CAD – Computer Aided Design

CAD first came to life in the 1960’s, when designers used computers for calculations within the aircraft and automobile industries. Many people helped make CAD what it is today but surfaces and polynomial curves began to take place by a number of car designers such as Paul De Casteljan (Citroen) and Pierre Bezier (Renault). In 1963 the sketch pad system developed meaning that a design could be put onto a computer using the CRT, monitor and a light pen.

Since then 2d design has evolved dramatically. It’s now used to develop and design products for consumers. CAD has become popular in the design industry as it allows you to view your design, develop and adapt colours as well as style, it also uses a Varity of software packages to enable the designer to see the product in three dimensions and to see all angles. This process not only is time saving but also cheaper as it saves more prototypes and samples. Most fashion designers are now required to have varying levels of experience in aspects of CAD.

By Abigail Stephenson

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Part three: drawing and modelling
Part fifteen: industrial production techniques