As technology continues to play a bigger role in the world today, the need for skilled and qualified CAD technicians is going to grow. This has already become quite evident as many industries that used to rely on pen and paper have made way for a more precise way of designing the complexities that make almost everything that will be constructed. Using computers allows for a more precise design and ends up saving time and resources all around, so it makes sense that CAD technicians will continue to be in high demand going forward.

As it stands now, the job growth of CAD technicians is growing, but not at the same pace as many other industries. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, estimated back in 2006 a growth rate of around 6% per year for the AutoCAD technician until the year 2016. When compared to other industries that are seeing an extreme amount of growth right now, 6% may not seem all that impressive.

However, what needs to be looked at is the consistency of the job growth. While some industries will have an explosion of job growth for a year or so, many of these same industries will suffer after the boom and may even show a decline. In the world of CAD technicians, this has simply not proven to be the case. While the job growth may not be spectacular in terms of raw numbers, what is spectacular is the constant job growth that CAD technicians enjoy.

The one catch may actually be in the area that a CAD operator chooses to work. Some types of CAD technicians will always be in higher demand than others and this really all depends on what is going on in the technology world the time. For instance, an aeronautical CAD technician may be in more demand versus a product specific CAD technician if there is a sudden surge in aircraft design.

But what can’t be ignored is the consistent job growth despite tougher economic times. This is going to be a trend that likely continues as more and more industries show a demand for CAD technicians. This is because of their move towards modern manufacturing, which results in the need to conform in all areas, including finding qualified and skilled CAD operators.

With quality CAD training and some dedication on your part, you may discover that you too can find success as a CAD technician as the job growth should continue in the years to come. While the job growth may not be the flashiest around, just remember that slow and steady often wins the race.

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Choose Your Starting Point Carefully
The starting point for your design is very important. If you start your design at the place that all three design fields intersect, the process will be much easier. Start your design where the XY, XZ and YZ planes meet. This is called the origin point and is the place that professional designers usually start their design. If you start here you can use functions more effectively and sketch more easily.

Reduce Your Commands
When using CAD to design remember the phrase, “less is more”. Think about the most efficient way to design a model and then get to work. Commands like mirror and copy can be used to reduce the amount of work that you will have to do, so use these whenever possible. If used correctly they can also make your final product much more professional looking. By thinking about your design before you start and looking for ways to use the mirror feature you can cut down on your design time.

Center on the Origin
The origin is the most important place in a 3D CAD. If you keep your design centered on the origin you will be able to use commands like mirror more effectively and will be able to rotate your design evenly. The origin makes it easier to design in 3D and also allows you to utilize commands like revolve and circular pattern. Center your design on the origin.

Utilize the Tools
CAD software comes with many tools that will make your design process much easier. Learning about these tools will save you time and a lot of effort. Don’t waste your time trying to do everything on your own. Instead learn about the available tools and commands and then find out how to use them. It is a good idea to spend a few minutes before each design practicing techniques and learning about the 3D model so that you can hone your skills and improve with each design. Remember if you don’t take time to learn about the tools available, you won’t even know what you are missing.

CAD design takes time, but it is worth the effort. There are many available tools that will make the design process much easier with time. Devoting the time and effort will help you to master the art of using this type of program.

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CAD (computer aided design) software is a type of software program that can be used to make the design process easier. It allows you to utilize a computer while designing two and three dimensional objects. It can be used for vector drafting, solid and surface modeling and more. Some people even use CAD software to view designs from multiple angles and to determine the type of materials to use and the associated processes and tolerances associated with a design. CAD is used in automotive design, architecture, construction, manufacturing and even in the film industry.

How Does CAD Benefit Companies?

One of the biggest benefits associated with the use of CAD software is the ability to save money and time. Since 3D CAD software allows an engineer to test models and specifications of designs early on it saves companies from having to create prototypes unnecessarily. It also gives companies the opportunity to play around with many ideas before settling in on a final one. For example a car maker may use this software to design new models and test them for things like aerodynamics and safety before a prototype is ever created. The construction industry might use a tool like this to design things like homes, buildings and offices. This shortens the design time required and makes it much easier to make changes to designs.

CAD software is even used in many applications by the general public. Companies offer CAD services to people so that they can get a better idea of how a finished project might look. For example a cabinet company might use CAD to help you plan the layout of a new kitchen or bathroom. This allows the consumer to try different arrangements and to choose a setup that will be the most convenient for their family.

CAD is also used in the film industry. If you have ever seen a 3D movie, you have seen CAD at work. It can also be used to add in characters in a traditional 2D movie. For example in The Lord of the Rings, the character Golom was created using a CAD type program.

Why CAD?

CAD software saves companies a lot of money. It allows them to make the design process easier. Additionally when used by consumers to design a kitchen or a bathroom it saves the company from having to hire a designer to do the work while allowing consumers to create a design that better suits their needs. CAD, especially 3D CAD, speeds up the design process.

If you are interested in trying CAD software for yourself you can find many free and paid versions of this software available online. It is a fun way to experiment with different 2D and 3D models.

Architects
Architects are greatly benefiting from the use of CAD software. Using CAD software allows the architect to actually walk through the building they are designing before the building is even physically built. CAD software gives them the ability to look at their design in either two dimensional (2D CAD) or three dimensional (3D CAD). Having the ability to view their designs in 3D can give them a better idea and understanding of what the final product will look like. They will also be able to find any design flaws much easier. Using CAD software gives the architect much better accuracy with his designs. Presentation to the client is far more professional and the client will appreciate the 3D view of their project.

Automobile Industry
Another industry where design is involved, and the CAD software is used is the automobile industry. Auto CAD is used in the automobile industry to design and develop automotive parts. The two dimensional and three dimensional auto CAD software helps the designers become more proficient with their designing. Automobile companies are saving money because the use of auto CAD software lowers the development process. Designers are able to create prototypes using the auto CAD software. The CAD software can be used to create a windshield wiper, engine, and the sleek new look of the car of the future. Designers have greater ease in designing with the CAD software.

Manufacturers
Using CAD software allows manufacturing companies to cut back on their expenses of having to conduct physical testing of their products. CAD software allows the manufacturing designer to create a realistic image and view it as if it were an actual physical product. This will allow them greater ease in finding any design flaws, and easily correcting them. Using CAD software will also help manufactures lower their costs and increase their productivity. They can expect far better results from their designers in a more efficient manner. The designs are far more reliable because of the use of the CAD software. Time spent on designing will be decreased because of the ease of the CAD software. Editing the designs is much easier using the software.

Many industries are becoming more and more technical today and turning to the cool technology of CAD. The two dimensional and three dimensional CAD software is a very powerful tool for many industries. CAD software is very user friendly. There are many advantages for companies to use the computer aided design software. Any design professional will appreciate the ease and increased productivity that comes with the use of CAD software.

If you have experience with CAD software, consider looking for Solidworks jobs.

Drawing Tools
Thankfully, AutoCAD is here to help and there are a number of relatively straightforward tips for you to follow. The first thing to do is become comfortable with the interface. Become familiar with the various drawing tools and open a sample file. It’s very important to get to grips with the navigation tools as this simplifies things when you start drawing. The drawing tools are pretty easy to remember. The line tool creates lines, rectangle tool creates rectangles and so on. Each tool has various steps however which is why you also need mastery of the command tool.

The AutoCAD tells you what to do after you have activated the tools. It’s up to you to specify the first point. Click in the drawing area and AutoCAD will ask you to specify the next point. For example, if you wanted to draw a circle, you enter the command: ARC and specify the starting point of the arc or the center C point. Once you have activated a circle, AutoCAD will ask you to specify a starting point but you could specify a center point instead by entering ‘C’.

Being Precise
Familiarity with the drawing tools is just a starting point. The next step is precise input. This involves a command of geometry but it will help you to create more precise drawings. Modify tools are not difficult to master either. Like the drawing tools, each symbol is representative of what the tool does. You should also press F1 after activating a tool as this gives you a help menu with the related topic already there. Object selection is the next step after learning modify tools.

At this stage, you should be able to create reasonable drawings but it’s the ability to master annotation that defines your efforts. Annotation refers to non-geometrical elements of the drawing such as dimensions and tables. You can choose between the various styles on offer to decide what the annotation of your drawing looks like. This can be a tricky time because you may become confused by the wide variety of options. For example, you may think a certain sized text looks perfect when in actual fact, it’s unreadable in its final form.

Once you have become used to following the above steps, you should have an excellent knowledge of CAD training and will hopefully be able to produce drawings of stunning quality.

AutoSketch

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Using computers to help with designs is not a new idea and it didn’t start in the 1980s. In fact, in the 1960s it was not uncommon for some in the aircraft and automotive industry to use computers to help with their design. This was in the way of 3D surface construction and NC programming, but these were not widely known or used techniques.

In 1963 a system at MIT was developed that would arguable shape the future of CAD. The program was called ‘SKETCHPAD’ and was created by Ivan Sutherland. What made the SKETCHPAD program so unique was the ability to have the computer actually interact with the designer using a CRTmonitor and a light pen. This would later be compared to an early prototype of graphical user interface and would go on to jump start the world of CAD.

As computers were relatively new and extremely expensive back in the beginning of CAD times, it was only the larger companies that could afford to commercially implement a CAD system. This included those in the aerospace and automotive industries.

As the 1970s came about, so too did additional advances in CAD systems. In 1971 the Automated Drafting and Machine, or ADAM, system was developed by Dr. PJ Hanratty. Along with writing the system, the good doctor also supplied much of the code that was needed to help make the program run smoothly to larger corporations.

The 1970s also brought about many changes and improvements in the various CAD programs and systems. 3D, for example, made it possible to enhance what the user was inputting into the computer and brought a whole new view to the CAD industry.

CAD saw its biggest surge in the 1980s when a whole slew of new systems, such as the Uni-Solid and 2D systems, and designs made their way to the marketplace. Combined with computers that were where all of the sudden not so new and not so expensive and CAD was rapidly becoming available for almost all industries to use.

By the late 1980s CAD was widely known and becoming widely used. With Pro/ENGINEER being released in 1988, a greater use of feature-based modeling was achieved. This followed with some inspired work from Ian Braid, who helped pave the way for such mid-range packages as SolidWorks, Solid Edge, and Autodesk Inventor to be developed and come out in the 1990s.

Today the world of CAD is still evolving.  Some anticipate the world of CAD moving more towards traditional sculpting as opposed to painting. This would be due to a 3D interface that replaces the monitor and mouse with goggles and gloves. Others are not sure what the future of CAD holds, but do know that the continued evolution from its meek start in the 1960s is certain.

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Getting the right kind of work for a respectable company can go a long way towards helping you have the best career possible. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of what you should expect once you enter the industry and how you can move up the ladder.

Just After Graduation
Unless you have an impeccable college record from a prestigious university, have a family business in the engineering industry, or are just plan lucky, most graduates will be given low-level jobs. Among the basic tasks you can expect to perform include creating rudimentary designs, taking measurements, researching, and entering data.

There are a number of degree holders who may feel that their job is unfulfilling in the first few years but if you show yourself to be smart, responsible, and a hard worker, you may be in line to receive more and better responsibilities in the firm. In addition, keep in mind that working in a low-level gives you the opportunity to observe the most successful engineers and see how they work.

Tips to Move Up
Like any other industries, you can move up in the engineering ladder. Regardless of your engineering specialty, the following tips below can be applicable in your situation:

•    Subscribe to engineering magazines – be updated about the latest in the industry by subscribing to online newsletters or magazines. You’ll be able to demonstrate your knowledge in the workplace at one time or another.
•    Network with other professionals – increase your profile where it counts. Make it a point to meet senior engineers in the company and network with other people outside of work.
•    Attend seminars – spend time and invest in yourself by being aware of issues in the industry. If you have the time, inclination, and budget, it may be a good idea attend national and international seminars as well. Aside from increasing your knowledge, you’ll also meet influential people this way.
•    Become active in an engineering association – this will look good on your resume. Don’t miss the opportunity be become more than just a paying member of the association. Your exposure here will increase the options available to you.
•    Submit an article for publication – there are countless publications that are constantly on the lookout for personal perspective and experiences of engineers. Contribute an article to an industry publication where you’ll get a byline. This will immediately expose your talents to thousands of readers.
•    Volunteer your expertise – if you hear that a non-profit organization that requires the services of an engineer, take the opportunity. Whether you’re an electrical or civil engineer, your expertise would be more than welcome in many charitable organizations.

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The first thing to keep in mind when looking at average CAD salaries is that they often won’t reflect the additional benefits that come with the job.  If you have a full-time position there are a number of other factors to consider as well.  For example, in most CAD related jobs, the base salary usually only makes up around 70% of the total value that you will receive.  Other benefits that are often included are health care, pension, paid time off, social security, 401K, and additional bonuses.

It is also important to keep in mind that average CAD salaries have been steadily rising over the past few years because the technology has found to be applicable in a much wider variety of industries and situations.  At the same time, the number of people who are proficient with these technologies has not be able to keep up the demand.  This has placed a premium on their expertise and raised the average salary level.  As the technology continues to be integrated into new business settings, there is a good chance that the average salaries will continue to increase.

In the United States, if you look at every profession that includes CAD technologies in the job listings then the average CAD salaries tend to be around $40,000.  The highest paying industries tend to include a mechanical engineer, design engineer, project engineer, and electrical designer.  In general, they tend to average just over $60,000.  On the other end of the spectrum are jobs like CAD drafter, drafter, and CAD operator.  These professions tend to average in the mid $30,000 range.  It is should be noted that the average salaries in all of these professions have been consistently trending upward.

As an added bonus, CAD salaries have shown to weather economic downturn much better than related fields under the same conditions.  Whenever you are doing research into these professions looking at the average CAD salaries isn’t always enough.  You should also consider the “real income” which includes the additional benefits.  Taking a look at where you will be living, especially the cost of living in that area, is important as well.  Since many CAD jobs can be done remotely, the overall average salary tends to fluctuate less based upon location than other related professions.  Overall, while the average salary is around $40,000 the biggest determinant will be based upon your specialization.

The most important thing that you need to consider when searching for the most popular CAD software is what industry you are focused on.  For example, contractors will want the CAD designer to have the ability to utilize building information modeling technologies.  This means that within this industry, the most popular CAD software would have this ability.  On the other hand, a manufacturing engineer wouldn’t necessarily need it.  There is even CAD software that has been created specifically for jewelry creation.  In the end, the industry itself will play a large role in what software is used most.

In terms of overall use, finding specific numbers are incredibly difficult.  At the same time, there have been several reports which provide a little bit of insight.  One of the more interesting reports was released by GrabCAD, which is an engineering community that promotes the sharing of models that have been created.  The most popular software in their library is SolidWorks, which locked in more than 50% of the total vote.  Other popular software in this survey included Solid Edge, Inventor, and AutoCAD.  Again, remember that this is primarily related to the engineering industry, not design-related industries.

Another factor that can be used to determine what the most popular CAD software is the age of the software that is being used.  Most of the popular options are updated on a yearly basis, if not more often.  By looking at how many people are using the current version of any particular software can help create a clear picture about what people are using now, rather than including the people who haven’t updated their software in a few years.  To this end, SolidWorks and Inventor both seem to remain popular in the engineering community.  Revit seems to be one of the most well known options for D&B contractors, however any software with BIM seems to be fairly well respected within those circles.

In the end, it can be difficult to tell exactly what the CAD software is used most.  Fortunately, by setting some parameters this task becomes a little easier.  By focusing on a specific industry, overall level of use, and how often users update can give you a better idea of what is most popular right now.  SolidWorks, Inventor, AutoCAD, and Revit all seem to have gained ground in terms of brand recognition and overall use.  Some other options that also seem to be well-known include: TurboCAD, CorelCAD, ArchiCAD, CoCreate, and VectorWorks.