knowledge-base present on the website.SolidWorks SolidWorks is considered to be an extensive software that is meant for corporate environment and large production. SolidWorks has extensive design capabilities which makes it a very complex system. Despite the complex and extensive designs in cataloging and tolerance control, the user interface has been kept as dynamic and simple as possible.

The design makes SolidWorks a design software suitable for users at all levels. SolidWorks is quite expensive; Premium version goes for $7,995, Standard for $3,995 and the Professional version at $5,490. There is minimal training required for a user to become productive and knowledgeable of SolidWorks. Besides, there is a good production demonstration video which offers design lessons (Cartwright, 12). SolidWorks has an electrical package which is highly used in electrical engineering field in designing complex circuits.

It has a wide range of electrical design functionality suitable for design professionals.Google Sketch Up Google Sketch Up is free but can be upgraded to Pro version at a cost of $485 which comes with email technical support and export options. It’s a simple CAD software for sketching models in a 3 D space. Google Sketch up is integrated with google earth which enable the user to sketch models in specific sites. Google sketch up has a fast learning curve hence easy to use even for the first time users, it also has spontaneous tool set.

Some plug ins are required for certain functions to operate (Chopra and Laura, 23). Google sketch up can be applied in architecture and Geo modeling for google earth since it has the ability to produce good sketches and architectural designs. Works CitedCartwright, James. SolidWorks:. Education Ed. Concord: SolidWorks, 2005. Print. Chopra, Aidan, and Laura Town. Introduction to Google SketchUp. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2008. Print. Cohn, David S.. AutoCAD. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 2008. Print.