BIT 2111 Computer Aided Art and Design by J.B.

M Introduction

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Introduction
Computer Aided Design-CAD is defined the use of information technology (IT) in the Design
process. Computer Aided Design (CAD) is simply, design and drafting with the aid of a
computer. Design is creating a real product from an idea. Drafting is the production of the
drawings that are used to document a design. CAD can be used to create 2D or 3D computer
models.
CAD is a subset of the design Process which involves:
1) Need
2) Concept
3) Detailed design
4) Analysis: Modeling and simulation, FEM (Geometric data)
5) Optimize: shape/ structure/topology/ stresses etc
6) Evaluate testing/ Inspection/ Comparison
7) Communicate prepare drawings and details (documentation)

A CAD system consist of

1) Central processing unit
2) Work station, consisting of hardware equipment, software consisting of programmes.

Generally the basic activities of any CAD system are:

 Inputting e.g key board
 Storing e.g flash disk
 Processing e.g C.P.U
 Displaying e.g screen
 Outputting of information

Output
The output devices receive data from the computer and provide an output, hard copy. Examples
include printers and plotters.

Printers
The printers are classified as impact or non-impact. In impact printers, images are formed by a
striking action. Impact printers for drawing or document re-production are of the dot matrix
type and form shapes by the appropriate selection of small dots from the print head.
Non-impact printers include electrostatic, ink-jet (desk-jet) and laser printers.
Electrostatic printers create shapes by burning away a thin metallic coating on the special
printing paper.
The ink-jet or deskJet printers use a print head that directs a jet of ink at the paper to create the
required shapes.
The laser printers use a fine beam of laser light to create the required shapes. They are expensive
to maintain but are useful for mass production.

Plotters
There are two types of plotters, namely flatbed and drum.
Flatbed plotters: Have a flat area on which the paper of any type and thickness is placed and the
pens of various thickness and ink colours are free to move in any direction with plot head
providing all the motion.

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Drum plotters: Have a rotating drum over which the paper can move in two directions and pens
are limited to move only across the drum and, with a combination of pen movement and drum
rotation, provides the required motion.
Drawings of longer length but sometimes of lower precision are produced when compared with
flat bed plotters.

Display
The display devices are used for visual display of information. Three types are used namely;
storage, raster and refresh.
The storage tube: Has a phosphor surface on the inside of the tube and bombarded by electrons
to produce the drawing image. When the picture is produced, it remains stored on the screen
without flicker. Has a slow update image procedure and its color capability is limited.
The raster scan tube: Is similar to the television screen and uses a grid of dots known as pixels
to display the image. The resolution or clarity of the image depends on the number of pixels per
screen area. It achieves a fast update and a good quality of colour and resolution.
The refresh tube: Is maintained by regular redrawing, 50 times per second, of the picture lines,
arcs and curves. The points are initially located, then the required connecting lines or curves are
drawn directly with an elections beam. The updating is very rapid but color capability is limited
and there is a tendency to flicker as the picture becomes more complex.

Storage
Computer stores data in:
1) Primary storage: Is the main memory connected directly to the CPU.
2) Secondary storage: Is the auxiliary memory stored externally on magnetic discs and loaded
into the main memory when required.

Input
Input devices are used for making selections from a menu, which is a layout of a variety of
commands and functions required to operate the system. Sending these commands into the
computer produces complete engineering drawings. Menus are normally displayed on a flat
surface of the digitizing tablet connected to the computer, or on the computer screen itself.
In a digitizing tablet, the choice of optional commands is made by indicating the required
position on the tablet menu with a stylus - an electric pen like device or a puck - a device with
cross-hairs mounted in a block on the screen menu, the command choice is made by indicating
the required position with the cursor cross-hairs or by typing a required code.
Cursor movement on the screen can be controlled by:
1) A keyboard - it can be used to draw objects by typing commands and the specifying the
coordinates of each point by typing their values using a keyboard. This type of input system is
very slow and tedious for complex drawings.
2) A light pen - this is a small pen-sized device with a light sensitive diode at its tip and
connected to the computer by a cable. If the pen is pointed at a glowing spot on the display
screen, the diode detects this and passes a signal to a computer.
3) A mouse - this is a small block with a ball underneath which drives two potentiometers,
placed mutually perpendicular, to record the x and y motions of the mouse on the table. Wire

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from the mouse feed the signals to the computer. It’s very efficient and inputs data on the display
screen very fast.
4) Stylus in conjunction with the digitizing tablet - the tablet and a stylus can also be used to
input data from existing drawings. Since the x and y coordinates of a position on a tablet are
captured using the stylus, the stylus can be used to trace over a drawing and input lines to the
computer as a series of vectors stored in digital form. When used in this way, the tablet is
referred to as a digitizing tablet
5) A tracker ball
6) A joystick
7) A thumb wheel

Advantages of CAD
1) Constant quality drawing, the quality of lines dimensions symbols notes are independent of
the individual skills of the draughtsman
2) Saves time drawing that used to take weeks to complete can now be completed in one day or a
few minutes
3) Creation of data is collection of useful information that may be retrieved by draughtsman and
accessed by other processors at mouse click
4) Creation of library standards symbols such as bolts nuts screw can be used in the computer
memory and recalled when needed. They can also be positioned anywhere on the screen and
redrawn to any scale and angle of inclination
5) Use of layers drawings may be drawn on one of the available layers
6) Savings on repetition respective work on similar features or drawing ‘redrawing.
7) Greater accuracy due to computer mathematical accuracy a high level of dimensional control
is obtained with reduction in the number of mistakes resulting in accurate materials and cost
estimates.
8) Multicolor drawing visualization of drawing relates directly to the projections used different
colours obtainable by computers enhance the understanding.
9) Editing functions the powerful editing functions of correcting mistakes, deleting and inserting
new features can only made possible with the use of computers.
10) Saving on materials, designs can be tested before they are built on manufactured thereby
saving materials wastages.

Useful functions of CAD system

1) Scaling is the capability to enlarge or diminish the size of a displayed feature without
changing its shape
2) Zooming is the capability to enlarge or reduce a selected area of a drawing
3) Translating is the capacity to move parts of drawing and redrawing them in the new position
to selected scale
4) Rotation; is the capability of rotating the features about a selected centre and redrawing them
at the new angular position.

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5) Mirroring is the capability to create the reverse image of a feature about the chosen line of
symmetry
6) Duplicating is the capability of redrawing a feature or component many times and displayed it
in an orderly manner linearly or rotationally
7) Dimensioning once a drawing is ready; the CAD user can add dimensions by the computer to
measure and display the correct dimensional value.
8) Text: text can be produced in any size colour and style and can be placed at any angle

Disadvantages of CAD
1) High initial cost i.e purchase price initial inefficiency of staff as they learn new methods and
skills
2) Effects of working relationship when CAD is introduced it may lead the management to bring
specialist in the form of CAD manager
3) High running cost maintenance of the computer air conditioning software, additional software
additional time required to manage the installation
4) Limitation of software
5) Faulty software
6) Visual limitation arising from the computer screen size

CATEGORIZATION OF COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING

Engineering covers a very broad spectrum of activities just as is CAE. An engineer will have
studied such subjects like engineering drawing, design numerical methods, analysis techniques,
manufacturing techniques, organizational planning and control. All the above need computer
assistance and all fall into the definition of CAE; which can be categorized into four main areas,
namely:
1) Draughting and Design
2) Modelling and Analysis
3) Manufacture/production
4) Production Planning and Control

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CAD software structure

The input to this additional and modification of the model by the designer or draughtsman’s and
include the additional and geometrical details entities such as lines, curves notes or dimensions
and modifications to correct errors and enhance productivity.
The database for a CAD package contains data defining the two or three dimensions geometry of
the drawing or design
User interface design
The user interface design for CAD package is vital to its effectiveness in increasing productivity
in the activity for which it is tool

Rules to be adopted in designing user interface

1) A clear well presented screen layout

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2) Easy functions selection by a well structured menu system

3) Meaningful function names
4) Easy accessible and clearly written help information
Software selection
Questions to be asked when selecting software
1) Mainframe or pc/workstation platform?
A small company will not normally invest in mainframe installation unless it is justified in terms
of it by other department
2) Two dimensions or three lines surface or solids?
Most modular CAD packages have an inexpensive modeling and analysis modules, depending
on the type of Products Company produces surface modeling solids modeling or both may be
appropriate .line modeling is suitable only for limited spatial
3) Other analysis tools needed?
Does the company become involved in complex analytical design work such as stress or heat
transfer analysis or the design of kinematic, dyamic or control system?
4) Interaction with manufacturing needed?
Will the geometry be used directly to create manufacturing data or carry out process planning?
i.e c.n.c.(computer numerical controls) part programs the kinematic analysis of some design
packages may be useful for simulation process where robots are used
5) Compatibility with other system needed?
If the company carries out lot of contract work with other companies who use CAD, if does not
wish to be constrained to use the same system as those other companies. As no two CAD
packages define and store models on backing store identically. A procedure of conversion to and
from other CAD formats will always be required
6) How good is the maintenance and support from the supplier?
Bad maintenance and support from the software supplies can reduce productivity existing even
prior to acquiring the CAD system thereby nullifying the many benefits that the system may
offer
7) How much, how good, and how long is the training?
Many software suppliers provide their own training in using their packages, if a commitment
from the designers to study afterhours is sought them normal office activities are not so affected
than if one or more designers are absent for a week to attend a training course
8) How easy is it to expand the system?
CAD system which designs in a modular fashion will allow greater scope for expansibility.

Application of CAD
CAD has been applied to many industrial sectors.
1. The mechanical sector
The mechanical sector is the largest user of CAD systems. Applications are usually coupled with
manufacturing, forming a CAD/CAM system. The applications cover all types of manufacturing
operations, such as milling (2 ½, 3 – 5 axis of control), turning, wire EDM, punching, etc. The
user can test the part programme on screen prior to the transfer to the machine tool and

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accomplish collision detection, undercuts, etc. Most of the systems have a post processor
integrated to communicate with the machine tools.
2. AEC sector
The AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) sector is the second largest application
areas of CAD systems. Applications range from single a simple building design, to large scale
projects, interior design, static and dynamic analysis, etc. These applications are beyond the
scope of this report.
3. Electronics/Electrical engineering
The electronics engineering is the third largest application. The computer performs all IC
designs. It is the complexity of the designs that imposes the usage of CAD systems. Current
systems also include in their software a number of designs in order to offer some assistance to
the users for their new designs.
4. Apparel industry
The apparel industry is also a large user. The number of systems on offer is limited. A small
number of companies are offering systems for the apparel sector worldwide, while on a national
base there is a number of companies offering such systems. Systems for clothing are rather
expensive, because they are using specialised equipment, such as large plotters, cutters for
patterns, and automatic machines for cutting the fabric. Their application ranges from fashion
design to manufacturing. The largest usage of the systems is for pattern design and lay planning,
where most of the savings are achieved. It is absolutely necessary today for all companies
subcontracting a large supplier to be able to handle electronic data (pattern designs). Lay
planning can save on material and it can justify the investment in CAD. Today the application of
fashion design systems is becoming quite popular. These systems can produce a whole collection
on paper, saving a lot of money on sampling and quite often are connected to special ink-jet
printers capable of printing on fabric for quick sampling. Similar to the CNC machines used in
metal manufacturing, computer controlled machines exist in the apparel industry. These
machines perform fabric laying and cutting automatically and they are controlled directly from
the CAD systems. In addition, they can be combined with storage system in front of them
forming a kind of Flexible Manufacturing Cell.

AutoCAD
Why use AutoCAD?
AUTOCAD stands for Automatic Computer Aided Drawing and Design. AutoCAD is computer
aided design software developed by Autodesk Inc. AutoCAD was first introduced in 1982. It is
very powerful software used by designers in almost all fields. By the year 2000, it is estimated
that there were over 4 million AutoCAD users worldwide. What this means to you is that many
employers are in need of AutoCAD operators. In addition, learning AutoCAD will give you the
basics for learning other CAD packages because many commands, terms and concepts are used
universally.
The programme comes in various versions such as release 12, 13, 14 and the latest ones on the
same are autoCAD 2000, 2001, ......., 2015, 2016, etc. The latest is the higher version of the
previous one. Thus it can perform more functions than the previous one.

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