ABSTRACT

CAD software, also referred to as Computer Aided Design software and

in the past as computer aided drafting software, refers to software programs
that assist engineers and designers in a wide variety of industries to design
and manufacture physical products ranging from buildings, bridges, roads,
aircraft, ships and cars to digital cameras, mobile phones, TVs, clothes and of
course computers. CAD software is often referred to as CAD CAM software
('CAM' is the acronym for Computer Aided Machining).
The story of CAD/CAM was accelerated in early 1950s. Up to the year 2013 it
has become one of the most used technologies available. It is being used in
almost all the fields of engineering but primarily in mechanical engineering
branches, and now has spread its wings to other fields such as architecture.
Sketchpad was the world's first CAD software but the first commercial CAM
software system, a numerical control programming tool named PRONTO, had
already been developed in 1957 by Dr. Patrick J. Hanratty. For that reason it
is Dr. Hanratty who is most often referred to as "the father of CAD CAM".
CAD/CAM on a stand-alone or as an addition to other qualifications can land
an individual several job opportunities, such as:

CAD/CAM Engineering

Design Engineer

Plastic/Aluminum Part Designing

CNC/DNC Programming

CAD/CAM software and hardware development

CAD/CAM software maintenance

Simulation technology

Robotics

Digital art and advertising

Medical imaging systems

INTRODUCTION
In this report the development of CAD/CAM from the early part of the 1980s
down to this year is presented. Also are a much more in depth description of
a few major CAD/CAM packages on the market. CAD/CAM software comes in
two packages, commercial and In house. IN house being for design
companies for their customized use. The major companies providing open
source or commercial packages include Siemens, Autodesk, Dassault,
Delcam and PTC.
Below are some of the commercial packages in the present market
AutoCAD and Mechanical Desktop are some low-end CAD software systems,
which are mainly used for 2D modeling and drawing.
NX, Pro-E, CATIA and I-DEAS are high-end modeling and designing software
systems that are costlier but more powerful. These software systems also
have computer aided manufacturing and engineering analysis capabilities.
Ansys, Abaqus, Nastran, Fluent and CFX are packages mainly used for
analysis of structures and fluids. Different software are used for different
proposes. For example, Fluent is used for fluids and Ansys is used for
structures.
Alibre and CollabCAD are some of the latest CAD systems that focus on
collaborative design, enabling multiple users of the software to collaborate
on computer-aided design over the Internet.

MARKET ANALYSIS OF CAD/CAM SODTWARE DEVELOPERS ON THE

PRESENT MARKET

NX 8 SIEMENS PLM
NX, also known as NX Unigraphics or usually just U-G, is an advanced
CAD/CAM/CAE software package developed by Siemens PLM Software who in
2007 for $3.5 billion acquired it from Unigraphics (UGS)
NX 8 has 4 effects, which is far more than the average for all CAD Software.
The software also offers 18 tools and design features, which is significantly
more than the average for all CAD Software. CAD software with more tools,
effects and design features does not necessarily make it the best program
for you; too many options can clutter the workspace and inhibit the design
process for inexperienced users. This latest NX release includes new and
enhanced capabilities for feature modeling, sheet metal design, synchronous
technology, freeform modeling, validation checking and drafting. Streamlined

CAD workflows and an enhanced user

experience improve productivity, minimize
input, and reduce the effort required to
accomplish design tasks.

CATIA- Dassault Systemes

CATIA
(Computer
Aided
Threedimensional Interactive Application) is
a multi-platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial
software suite developed by the French
company Dassault Systemes. Written in the
C++ programming language, CATIA is the
cornerstone of the Dassault Systemes
product lifecycle management software
suite. The software was created in the late
1970s and early 1980s to develop
Dassault's Mirage fighter jet, and then was
adopted in the aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, and other industries.

DELCAM
Delcam is one of the world's leading suppliers of advanced CAD/CAM
software product development solutions for the manufacturing industry.

The company has grown steadily since being founded formally in 1977, after
initial development work at Cambridge University, UK. It is now a global
developer of product design and manufacturing software, with subsidiaries in
North America, Europe and Asia.

AutoCAD (CAD)
AutoCAD is a CAD (Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting)
software application for 2D and 3D design and drafting, developed and sold
by Autodesk, Inc. Initially released in late 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first
CAD programs to run on personal computers, and notably the IBM PC. Most
CAD software at the time ran on graphics terminals connected to mainframe
computers or mini-computers.
In earlier releases, AutoCAD used primitive entities such as lines,
polylines, circles, arcs, and text as the foundation for more complex
objects. Since the mid-1990s, AutoCAD has supported custom objects
through its C++ API. Modern
AutoCAD includes a full set of basic
solid modeling and 3D tools. With
the release of AutoCAD 2007 came
improved
3D
modeling
functionality, which meant better
navigation when working in 3D.
Moreover, it became easier to edit
3D models. The mental ray engine
was included in rendering, it was
now
possible
to
do
quality
renderings
AutoCAD supports a number of application programming interfaces (APIs) for
customization and automation, which was also the base for products
extending AutoCAD functionality to specific fields, to create products such as
AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or third-party
AutoCAD-based applications.

Pro/ENGINEERElements/Pro

Creo

Pro/ENGINEER now known as Creo

Elements/Pro
is
a
parametric,
integrated 3D CAD/CAM solution created
by Parametric Technology Corporation
(PTC).
PTC Creo Parametric is the standard in 3D CAD). It was the first to market
with parametric, feature-based, associative solid modeling software on the
market. The application runs on Microsoft Windows and UNIX platforms, and
provides solid modeling, assembly modelling and drafting, finite element
analysis, and NC and tooling functionality for mechanical engineers.

198
1

Unigraphics introduced the first solid modeling system, UniSolid.

It was based on PADL-2, and was sold as a stand-alone product to
Unigraphics.

198
2

CATIA Version 1 is announced as an add-on product for 3D design,

surface modeling and NC programming.

AutoCAD Release 1.0 was launched.

Unigraphics II introduced to market

AutoCAD Release 1.1 was launched.

AutoCAD Release 1.2 was launched.

AutoCAD Release 1.4 was launched.

198
4

AutoCAD Release 2 was launched.

198

CATIA Version 2 is announced with fully integrated drafting, solid

198
3

and robotics functions.

CATIA becomes the aeronautical applications leader.

AutoCAD Release 2.1 was launched.

198
5

Diehl Graphsoft, Inc. is founded and the first version of MiniCAD is

shipped in the same year. MiniCAD will become the bestselling
CAD program on the Macintosh.

198
6

Dassault acquires CADAM

AutoCAD Release 2.5 was launched.

General Motors selects Unigraphics company as a Strategic

Partner

Pro/ENGINEER 1 - 1987 (Autofact 1987 premier)

AutoCAD Release 13 was launched.

AutoCAD Release 2.6 was launched.

CATIA Version 3 is announced with AEC functionality. CATIA is

ported to IBM's UNIX-based RISC System/6000 workstations.
CATIA becomes the automotive applications leader

AutoCAD Release 10 was launched

198
9

Parametric Technology ships the first version of Pro/ENGINEER.

199
0

AutoCAD Release 11 was launched.

199
1

Pro/ENGINEER 8.0 - 1991

199
2

CADAM was purchased from IBM and the next year CATIA CADAM
V4 was published

Pro/ENGINEER 9.0 - 1992

AutoCAD Release 12 was launched.

198
7

198
8

199
3

Pro/ENGINEER (10.0-12.0) - 1993

199
4

Pro/ENGINEER (13.0-14.0) - 1994

AutoCAD Release 13 was launched.

Dassault Systems ships ProCADAM, a shorter version of CATIA for

use on NT systems.

Pro/ENGINEER 15.0 - 1995

Unigraphics on Microsoft Windows NT debuted

EDS Unigraphics version 11 with 4 new CAM modules.

In August Autodesk ships Mechanical Desktop version 1.1

Pro/E version 17 with a new module which allows files to be

exported into VRML file format for display on the Internet.

Pro/ENGINEER 16.0 - 1996

AutoCAD Release 14 was launched.

Pro/ENGINEER (17.0-18.0)- 1997

199
8

Pro/ENGINEER (19.0-20.0) - 1998

199
9

Unigraphics Solutions signs five-year, $43 million contract with

Boeing for CAD/CAM Software

In June Pro/E 2000i was launched.

Unigraphics Solutions Acquires German high-tech Company,

dCADE.

March - Dassault Systems introduces CATIA Version 5.

AutoCAD 2000 was released.

199
5

199
6

199
7

200
0

200
1

200
2

Dassault Systemes and announced the readiness of CATIA

Solutions Version 5 Release 3(b) (V5R3) for Microsoft Windows
2000 operating platform.

PTC announced two major updates to its PTC i-Series of flexible

engineering solutions: Pro/MECHANICA 2000i and Pro/DESKTOP
2000i.

Dassault Systemes announced that it plans to integrate

Microsoft's Visual BASIC for Applications into its products,
including SolidWorks, CATIA, SmarTeam, ENOVIA, and DELMIA..

IBM and Dassault Systemes launched Version 5 Release 5 of

CATIA, to be available for Windows and UNIX.

Delcam has been the world's leading specialist supplier of NC

machining software and services during 2000.
Second position is Hitachi Zosen followed by Cimatron.

SolidWorks 2001

Unigraphics Version 17 was launched.

Pro/ENGINEER 2000i2 - 2000

AutoCAD 2000i was released.

SolidWorks 2001 Plus launched

Unigraphics Version 18 was launched.

Pro/ENGINEER 20012001

AutoCAD 2002 was released.

SolidWorks 2003 was released.

Unigraphics NX was launched.

Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 1.0 - 2002

AutoCAD 2003 was released.

200
3

200
4

200
5

200
6

200
7

200
8

SolidWorks 2004

UG NX 2 was launched

AutoCAD 2004 was released.

SolidWorks 2005

UG NX 3 was launched.

Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 - 2004

AutoCAD 2005 was released.

SolidWorks 2006 (Native Windows x86-64 version was released

from SP4.0 onwards)

AutoCAD 2006 was released.

SolidWorks 2007 (A Beta version for Vista exists with limited

support.)

UG NX 4 was launched.

Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 3.0 - 2006

AutoCAD 2007 was released.

SolidWorks 2008: Includes full support for Vista x86. Out in

October, 2007. SP3.1 includes native Vista x64 support

UGS was purchased by Siemens AG in May 2007, and was

renamed Siemens PLM Software.

UG NX 5 was launched.

AutoCAD 2008 was released.

SolidWorks 2009: Released September, 2008. Includes native

Vista x86 and x64 support. Final update is SP5.1

Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology was launched.

Dassault announced and released CATIA V6.

200
9

201
0

201
1

201
2

201
3

Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 4.0 - 2008

AutoCAD 2009 was released.

NX 6 was launched by SIEMENS PLM Softwares.

SolidWorks 2010: SP0.0 Released October, 2009.

Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology 2 was launched.

Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0 - 2009

AutoCAD 2010 was released on 24 March 2009.

NX 7 was launched by SIEMENS PLM Softwares.

AutoCAD 2011 is launched on 25th March 2010.

NX 7.5launched in 2010. NX 7.5 to include more industrial

design enhancements to make styling easier.

Creo element pro R 5.0 launched in2010.(Pro/Engineer)

SolidWorks 2011: Launched in jun 2010.

AutoCAD 2012 is launched on 22 march 2011.

NX 8 is launched on 17th october 2011.

SolidWorks 2012 is released on 10 october 2011.

Creo 1.0 launched in 2011.(Pro/Engineer)

AutoCAD 20132 is launched on 27 March 2012.

SolidWorks 2013 released in September, 2012.

Creo 2.0 launched in 2012.(Pro/Engineer)

AutoCAD 2014 will be launched on 28 March 2013.

Creo 3.0 launched in 2013.(Pro/Engineer)

CONCLUSION
3D CAD software is today dominated by 3 vendors, Dassault Systemes, PTC and UGS.
Their 3D CAD software products are very similar - in fact so functionally similar that they
now almost always avoid competing on 3D CAD functionality but instead focus almost
exclusively on their PLM capabilities and "business process innovation".
Technical innovation in 3D CAD software seems to have flown out of the window as PLM
stomped in through the door, and with development ongoing much more innovative and
complete packages are to be expected.
Without these CAD/CAM software packages it will be unlikely for Engineering to move
forward thereby bringing development and technological advances to a standstill.

RFEERENCES
1. http://cadcamfunda.com/cadcam_for_students
2. http://cadhelpcenter.com
3. http://www.cadcamnews.in/
4. Mastering CAD/CAM (Engineering Series) (Hardcover) Ibrahi Zeid
5. CAD/CAM: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Mikell P. Groover
and Emory W., Jr. Zimmers
6. http://www.cadazz.com/index.htm