It is hard to remember a time when digital design was not an option, when physical drawing and blueprinting was the norm. Only 50 years ago, this was reality, underscoring how far the evolution of digital design has come in recent history. Trading pens and stencils for keyboards and styluses, computer-aided design (CAD) changed the way that many industries ideate and create some of the most important products in society today.
Initial iterations of CAD technology were very expensive and inaccessible to even the highest level professionals. The system itself often cost over $100,000 with just a seat in a CAD lab costing thousands as well. When Windows compatibility was introduced, the price was decreased, however, no real change came about until recent years. Today, CAD can be accessed through mobile devices like laptops and can be used to create almost anything. Not only do professionals benefit from its capabilities, but students, creatives and even children can enjoy its features.
This rapid growth has fueled a community of CAD enthusiasts, driving the growth and further evolution of the software. Because of this interest, experts are now working towards AI integration with CAD. Even in its early stages, this collaboration shows promising growth towards increased efficiency, accuracy and overall capability in the world of design.
Source: SolidWorks