The history of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) began in the mid-20th century and has seen significant advancements with technological progress. The development of CAD has had a profound impact on design and engineering, transitioning from 2D drawings to 3D modeling. Here is a chronological overview of the major milestones in CAD development.
1940s - 1950s
1949: MIT's Whirlwind project demonstrated the possibilities of real-time computing, laying the foundation for future CAD systems.
1957: Dr. Patrick J. Hanratty developed the first CAD system, 'DAC-1' (Design Augmented by Computers), at General Motors.
1960s
1963: Ivan Sutherland at MIT developed Sketchpad, the first graphical interface system allowing users to draw directly on a computer screen with a graphic input device. It is considered the precursor to modern CAD.
1965: Hanratty developed ADAM (Automated Drafting and Machining) at General Motors, one of the first commercially successful CAD systems.
1970s
1971: Dr. Hanratty founded Manufacturing and Consulting Services (MCS) and developed AD-2000, the first commercial CAD system.
1977: CATIA started as an internal project at Dassault Aviation, initially used for aircraft design and focusing mainly on 3D surface modeling.
1977: Patrick J. Hanratty developed a new CAD software called CADAM, which became popular among manufacturers.
1980s
1981: Dassault Systèmes commercialized CATIA V1, primarily used in the aerospace industry with strong surface modeling capabilities.
1982: Autodesk was founded, and the same year, it released AutoCAD 1.0. AutoCAD quickly gained popularity due to its affordability and user-friendly interface.
1984: CATIA V2 was released, featuring enhanced graphics and interactive 3D design capabilities.
1987: Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) launched Pro/ENGINEER, the first parametric, feature-based 3D CAD system, allowing users to capture and manage design intent.
1988: CATIA V3 was introduced, available on UNIX platforms, expanding its usability.
1990s
1994: CATIA V4 was released, supporting large assemblies and more complex surface modeling. This version was widely adopted in the automotive and aerospace industries.
1995: SolidWorks Corporation released the first Windows-based 3D CAD software, SolidWorks, which quickly gained popularity due to its intuitive user interface and powerful features.
1998: CATIA V5 was launched, operating in a Windows environment and introducing parametric design and feature-based modeling, significantly enhancing design flexibility and efficiency.
1999: Dassault Systèmes released CATIA V5, a 3D CAD software optimized for complex product design in the aerospace and automotive industries.
2000s
2002: Siemens PLM Software released NX (formerly Unigraphics), offering an advanced integrated solution for 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE, widely used across various industries.
2007: Autodesk launched Autodesk Fusion 360, the first cloud-based CAD solution, providing collaboration and data management features to revolutionize design and engineering workflows.
2010s - Present
2010s: With advancements in cloud computing and mobile technology, CAD software evolved accordingly. Fully cloud-based CAD systems like Onshape emerged.
2012: Dassault Systèmes introduced the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, integrating multiple software solutions, including CATIA V6, to provide a unified environment for collaboration, simulation, and data management.
2013: Autodesk released Fusion 360, a cloud-based collaborative design tool.
2019: Dassault Systèmes introduced the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, integrating CATIA V6 and other software solutions to provide a unified environment for collaboration, simulation, and data management.
Features, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Major CAD Programs and Their Usage
Each program was developed to meet specific industry needs and offers unique functionalities and strengths.
