Project designers and their workspaces have changed greatly throughout the years. Back in the 50’s, designers worked over a drafting machine with their drawing pens, blueprints, and scale rulers.
While these worked well, they were eventually replaced by the Unix System with the introduction of the Dimension III Systems in 1982. This hardware came alongside its companion software, PADL-2. With this novel technology, project designers now virtually mapped out their projects with a stylus and keyboard.
The Rise of CAD Software Innovation
Just 14 years later, the original model of the Dimension III Systems was streamlined and reinvented by Silicon Graphics Inc. The new model, Indigo2 IMPACT R10000, was much more compact than its predecessor and looked more like the computers of today. It also came with its own proprietary software called PTC Pro/ENGINEER. Compared to PADL-2, this new CAD software was based on rule-based constraints and parameters, which made it easier to use.
However, around this time, Acer released the Aspire (575LB). This model was released to use Windows 95 and Linux rather than a proprietary operating system. The CAD software itself, SOLIDWORKS, was also much more intuitive than its predecessors.
Both of these reasons made CAD much easier to pick up for new users, who were already partially familiar with their hardware and operating systems. Furthermore, the cost per seat of SOLIDWORKS was under one-third of the Indigo2 and around 8% of the original Dimension III Systems.
Conclusion
Over 30 years later, this accessibility has allowed SOLIDWORKS to grow into one of the largest CAD programs. Now, with the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), CAD programs are reaching even new heights.
For example, Aura AI from SOLIDWORKS learns from user behavior and offers predictive solutions. It can also handle any user inquiries and help you translate real life images to CAD. Ultimately, if you’re looking to get ahead on your project, taking advantage of Aura AI is the best step forward.
Source: SolidWorks
