Computer Aided Design Design + Technology What are the advantages of using CAD? Assists the design process Designs can be rotated and viewed from any angle It is easy to visualise design variation with different colour, texture or materials. It enables very accurate modelling High quality visuals can be created to present design ideas to clients. Reduced cost and time for developing designs models can be easily modified and edited so that the time needed to develop a design can be reduced. The need to make expensive/time consuming physical models is reduced. Easy storage and transfer of information Complicated drawings can be stored electronically and quickly modified later Easily transported and transmitted electronically e.g. email or cloud Can be interfaced with machines like Laser Printers, 3D printers and CNC Routers Computer Aided Design Design + Technology

Computer Aided Design Design + Technology What are the disadvantages of CAD? During the design process it can be difficult to get a sense of scale so it is not easy to tell if part are the right size. CAD models are not as realistic as a physical model. Some aspects of a design cannot be tested with CAD and a physical model is still needed. Cost and time The initial cost of equipment is expensive It takes lots of time to learn how to use the software and continual training is needed Computer Aided Design Design + Technology