With the advent of hyper-advancement of computer technology came Computer-Aided Design (CAD). CAD is basically a professional aide in designing that was first offered to engineers and architects. Its popularity and reputation were soon recognized by other technical people in the field of design and construction and even mere design aficionados with little or no amount of formal professional training.
CAD mostly involves the CAD software and some specialty hardware. Among the capabilities of CAD are wire-frame geometry creation; three-dimensional parametric feature-based modeling; solid modeling; freeform-surface modeling; automated design of assemblies (which are collections of parts and/or other assemblies); creation of engineering drawings from solid models; electrical-component packaging; inclusion of programming code in a model to control and relate desired attributes of the model; programmable design studies and optimization; sophisticated visual-analysis routines, for draft, curvature, curvature continuity and many others.
CAD made the look of modern buildings possible. Most architectural firms can't do without CAD technology, since this has been the accepted design instrument since the late 1980s. Building structures are easily checked and perused for errors.
Actually, CAD is the precursor of computer animation. CAD was first used to produce three-dimensional surface modeling and calculation for automobile and aircraft industries in the 1960s. This was made possible by the mathematical calculations and work described by Isaac Jacob Schoenberg in the 1940s. His work was supplemented by the findings of another brilliant mathematician named Roy Liming, who contributed so much to the understanding and application of polynomial curves and sculptured surface.
You might encounter CAD translated as "Computer-Assisted" or "Computer-Aided Drafting" or any similar phrase--all of which are synonymous except for some subtle differences in specification and semiotics. Those who wish to catch up on the latest CAD Technology or learn CAD can enroll in the CAD Schools that are often run by CAD software providers themselves.