What is CAD, and what does it mean?
CAD (computer-aided design) means preparing the drawing and model of a part, machine, building or plant on a computer instead of paper, to scale and editable. CAD software is the common tool of engineering and architecture, from 2D technical drawings to 3D models, manufacturing drawings and building information modelling (BIM). This guide explains what CAD is, its types, how it differs from CAM and BIM, and what to check when choosing CAD software.
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What does CAD mean?
CAD stands for computer-aided design. Some sources also use CADD (computer-aided design and drafting). In CAD software, lines, arcs, layers, dimensions and 3D solids are drawn at their real size; the drawing can be changed, copied and shared as often as needed and made ready for manufacturing or the construction site.
In hand drafting, a change often meant redrawing the sheet. With CAD a change takes minutes, the same drawing prints at different scales, bills of materials and dimensions come straight from the drawing, and files go to customers, suppliers and the site by e-mail.
A short history
Sketchpad, regarded as the forerunner of today’s CAD, is the program Ivan Sutherland wrote at MIT Lincoln Laboratory in 1963 for his PhD thesis; it let users draw directly on the screen with a light pen. AutoCAD, which brought CAD to the personal computer, was released in December 1982, and its file format DWG became the common language for exchanging technical drawings. BricsCAD is among the programs that use DWG as their own file format today.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Sketchpad”, Wikipedia, “AutoCAD”; accessed 4 November 2026.
What is CAD used for, and who uses it?
Architecture and interiors
Site plans, floor plans, sections, elevations and detail sheets; DWG exchange with municipalities and project consultants.
Mechanical and manufacturing
Part and assembly models, sheet-metal unfolding, manufacturing drawings, tolerances and bills of materials; drawings for machine tools and suppliers.
Construction and infrastructure
Structural and construction drawings, road, channel and infrastructure drawings, quantity take-off and up-to-date sheets for the site.
Electrical, MEP and plant
Single-line diagrams, panel layouts, plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation drawings, factory layouts.
Types of CAD: 2D, 3D, parametric and BIM
2D CAD (technical drawing)
Two-dimensional drawings such as plans, sections, elevations, diagrams and manufacturing drawings. Most drawings exchanged in architecture, engineering and manufacturing projects in Turkey are still 2D DWG; so a CAD program that is fast, stable and fully DWG-compatible in 2D is the basis of daily work.
3D CAD (solid, surface and mesh modelling)
Modelling an object with its volume. Solid modelling is used for parts and assemblies, surface modelling for free forms, and mesh for scan data and visualisation. Views, sections and manufacturing drawings are generated from the 3D model.
Parametric and direct modelling
In parametric modelling, dimensions and constraints drive the model; when a dimension changes, the model and its drawings update. In direct modelling, geometry is changed by pushing and pulling it directly, without depending on a history tree. BricsCAD offers both approaches on the same DWG platform.
BIM (building information modelling)
BIM models a building with its elements, such as walls, slabs, doors and services, together with their information; plans, sections and quantities are generated from the model. For details, see our article What is BIM?
CAD vs CAM, CAE and BIM
CAD: design and drawing
Draws and models the geometry of the product or building; produces the technical drawing and the 3D model.
CAM: manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing; generates tool paths and machine code for CNC machines from the CAD model. CAD answers “what will be made”, CAM “how it will be made”.
CAE: engineering analysis
Computer-aided engineering; simulates the strength, thermal behaviour or flow of the CAD model with methods such as finite elements.
BIM: the building’s information model
Brings drawings together with the information of building elements in one model in architecture and construction. It is the next step after CAD in the building industry; BricsCAD BIM offers BIM on the same DWG platform.
CAD file formats: DWG, DXF and others
When choosing CAD software, the file format often matters as much as the program itself, because drawings do not stay inside the company: they go to customers, suppliers, municipalities and the site.
- DWG: the most common format for 2D and 3D technical drawings. A program that uses DWG as its own file format opens and saves drawings without conversion. For details, see our article What is DWG?
- DXF: an openly documented exchange format for sharing drawings between programs.
- STEP and IGES: used to transfer 3D solid and surface models between CAD programs.
- IFC: the open standard for sharing BIM models between programs.
- PDF: used to share and print a drawing without changes.
For a comparison of DWG-based programs, see our guide DWG-compatible CAD software.
What CAD software is there?
DWG-based 2D and 3D programs
AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD, GstarCAD and IntelliCAD-based programs are in this group. BricsCAD uses DWG as its own file format and grows from 2D drafting to 3D modelling, mechanical design and BIM on the same platform; it runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. For comparisons see What is ZWCAD?, What is GstarCAD? and BricsCAD vs AutoCAD.
Parametric 3D product design programs
Programs such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Solid Edge, CATIA and NX are used for part- and assembly-focused parametric 3D design and work with their own file formats. For teams with a lot of 2D drafting and DWG exchange, BricsCAD Mechanical offers 3D part, sheet-metal and assembly design on a DWG platform.
BIM programs
Programs such as Revit, ArchiCAD and BricsCAD BIM are used for building information modelling. BricsCAD BIM differs in creating the BIM model on a DWG platform, in the same environment as 2D drafting.
Free and open-source programs
FreeCAD, LibreCAD and nanoCAD Free can be used for learning and personal projects; they have limits in DWG support and commercial use. For details, see our guide Free CAD software. BricsCAD is free for students and schools.
Questions to ask when choosing CAD software in Turkey
Whichever program you evaluate, the answers to these questions decide how easy the switch is and the total cost.
- Does it open and save DWG files natively, without conversion? Do your archived drawings and blocks look the same?
- Are the commands, shortcuts and menus close to what the team is used to? Do your LISP routines and templates run?
- Can you stay on the same platform as you move from 2D to 3D, mechanical design or BIM?
- Is the licence perpetual or a subscription? Is a network licence available? How are updates and support provided?
- Which operating systems does it run on: Windows, macOS, Linux (including Pardus)?
- Where are your drawings stored? With desktop CAD, files stay on your own computers and servers; if a cloud sharing service will be used, ask in which country the data is stored and whether KVKK, Turkey’s data protection law, would require a transfer abroad.
- Is there an authorised partner in Turkey providing installation, training and support in Turkish?
- What is the three-year total cost including licences, maintenance, training and adaptations?
Answering these questions with BricsCAD
MechSoft is an Octave BricsCAD Premium Partner. We can evaluate BricsCAD against these criteria together, on your own drawings.
Native DWG
BricsCAD uses DWG as its own file format, so you work with your archive, templates and partners’ files without conversion.
A familiar way of working
A familiar command structure, menus and LISP support make switching easier and keep the team’s habits.
One platform from 2D to BIM
The Lite (2D), Pro (2D and 3D), Mechanical, BIM and Ultimate editions share one platform; you move up an edition as needs grow.
Windows, macOS and Linux
BricsCAD runs on Windows, macOS and supported Linux distributions.
Your files stay with you
BricsCAD is desktop CAD software; your drawings are kept on your own computers and servers.
Support in Turkish, in Turkey
Installation, training, migration and support are provided in Turkish by the MechSoft team; you can start with a 30-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions about CAD
What does CAD stand for?
CAD stands for computer-aided design: preparing drawings and models of products, machines and buildings on a computer, to scale and editable.
What is CAD software?
CAD software is used to create 2D technical drawings, 3D models and manufacturing drawings. AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD, SolidWorks and Revit are well-known CAD programs.
What is a CAD drawing?
A CAD drawing is a technical drawing prepared to real dimensions in CAD software: a plan, section, elevation, diagram or manufacturing drawing. It is usually shared as a DWG or DXF file.
What is the difference between CAD and CAM?
CAD produces the design and drawing; CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) generates tool paths and machine code for CNC machines from that design. CAD answers “what”, CAM “how it will be made”.
Is CAD hard to learn?
Basic 2D drafting commands can be learned in a few days of training; 3D modelling, mechanical design and BIM need more practice. BricsCAD works with an AutoCAD-like command structure and is free for students; MechSoft provides BricsCAD training in Turkish.
Which CAD software should I choose?
Start with what you draw and who you share files with. If your drawings travel as DWG, choose a platform that is fast and fully DWG-compatible in 2D and lets you move into 3D, mechanical design or BIM with the same files as needs grow. BricsCAD offers this path with a perpetual-licence option on Windows, macOS and Linux, and can be tried free for 30 days.
Continue with CAD selection
Let’s assess your CAD needs together
Let’s talk through the drawings you produce, your DWG archive and how your team works, and show BricsCAD on your own files.