What are the most important CAD design principles for a new professional to master?

If you are starting your career as a CAD professional, you might be wondering what are the most important design principles to master. CAD, or computer-aided design, is the use of software to create, modify, analyze, and optimize designs for various fields and applications. CAD can help you improve your productivity, accuracy, creativity, and collaboration. However, to make the most of CAD, you need to follow some basic guidelines and best practices. In this article, we will discuss six essential CAD design principles that can help you create better and more efficient designs.

1 Know your goals

Before you start designing, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your CAD project. What is the purpose, scope, and specification of your design? Who are the intended users, clients, or stakeholders? What are the requirements, constraints, and standards that you need to follow? Knowing your goals will help you plan your design process, choose the right tools and methods, and avoid unnecessary revisions and errors.

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Sai Sharath Gouriraju

#DesignEngineer 8yr Exp #Ex QuestGlobal(GE Vernova Switzerland) #Ex SVT (Synergies castings,Siemens, L&T,CMAC,BuildMate,TTI China) #CAD Design Project Consultant (SmpliFEA,Sridevi tools,Skivora,Crenodez,OFT, 3Diest)
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Goals in CAD model... Here the design is the master. Understand the customer input first second try to analyse the best tool required to design the product third try to assimilate all your experience and flowchart you made earlier then start CAD...

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Antoine BRUN

Student at ESILV - Ecole Supérieure d'Ingénieurs Léonard de Vinci
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Comprendre pleinement vos objectifs en conception assistée par ordinateur (CAO) représente le fondement crucial pour un nouveau professionnel. En définissant clairement les attentes, la portée du projet et les spécifications requises, vous orientez votre démarche. Identifiez les utilisateurs finaux, leurs besoins spécifiques et les normes de l'industrie pour orienter efficacement votre conception. Cette connaissance approfondie de vos objectifs facilite non seulement la planification du processus de conception, mais aussi la sélection des outils adéquats et des approches appropriées, réduisant ainsi les révisions coûteuses et les erreurs potentielles.

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2 Use layers and blocks

One of the most useful features of CAD software is the ability to organize your design elements into layers and blocks. Layers are like transparent sheets that you can stack on top of each other, each containing different types of objects. Blocks are groups of objects that you can reuse and manipulate as a single unit. Using layers and blocks can help you simplify your design, manage your data, control your visibility and display, and edit your objects more easily.

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Sai Sharath Gouriraju

#DesignEngineer 8yr Exp #Ex QuestGlobal(GE Vernova Switzerland) #Ex SVT (Synergies castings,Siemens, L&T,CMAC,BuildMate,TTI China) #CAD Design Project Consultant (SmpliFEA,Sridevi tools,Skivora,Crenodez,OFT, 3Diest)
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Layers and blocks mean here the standard way of hiding and creating a geometry in a card model in certain areas we require the geometry in assembly or model to hide them and show them in a sequential manner so for this to happen we require a system called layer and this layers help the user to hide the features in a selective manner layers is different from hide and show... Some features like layer visible in view completely hides the geometry in a layer and if you try to hide and show it will not make any sense in the particular view this credit is possible only in NX follow more in deep nx sessions

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3 Follow conventions and standards

CAD design is not only a creative process, but also a technical and professional one. Therefore, you need to follow certain conventions and standards that are widely accepted and recognized in your industry or field. For example, you need to use consistent and appropriate units, dimensions, annotations, symbols, colors, fonts, and styles. You also need to follow the rules and regulations that apply to your design, such as safety, quality, and environmental standards. Following conventions and standards can help you communicate your design clearly, accurately, and effectively.

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David Castillo, MEng - MASRR

CAD Designer | Professor | Content Creator
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En el caso de los delineantes recomiendo ampliemente conocer sobre la normativa ANSI para dibujo, asi como la simbologia de GD&T no menos importante son las simbologias de soldadura para esto recomiendo los simbolos de la AWS ya que son los mas comunes, y sobre los codigos de tolerancias ya que en ocasiones son necesarios.

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Sai Sharath Gouriraju

#DesignEngineer 8yr Exp #Ex QuestGlobal(GE Vernova Switzerland) #Ex SVT (Synergies castings,Siemens, L&T,CMAC,BuildMate,TTI China) #CAD Design Project Consultant (SmpliFEA,Sridevi tools,Skivora,Crenodez,OFT, 3Diest)
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Conventions and standards means units colours fonts and all the respective styles of the respective CAD software and the client requirements you might use Arial for general purposes abd italic for any client requirement specifically project and client to client

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4 Optimize your performance

CAD software can be very powerful and versatile, but it can also be very demanding and complex. To ensure that your design runs smoothly and efficiently, you need to optimize your performance and avoid unnecessary complications. For example, you need to keep your file size as small as possible, delete unused objects and layers, purge your data regularly, and use external references instead of copying objects. You also need to backup your files frequently, update your software, and check for errors and bugs.

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5 Be creative and innovative

CAD design is not only about following rules and procedures, but also about expressing your ideas and vision. CAD software can offer you many tools and features that can help you unleash your creativity and innovation. For example, you can use 3D modeling, rendering, animation, simulation, and parametric design to create realistic, dynamic, and interactive designs. You can also use online platforms, libraries, and communities to find inspiration, share your work, and learn from others.

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Sai Sharath Gouriraju

#DesignEngineer 8yr Exp #Ex QuestGlobal(GE Vernova Switzerland) #Ex SVT (Synergies castings,Siemens, L&T,CMAC,BuildMate,TTI China) #CAD Design Project Consultant (SmpliFEA,Sridevi tools,Skivora,Crenodez,OFT, 3Diest)
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Creativity involves how you want to present the model to the client In nx we have multiple windows and section view to show details about the internal parts like in Breakout section you we can show internal details and multiple settings are available in NX that really helps in drawing a lot

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6 Collaborate and communicate

CAD design is not only an individual activity, but also a collaborative and communicative one. CAD software can help you work with other designers, engineers, clients, and stakeholders in various ways. For example, you can use cloud-based services, file-sharing systems, and online collaboration tools to access, edit, and share your files anytime and anywhere. You can also use feedback, comments, and markups to communicate your ideas, suggestions, and revisions. Collaborating and communicating can help you improve your design quality, efficiency, and satisfaction.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ely Knowles

Engineering Technician at Zimmer Biomet
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Take breaks! Take 5 minutes every hour and look at something other than your monitor. Talk to a co-worker about something else. Your eyes will get a much needed break and more often than not, the best ideas come to mind when youre not trying to actively solve the problem.

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Sai Sharath Gouriraju

#DesignEngineer 8yr Exp #Ex QuestGlobal(GE Vernova Switzerland) #Ex SVT (Synergies castings,Siemens, L&T,CMAC,BuildMate,TTI China) #CAD Design Project Consultant (SmpliFEA,Sridevi tools,Skivora,Crenodez,OFT, 3Diest)
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True to your design it is always required that you seek mentor support and your friends support and get the best inputs so that your design is always better

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What are the most important CAD design principles for a new professional to master?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your goals

2 Use layers and blocks

3 Follow conventions and standards

4 Optimize your performance

5 Be creative and innovative

6 Collaborate and communicate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

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What are the most important CAD design principles for a new professional to master?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your goals

2 Use layers and blocks

3 Follow conventions and standards

4 Optimize your performance

5 Be creative and innovative

6 Collaborate and communicate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Rate this article

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