AutoCAD is a software application for CAD and drafting built on Autodesk’s proprietary kernel named Shapemanager. Developed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first to run on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers. As it is available on thirteen different languages, AutoCAD is widely used by architects, project managers engineers, graphic designers, city planners and other professionals all over the globe.
AutoCAD enables professionals to draft and edit 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces and meshes, annotate drawings with text, leaders, dimensions and tables, customize wit add-on apps and API.
There are different versions of AutoCAD. AutoCAD LT is the lower cost version, with limited capabilities. AutoCAD 360 is an account-based mobile and web application. Its users can view, edit and share files via mobile device and web. To add to it, students can use free student versions of AutoCAD, which are almost identical to the full commercial one.
NX, also known as Unigraphics is an advanced CAD, CAM, CAE application which is owned by Siemens PLM Software. It is commonly used for design, engineering analysis and manufacturing. NX is built on Parasolid and runs on Linux, Microsoft Windows, and MacOS.
On the CAD level UX provides parametric solid modeling, freeform surface modeling, reverse engineering, styling, engineering drawing, PMI, reporting and analysis, knowledge-based engineering, sheet metal design, assembly modeling, routing for wiring and piping. In CAE key functions are stress analysis, kinematics processes, CFD and thermal analysis. As for the CAM level, the main function is numeric control programming.
A CAD file is an output of a CAD software, containing key information about the designed object: its geometry and topology representation, 3D model hierarchy, metadata, and visual attributes depending on the format of the file.
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