# What is CAD?

CAD, or "Computer-Aided Design," is a powerful software tool utilized across industries by engineers, manufacturers, architects, and designers to transform ideas into reality. 

It enables the creation of 3D models using various techniques and tools, aiding in prototyping, manufacturing, and product development. CAD files can be sent to machines for printing or material cutting, and detailed drawings can be produced to support manual machining and assembly. 

For this guide and website, we use Onshape as our CAD platform, but there are many [different types of CAD software](/intro-to-cad/level-1/what-is-cad/different-types-of-cad-software.md).

<figure><img src="/files/b7WrrHOXd5WF0hI5UgQM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Why use CAD?

With CAD, you can design more advanced custom components and mechanisms. CAD also allows teams to iterate ideas before prototyping and manufacturing, and it helps cut down on prototyping time.&#x20;

Good CAD efficiency can help a team design a good robot early on in the season, leaving more room for software testing and driving practice.&#x20;

1. Using CAD to design your robot ensures that all components fit together seamlessly.
2. With CAD, you can accurately measure your robot's dimensions, making sure it meets the size requirement.
3. CAD serves as both a digital blueprint of your robot and as a bill of materials, helping you during the ordering process by specifying exactly what parts you need.&#x20;
4. CAD skills are highly valuable in various industries and can enhance your resume. Learning CAD with any software builds a strong foundation, making it easier to adapt to other CAD platforms in the future.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://www.ftcwiki.org/intro-to-cad/level-1/what-is-cad.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.