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.
Rhinoceros (typically abbreviated Rhino, or Rhino3D) is a commercial 3D computer graphics and computer-aided design (CAD) application software developed by Robert McNeel & Associates. It is used in industries including architecture, industrial and product design, in multimedia and graphic design and runs on Microsoft Windows and OS X. Rhino uses Grasshopper, a visual scripting language add-on, developed by Robert McNeel & Associates.
Rhino is based on the NURBS mathematical model, so it focuses on producing precise representations of curves and freedom surfaces. It allows users to create, edit, analyse, and visualize NURBS curves, surfaces, solid bodies, point clouds and polymeshes.
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.
Read moreRead how Holo-light, a leader in the XR market, has integrated CAD Exchanger into its platform to provide flawless CAD file reading for XR applications.
Read moreIn the sixth part, we are going to get a closer look at exploded view mode.
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