Some of the revolutionary software applications that have changed the way engineers create structural designs are ArchiCAD and AutoCAD. These two software applications were created by Graphisoft and Autodesk, respectively.
Before the computer revolution, the only way to create an engineering or architectural design of a structure was to make manual drawings on a paper using a pencil and a couple of other drawing instruments.
Engineers of the 21st century may not have got a chance to experience this, but drawing was a very complicated process than it is today with computers. Computer hardware wouldn’t have made any impact if there was no software designed to take advantage of it.
We are going to share how these two applications and other CAD/CAM applications have revolutionized engineering drawing.
Let’s dig in.
It is now possible to design and test structures without any prototypes.
Using CAD software apps like ArchiCAD and AutoCAD, it is now possible to create structural designs and simulate the possible real-life conditions that these structures would encounter while in use.
With software like AutoCAD, an engineer can design structures and simulate how different forces will affect these structures. Simulations help in making design alterations to make the structures more robust and resilient against such forces.
The learning curve of engineering drawing has been reduced.
Suppose you are an engineer who studied engineering drawing by entirely using a pencil and a couple of other drawing instruments. You should know how long it was to master the art of drawing while implementing the basic engineering drawing principles.
With CAD software, most of these drawing procedures are pre-programmed within the software.
An engineer’s role is to concentrate on mastering the drawing fundamentals, which is less hectic, making it easier for young engineers to get started and learn engineering drawings within a short period.
It’s now possible for engineers and Architects to work remotely.
If it wasn’t for CAD software, the construction industry would have gone to a total standstill due to the COVID-19 lockdown measures in the USA and the rest of the world. But with the CAD software, engineers and architects continued collaborating online and getting tasks done.
With CAD software, it is easier for a team of engineers to collaborate on a single project.
Today, several engineers can design different sections of a structure independently and then join them to test the construction. Generally, this would be more complicated if the drawings ware still done using pencils.
Final thoughts
CAD/CAM software has revolutionized the construction industry. AutoCAD and ArchiCAD have been some of the most popular software used by engineers and architects in creating designs. With these applications, it is even easier for young engineers to learn about engineering drawing and drawing fundamentals making the industry grow faster than it would without these software applications.
