Computer Aided Design

This book presents modern software technology and the tools
necessary for teaching computer aided design and developing
application software in the area of engineering design.
The C programming language is presented and its importance
for developing efficient and portable software is
highlighted. Programming for graphics is described using the
Graphical Kernel System, and drafting is illustrated through
the package AutoCAD. Database structures and database mana-
gement techniques are introduced to meet the needs of appli-
cation programmers. Knowledge-based expert systems are pre-
sented with illustrations to show the potential use of this
AI technology for engineering design. Finite element analy-
sis provides powerful numerical techniques for engineering
analysis, and widely used packages are discussed. Optimiza-
tion techniques can help the engineer arrive at an economi-
cal design solution, and a brief description is given of so-
mewidely used numerical algorithms. Typical CAD applica-
tions are described, with references, and integrated softwa-
re requirements for CAD are discussed.
In addition to the examples in the text, exercises are given
at the end of each chapter to provide experience in using
the tools presented for the development of CAD software.