The CAD systems can be classified from several viewpoints.
• The first is the application field. The CAD systems are developed in every industrial area so that we can find systems in the field of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, architectural design, civil engineering, cloth and shoe design, medical application.
• The type of the modeling can be 2D when the representation of the part is similar to the engineering drawing. The other method is 3D modeling when the model of the part is built in the virtual space.
• The applied modeling method can be wireframe modeling when only the edges of the part are defined. In the case of surface modeling, the CAD model is hollow; only the boundary „skin” is defined. The solid modeling ensures realistic representation; the model consists of simple elementary elements.
• In the case of a parametric model, the size of the model is driven by the geometric parameters. The size of a non-parametric model is defined by the user’s modeling activity, and the dimensioning value is driven by the modeled object.
The pictures show the most critical application of CAD systems. The CAD systems were developed for these particular application areas.
The typical application fields are:
- Mechanical engineering
- Electronic design
- Architectural design
- Civil engineering
- Textile industry
- Medical