{"id":20690,"date":"2021-04-27T09:28:29","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T16:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/?p=20690"},"modified":"2025-05-09T10:48:01","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T17:48:01","slug":"what-is-cad-computer-aided-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/what-is-cad-computer-aided-design\/","title":{"rendered":"What is CAD (Computer-Aided Design)?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>What is CAD? How can it improve your workflow? Find out in this complete guide to computer-aided design\u2014from its history to what&#8217;s next.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Technology-Center-Toronto-2869-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"fusion-360-cad-3d modeling-3d design-software\" class=\"wp-image-20701\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Technology-Center-Toronto-2869-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Technology-Center-Toronto-2869-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Technology-Center-Toronto-2869-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Technology-Center-Toronto-2869-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Technology-Center-Toronto-2869.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Designing a tech-enabled product with Autodesk Fusion 360.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The days of drafting with pencil, paper, and protractors are winding down as most engineers, PCB designers, and architects become experts at using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/solutions\/cad-software\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CAD (computer-aided design)<\/a> software. CAD is software specifically to help draft documentation, visualize 2D or 3D design concepts using photorealistic renderings, simulate real-world functionality, and export CAD data to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/computer-aided-manufacturing-beginners\/\">computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)<\/a> software.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<?php\nfunction autodesk_fusion_cta_horizontal() {\n    ob_start();\n    ?>\n    <style>\n        .cta-section-horizontal {\n            background: #ddd; \/* Much lighter grey background *\/\n            padding: 12px; \/* Adjusted padding *\/\n            border-radius: 8px;\n            box-shadow: 0 3px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);\n            color: #333; \/* Darker text color for better readability *\/\n            display: flex;\n            align-items: center;\n            justify-content: space-between;\n            max-width: 650px; \/* Width adjusted for a more compact look *\/\n            margin: 20px auto;\n            position: relative;\n            flex-wrap: nowrap; \/* Prevent wrapping *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-section-horizontal img {\n            width: 60px; \/* Slightly larger logo *\/\n            height: auto; \/* Maintain aspect ratio *\/\n            margin-right: 12px; \/* Adjusted spacing *\/\n            background-color: #ddd; \/* Match the background color *\/\n            padding: 6px; \/* Adjusted padding *\/\n            border-radius: 8px; \/* Slightly rounding to match container *\/\n            box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px #ddd; \/* Blend with background *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-text {\n            flex: 1;\n            margin-right: 12px; \/* Adjusted spacing *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-title {\n            font-size: 18px; \/* Slightly larger title font size *\/\n            font-weight: bold; \/* Bold title *\/\n            color: #f9a825; \/* Orange color *\/\n            margin-bottom: 4px; \/* Reduced margin *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-info {\n            display: none; \/* Hide description *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-buttons {\n            display: flex;\n            gap: 8px; \/* Adjusted button spacing *\/\n            align-items: center;\n        }\n\n        .cta-button {\n            padding: 8px 12px; \/* Button padding *\/\n            font-size: 12px; \/* Smaller font size for buttons *\/\n            font-weight: bold;\n            text-transform: uppercase;\n            border-radius: 4px; \/* Slightly rounded corners *\/\n            border: 2px solid transparent;\n            cursor: pointer;\n            transition: all 0.3s ease;\n            display: inline-flex; \/* Use inline-flex to ensure proper alignment *\/\n            align-items: center; \/* Center align text vertically *\/\n            justify-content: center; \/* Center align text horizontally *\/\n            text-decoration: none !important; \/* Ensure no underlines with !important *\/\n            color: inherit; \/* Use the button's text color *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-button.white-button {\n            background-color: #fff;\n            color: #333;\n            border: 2px solid #ddd;\n        }\n\n        .cta-button.white-button:hover {\n            background-color: #333;\n            color: #fff;\n            border: 2px solid #f9a825;\n        }\n\n        .cta-button.black-button {\n            background-color: #f9a825;\n            color: #fff;\n            border: 2px solid #f9a825;\n        }\n\n        .cta-button.black-button:hover {\n            background-color: #fff;\n            color: #f9a825;\n            border: 2px solid #fff;\n        }\n    <\/style>\n\n    <div class=\"cta-section-horizontal\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/autodesk-fusion-product-icon-400.png\" alt=\"Autodesk Fusion Logo\">\n        <div class=\"cta-text\">\n            <h1 class=\"cta-title\">Elevate your design and manufacturing processes with Autodesk Fusion<\/h1>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"cta-buttons\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/trial-intake-flow\" class=\"cta-button white-button\">Get a 30-Day Free Trial<\/a>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/extensions\" class=\"cta-button black-button\">See Plans and Pricing<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <?php\n    return ob_get_clean();\n}\nadd_shortcode('autodesk_fusion_cta_horizontal', 'autodesk_fusion_cta_horizontal');\n?>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"working-in-cad-software\">Working in CAD Software<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/solutions\/cad-software\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CAD<\/a> centralizes product design into an automated 3D environment. Any engineering design usually starts in CAD. No matter if it\u2019s a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/5-unique-pcb-examples-and-applications-from-the-playstation-5-to-telescopes\/\">PCB (printed circuit board) for a gaming console<\/a> or an automotive application like a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/scan-to-cad-workflow-peel-3d\/\">custom roll cage for a Corvette<\/a>, CAD is the ideal all-in-one 3d modeling environment. CAD incorporates a single-sourced library and cloud-based data management. This facilitates easy access to saved schematics, schematic symbols, 2D drawings, 2D footprints, and 3D models. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<?php\nfunction autodesk_fusion_all_access_cta_horizontal_alt() {\n    ob_start();\n    ?>\n    <style>\n        .cta-section-horizontal-alt {\n            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f5f5f5, #e0e0e0); \/* Soft gradient for subtle depth *\/\n            padding: 25px; \/* Increased padding for more emphasis *\/\n            border-radius: 8px; \/* Rounded corners for a modern look *\/\n            box-shadow: 0 6px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); \/* Slightly bolder shadow *\/\n            display: flex;\n            align-items: center;\n            justify-content: space-between;\n            max-width: 700px;\n            margin: 30px auto;\n            flex-wrap: nowrap;\n            gap: 10px;\n        }\n\n        .cta-text-alt {\n            flex: 1;\n            margin-right: 20px;\n            font-size: 16px;\n            color: #333333;\n        }\n\n        .cta-title-alt {\n            font-size: 20px; \/* Slightly larger title font *\/\n            font-weight: bold;\n            color: #000000; \/* Black for strong contrast *\/\n            margin-bottom: 8px; \/* Space between title and text *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-buttons {\n            display: flex;\n            gap: 10px;\n        }\n\n        .cta-button-alt {\n            padding: 12px 24px; \/* Larger button for emphasis *\/\n            font-size: 14px;\n            font-weight: bold;\n            text-transform: uppercase;\n            border-radius: 6px; \/* Slightly rounded button *\/\n            border: none;\n            cursor: pointer;\n            transition: all 0.3s ease;\n            background-color: #ff4d4d; \/* Bold red for visibility *\/\n            color: #ffffff;\n            text-decoration: none !important;\n            white-space: nowrap;\n            box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); \/* Shadow for button depth *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-button-alt:hover {\n            background-color: #ffffff; \/* White background on hover *\/\n            color: #ff4d4d; \/* Red text on hover *\/\n            border: 2px solid #ff4d4d; \/* Red border on hover *\/\n        }\n\n        .cta-button-grey {\n            background-color: #a0a0a0; \/* Lighter grey button *\/\n            color: #ffffff;\n            padding: 12px 24px;\n            font-size: 14px;\n            font-weight: bold;\n            text-transform: uppercase;\n            border-radius: 6px;\n            border: none;\n            cursor: pointer;\n            transition: all 0.3s ease;\n            text-decoration: none !important;\n            white-space: nowrap;\n            box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);\n        }\n\n        .cta-button-grey:hover {\n            background-color: #ffffff;\n            color: #a0a0a0;\n            border: 2px solid #a0a0a0;\n        }\n    <\/style>\n\n    <div class=\"cta-section-horizontal-alt\">\n        <div class=\"cta-text-alt\">\n            <div class=\"cta-title-alt\">Full-access Fusion Trial<\/div>\n            Unlock all of Fusion&#8217;s advanced features and functionality &#8211; free for 30 days.\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"cta-buttons\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/trial-intake-flow\" class=\"cta-button-alt\">Start Free Trial<\/a>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/extensions\" class=\"cta-button-grey\">Plans and Pricing<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <?php\n    return ob_get_clean();\n}\nadd_shortcode('autodesk_fusion_all_access_cta_horizontal_alt', 'autodesk_fusion_all_access_cta_horizontal_alt');\n?>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Once a CAD model is complete, the CAD file can transfer into CAM software. Autodesk Fusion <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/integrated-cad-cam-software-benefits-2\/\">integrates CAD and CAM<\/a> into one friendly and accessible environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With 3D CAD, engineers can choose from preloaded models like doors and windows or start from scratch by utilizing fill-in parameters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"software-advantages\">Software Advantages<\/h2>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/bigstock-Man-s-Hands-Typing-On-A-Laptop-404542961-1024x774.jpg\" alt=\"cad-on-laptop-computer\" class=\"wp-image-20691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/bigstock-Man-s-Hands-Typing-On-A-Laptop-404542961-1024x774.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/bigstock-Man-s-Hands-Typing-On-A-Laptop-404542961-300x227.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/bigstock-Man-s-Hands-Typing-On-A-Laptop-404542961-768x580.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/bigstock-Man-s-Hands-Typing-On-A-Laptop-404542961-1536x1161.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/bigstock-Man-s-Hands-Typing-On-A-Laptop-404542961.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>CAD modeling software provide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/cloud-based-cad-faster-smarter\/\">several advantages<\/a> over traditional drafting techniques, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased accuracy for 2D drawing precise dimensions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Automating common processes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/new-manufacturing-tool-library\/\">libraries<\/a> of routinely used items such as doors, windows, and manufacturing parts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ability to quickly adjust parts of a drawing without needing to start over<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managing complex designs details all within one file<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creating blocks for frequently drawn items<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased collaboration and visualization with colleagues through the ability to share and mark the same file<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offline capabilities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cad-development-history-at-a-glance\">CAD Development History  at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Timeline-Symbol-1024x666.jpg\" alt=\"cad-history-timeline\" class=\"wp-image-20696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Timeline-Symbol-1024x666.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Timeline-Symbol-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Timeline-Symbol-768x500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Timeline-Symbol-1536x999.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Timeline-Symbol.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s hard to imagine how many innovations and advancements were needed to arrive at present-day computer-aided design technology. CAD development can be traced back to the earliest drafting innovations like blueprinting, which employed perhaps the original \u201ccopy and paste\u201d technical documentation process. About 120 years later, the first true origin of CAD came about when General Motors (GM) and IBM created DAC-1 a year after Ivan Sutherland invented Sketchpad.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cad-timeline\">CAD Timeline<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1842-blueprinting\">1842: Blueprinting<\/h3>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newworldencyclopedia.org\/entry\/Blueprint\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blueprinting<\/a> is still widely used in various applications, but the original blueprint became obsolete primarily in the 1950s. In 1842, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/John-Herschel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John Herschel<\/a>\u2014astronomer, photographer, and chemist\u2014created the cyanotype process of blueprinting. This process occurred by drawing on semi-transparent paper over another sheet of paper and applying photosensitive potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate mixture. The drawing was then exposed to light, turning the exposed paper blue and leaving the drawing lines white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Blueprinting was one of the first innovations to streamline the design process and contributed significantly to the second industrial revolution. Such innovations were designed to create cheaper and easier ways to accomplish tasks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"193637-the-turing-machine\">1936-37: The Turing Machine<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Since the introduction of blueprinting, there have been numerous innovations, but none more important than the creation and advancement of computers. In 1936, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/alan-turing-cracking-code-modern-computing\/\">Alan Turing<\/a> described what would later be dubbed the \u201cTuring Machine,\u201d which are computational machines intended to analyze the limitations of what can be computed and were designed to process real numbers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1943-eniac\">1943: ENIAC<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>A collaborative effort between the US Army and the University of Pennsylvania\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/Moore School of Electrical Engineering\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Moore School of Electrical Engineering<\/a> brought about the first general-purpose computer called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerhistory.org\/revolution\/birth-of-the-computer\/4\/78\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)<\/a>, designed to calculate artillery projectile ballistics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1953-early-cnc-machines\">1953: Early CNC Machines<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Early Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines were considerably different from modern <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/cnc-coordinate-system-made-easy\/\">CNC machines<\/a>. Instead of an electronic display, they utilized numerical control and a cutting tool of some variety.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1963-sketchpad-and-dac1\">1963: Sketchpad and DAC-1<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>A decade later, Ivan Sutherland created Sketchpad, which incorporated an innovative graphical user interface. Sketchpad allowed for more accessible human\/computer interactions using icons. <a href=\"https:\/\/redshift.autodesk.com\/automotive-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GM<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibm.com\/us-en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IBM<\/a> collaborated to create DAC-1 (Design Augmented by Computer), which was used for about a decade before being replaced with a newer version.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1964-first-commercial-cad-systems\">1964: First Commercial CAD Systems<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Not long after Sketchpad, the earliest commercial CAD systems, like DAC-1, were made available to GM, IBM, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/aerospace-engineering\/\">aerospace<\/a> corporations.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1971-adam\">1971: ADAM<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Dr. Patrick J. Hanratty of Manufacturing and Consulting Services (MCS) created a system called Automated Drafting and Machining (ADAM). It\u2019s worth noting that this 3D CAD program was introduced in the \u201870s but wasn\u2019t incorporated into the commercial industry.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-1980s-desktops-and-2d-autocad\">The 1980s: Desktops and 2D AutoCAD<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Desktops were produced for the general public, and Autodesk&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/autocad\/overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AutoCAD<\/a> was a significant advancement for the decade.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-1990s-solidworks-introduced\">The 1990s: Solidworks Introduced<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Solidworks helped usher in gradual improvements to 3D CAD.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-2000s-platform-availability-and-cadcam-integration-with-fusion-360\">The 2000s: Platform Availability and CAD\/CAM Integration with Fusion 360<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>New platforms require new integration. Autodesk\u2019s integrated, cloud CAD\/CAM software, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fusion 360<\/a>, is for many applications\u2014from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/should-industrial-designers-learn-basic-pcb-design\/\">industrial design<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/3d-pcb-design-analysis-mcad-ecad-benefits\/\">PCB design<\/a>. Today, Fusion 360 is spearheading the effort to make the design process quick, easy, and affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-future-of-3d-cad-software\">The Future of 3D CAD Software<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>As 3D CAD software continues to develop, more advancements and tools will become available to designers. Here at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/campaigns\/fusion-360\/dream-to-done\">Fusion<\/a>, we&#8217;re always working on giving our community access to the &#8220;what&#8217;s next&#8221; of design, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/thinking-out-of-the-box-with-generative-design\/\">Generative design tools<\/a> that enhance part optimization for cost, material, and different manufacturing processes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/8-reasons-to-use-fusion-360-electronics\/\">Comprehensive PCB design tools<\/a> that support the design of tech-enabled products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/parametric-modeling-in-fusion-360-tutorial\/\">Parametric modeling features<\/a> allow you to easily make updates to dimensions and view the effects in real-time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A plethora of features for 3D printing\/additive manufacturing (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/20-fusion-360-additive-manufacturing-tutorials\/\">here are a few tutorials!<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Our ongoing research in the fields of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/how-machine-learning-might-help-recover-or-refine-parametric-history\/\">AI and machine learning<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Stay tuned as we release exciting Fusion updates each month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Integrating CAD and CAM into product development workflows can help streamline the design process and provide high cost and time savings. With Autodesk Fusion, seamless collaboration is right at your fingertips. T<a href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/campaigns\/fusion-360\/dream-to-done\">ry Fusion<\/a> today for the ultimate integrated platform.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is CAD, anyways? How can it improve your workflow? Find out in this complete guide to computer-aided design\u2014from its history to what&#8217;s next.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4033,"featured_media":27114,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[165,359,235,236],"tags":[219,218,124,212],"coauthors":[597],"class_list":["post-20690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industrial-design","category-electronics-engineering","category-machining","category-mechanical-engineering","tag-cloud","tag-collaboration","tag-design","tag-industrial-design","dhig-theme--light"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is CAD (Computer-Aided Design)? - Fusion Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is CAD, anyways? 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