CAD software develops at high speed. This is not unique, because everything and everyone is digitising and is now an IT company. Nevertheless, there are a few developments that deserve a little extra attention. These are 4 of the most important trends in CAD software for 2022.
Of course, artificial intelligence cannot be left out. After all, how smart is CAD software today? Pretty smart, right? Probably not as smart as it would be with the addition of AI. The nice thing about the technology is that it enables software users to do much more than they can on their own. Once you enter things like design limitations and materials that may or may not be used, you will find that CAD software with AI will then come up with suggestions that are more diverse than people could come up with on their own. Generating these "suggestions" takes less time than creating or thinking them up yourself. In addition, AI is ideal as a support by predicting how some design elements will work together in practice. AI is simply capable of including many more data aspects in calculations that take place behind the scenes.
Due to the rapid development of CAD software, users have more and more opportunities to customise applications. The standard software is therefore no longer standard for the individual user. User interfaces can be customised so that after logging on, draftsmen immediately see the screen layout they are used to and on which the functions they can use are visible. The main goals of this personalisation are to increase the ease of use and to boost the effectiveness of employees.
In the world of drawing, 'mobile first' is perhaps not yet a reality, but it is clear that the mobile use of CAD software is increasing. Not only are the screens of mobile devices becoming larger, but also the applications are increasingly suitable for mobile use. Some analysts call mobile access to CAD software a 'game-changer', but the fact is that both devices and drawing software are now much better suited for mobile use than in say, 2012 or 2015. This makes it easy to check or adjust something from any location or device. Designs can also be shown to clients at any desired location.
The last trend is what draughtsmen (and, of course, the company director) are all about. This most important trend has everything to do with being able to do more in the same or less time. After all, time is money and no one wants to keep customers waiting. Modern CAD software reveals productivity potential. Draftsmen who can reduce the number of manual operations shorten project lead times. The improvement in productivity is primarily based on time savings. Forget about switching between 2D and 3D CAD software, just deal with it in one package. Automating manual operations means, for example, that CAD software can make measurements, text, frames and scale appear on the screen at the press of a button.
Predicting trends is not easy, but the four trends in this blog are proven clear developments that will also have an impact in 2022. You should therefore include them in your discussions with CAD software suppliers. Are you looking for new CAD software? Download our helpful CAD software buyers guide for help!