Computer Aided Design Guide for Architecture, Engineering and Construction

Chapter 3

2D CAD

3.1 An introduction to 2D CAD drafting

As discussed in Chapter 1, Section 1.2, parts or products can be represented in two dimensions, and, as noted in the sub-section ‘Entity-based CAD’ in Section 1.3, vector graphics such as dots, lines and arcs can be used to form a design. The process of executing the above can be defined as 2D drafting. The term ‘drafting’ is more commonly used to describe 2D CAD, as tools that are used to support this process typically mimic the manual process of drafting (drawing by hand) as opposed to aiding the actual process of design. Drafting is also defined as a way to descriptively deliver an idea with the use of drawings and/or illustrations that show the process of creating the idea and bringing ...