AutoCAD is a computer-aided software drafting program. It is used for a variety of applications, such as making plans for buildings, bridges, and PC chips, to give a few examples. AutoCAD is a 2D and 3D computer-aided drafting programming application. It is commercial software. Since 1982 it was a desktop application. Since 2010, it has been accessible as a portable, web-based and cloud-based application and known as AutoCAD 360.
In this article, a brief description about the advantages of Autocad and the disadvantages of AutoCAD is provided:
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Advantages of using AutoCAD
A mid-range software
User friendly
Meets most of the professional needs of a mechanical engineer
Lots of time savings (but not always)
Paperless environment
Ease of precision — for example, joining lines face to face is not possible manually with the desired precision
Easy to edit
Ease of repetition/addition
Drawing reproduction is easy, fast and reliable in terms of accuracy and dimensional precision.
Producing 2D and 3D drawings is very easy.
The Zoom Command Facility allows us to see the smallest details in a larger scale view.
A part library modeling and manufacturing facility is available.
The Parent – Child relationship allows multiple edits in a single command, which means that if one part is edited, all other linked parts will be edited automatically
Data handling, storage and classification become very easy in flexible format compared to conventional printing and archiving.
Data transmission to far and remote areas is very easy and cost-effective through email and link sharing.
The Layers option allows us to hide or show some specific details of a complex assembly drawing for clear understanding.
There is no limitation on the size of the drawing. You can draw a line 2 light years through a suitable scale.
Auto scaling option is available. Full scale drawings can be formed.
The geometric relationship can facilitate quick mathematical operations, for example, you can make an inscribed circle using dimensions of the triangle or polygon, etc.
BOM or BOQ can be produced accurately
Mass, area, volume, center of gravity can be calculated
Automatic sizing – easy, accurate and fast, done in a short time.
Dimension standards are strictly followed
Gold operation is possible.
Copy, scale, move, stretch, rotate and pattern commands make the task simple and easy
Draw Guiding through Osnap, Ortho etc.
Direct and fast drawing of symmetrical objects. e.g. circle, ellipse, polygonal rectangles and triangles, etc.
Geometric relationships are possible. Like two parallel lines, tangent lines, perpendicular lines etc.
Fixed line thickness throughout the drawing. —– remember that “by default, Auto Cad line thickness is zero”
The fill, hatch, section lines, chamfer and fillet commands make the software a blessing as these operations are very difficult in manual drawing.
Adding Text – Lettering – is a great facility
Images can be imported and plotted to digitize conventional diagrams and drawings.
Disadvantages of using AutoCAD
Expensive equipment is required. such as computer, plotter, large screen monitor etc.
Registered software is expensive and requires a high annual recurring fee.
The equipment is fragile and can be drastically damaged.
Continuous updating of equipment and software is required.
Electricity is mandatory for the operation of the equipment, which is a major problem for third world countries like Pakistan, which is currently facing serious energy crises.
Data storage is also fragile – high probability of data corruption, data loss is a major threat to all flexible format databases. To overcome this potential disaster, experts suggest “Data Mirroring”, which is storing data on multiple hard drives in multiple locations, which involves a large capital allocation. Some disaster data recovery systems may also be involved in recovering lost data.
Threats of piracy and hackers are always present when you use the Internet for data transfer or even storing data on an Internet-connected computer.
Special computer knowledge is required.
Proper maintenance, supervision, and administration are necessary for computer networks.
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