Computer-aided design (CAD) is use of a wide range of computer based tools that assist engineers, architects and other design professions in their design activities CAD is used to design, develop and optimize products, which can be goods used by consumers or goods used in other products. CAD is also extensively used in the design of tools and machinery used in the manufacture of components, and in the drafting and design of all types of buildings, from small residential types (houses) to the largest commercial and industrial structures (hospitals and factories).

CAD is mainly used for detailed engineering of 3D models and/or 2D drawings of physical components, but it is also used throughout the engineering process from conceptual design and layout of products, through strength and dynamic analysis of assemblies to definition of manufacturing methods of components.

CAD has become an especially important technology, within the scope of Computer Aided technologies, with benefits such as lower product development costs and a greatly shortened design cycle.

CAD enables designers to lay out and develop work on screen, print it out and save it for future editing, thereby saving time on their drawings.

Shown below is Jamie Gray’s CAD model of Ardrossan Academy.  Although CAD models are constructed on a computer they require a wide variety of manual skills to achieve successful results.  

Jamie had to investigate the layout and size of the buildings, take appropriate photographs of the different constructions and ensure he used the correct proportions.

 Jamie achieved an A-Grade pass for his final exam in Intermediate 2 Higher Graphic Communication.

The photographs recently taken of the school from a helicopter would have been of great assistance to Jamie.

Check out the school buildings by clicking on them.