RESEARCH PAPER 2
ETD-1320
Professor: Proverbs
Due: November 10, 2008
By

CAD computer aided drafting has come along way from its humble beginnings with the U.S. Air force’s SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) program of the 1950’s. As CAD evolved other applications in others field contributed as with the aircraft and automotive industries 1960s, to Ivan Sutherland, a doctoral student at MIT who first envisaged a computerized sketchpad that would replace traditional modes of design drawing and by the end of the decade. So what is in store for CAD in the future? If we look at the past we saw different industries utilizing the CAD technology to better suit their niche within a particular sector. The same is true today as it was in the early years of development we see many new industries contributing to CAD evolution. Industries like video game manufactures that did not exist during the days of the development of CAD now contribute to its design and application program.
“In the years to come, 3D CAD software will steadily improve engineering productivity by speeding the design process, suggesting options along the way, and identifying problems earlier. The software will “think” for designers and anticipate what they are creating.” (2) In terms of improving speed one improvement will be the use of a 3D scanner is being developed which would allow an object to be scanned into 3D mode instead of the dimensions of a 3-D object having to be manually entered into CAD. Others complain that CAD as it exists today is too limited and that 3D modelers are where innovation is taking place. Innovation in areas of “Internet-generated technology, such as using Second Life to bring distant clients together on simulated 3D projects designed in CAD.” (2) In 3-D modeling there is a greater push towards non-parametric modeling from companies like Spaceclaim; which lets you create and edit 3D models for conceptual design and prototyping. Also companies like T-splines that claim to be the first true alternative to NURBs based modeling. Since I have not been limited by CAD,yet let alone (NURBS) Non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) which is a mathematical model is computer aided drafting that generate and represent curves and surfaces.(3) I can only image this would help at some level I cannot see obtaining this level of use anytime soon. I can see uniform use improving the application and combining of NURBS with SubDivision technologies will offer flexibility for the user. Another direction AutoCAD is heading regarding making applications