As a designer at an architecture firm, I can’t imagine my life without CAD (computer-aided design software). If my first-year hand drafting studio taught me anything, it’s that hand drafting is a painfully slow and meticulous way to create a drawing set. Although it almost felt like a work of art after I had completed a sketch, the effort to control the pencil and the perpetual sharpening to draw a consistent line flawlessly has made me appreciate CAD. 

During this work at home period, I created a historical timeline of CAD and how it has evolved over the years.

Foundation of CAD

1957 PRONTO - CAD was invented by Patrick Hanratty in 1957 when he released PRONTO, the world’s first CNC (computer-numerically controlled) programming system for tooling operations.

1959 CAD - The term CAD was coined by Douglas T. Ross in 1959; he was an MIT researcher that developed CAD to create power circuit diagrams.

1960 SKETCHPAD - Created by Ivan Sutherland through his Ph.D. thesis at MIT, this program allows the user to interact through a screen using a light pen to draft.

Large Commercial Adoption of CAD

1967 DIGIGRAPHICS - This was one of the first commercial CAD systems with graphic terminals to go on sale at a price of $500,000.

1970 SYNTHAVISION - This was the first commercially available 3D solid modeling program that rendered though the ray-tracing method. It helped create the CGI animation for the movie Tron in 1982.

1971 ADAM (Automated Drafting and Machining) - Built by Patrick Hanratty, this interactive graphic design, drafting, and manufacturing system was designed to work on almost all mainframe computer machines at the time.

Personal Computer Focused CAD

1978 UNIGRAPHICS - ADAM’s software code was elevated to an advanced high-end software used by many corporations. This was the standard CAD software at that time.

1982 AUTODESK AUTOCAD - This was the first 2D design CAD software made for PCs to create precise 2D and 3D drawings. From this point on, CAD became more affordable.

Incorporation of 3D in CAD

1987 PRO/ENGINEER - The first Mainstream CAD program that took ideas of the original Sketchpad that was sold to the public. It was also the industry’s first parametric 3D CAD system.

1994 AUTODESK AUTOCAD - In its 13th version of Autocad, this program made the Autodesk program 3D compatible.

1994 STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) - The International Organization for Standardization developed a new standard 3D CAD file system, which is still the most used format.

1995 SOLIDWORKS 95 - Another 3D CAD software that was easy-to-use and affordable. It allowed more designers to take advantage of 3D CAD technology. 

CAD on the Go 

1996  CATIA CONFERENCING GROUPWARE - One of the first to introduce networked collaborative work in CAD. It allowed users to work together on the same CATIA model in real time.

2000 ALIBRE DESIGN - Founded in 1997, Alibre worked closely with Microsoft in 1998 to develop the first web-based collaborative 3D design software.

2012 AUTODESK 360 - Cloud-based platform that allows you to collaborate in a cloud. It allows for simple cloud storage and file sharing.

2013 3D CAD APP - The first 3D CAD mobile app created by CADENAS, a leading software developer of Strategic Parts Management.

2015 ONSHAPE - A cloud based CAD program that processes on internet-based servers, allowing teams to collaborate on a single design together by editing a shared document through the cloud.

Future

2019 HOLOLENS 2 - Interacting with vast amounts of information through Instinctual Interface and MR (Mixed Reality). Although this demonstration isn’t directly related to CAD, you can begin to see the possibilities of the future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIHPPtPBgHk

In short, it’s the research and ideas that sparked the concept of CAD. It was the economic value and features that turned it into a major commercial product that dominates the industry.

I am thankful to have CAD assist me in my projects and excited for the next advancement of this system. However, I must continue to learn and create in this field for years to come — after all, CAD is only as good as it’s designers.