What Is 2D Design Used For?
2D CAD is used across a wide range of industries – such as automotive, aerospace, fashion, and industrial design – to produce line drawings and layouts for different applications. Within the built environment, 2D CAD is used to create plans, sections, elevation views, and details of structures. These views explain how the structure will be built and provide information on the materials to be used and the specification or performance to be achieved. Other information may be included on the drawings that will help ensure the project gets built correctly, such as schedules or lists. These drawings – often called construction drawings – form part of the contract documents for a project, alongside other documentation such as the specifications.
While preparing drawings using 2D CAD software is much faster than manual drawing methods, it also allows designers to explore different design options more efficiently. Some architects still prefer to sketch their initial designs on paper before transferring them to a 2D CAD program. However, using 2D CAD provides a number of benefits. By drafting views such as plans, sections, and elevations. Designers can visualize the completed design and make any amendments as needed. Designs can also be copied quickly, and sections or features altered to compare and contrast variations in the final design. Some 2D CAD programs contain libraries of standard building components, such as beams, doors, or furniture. Being able to insert commonly used components into a drawing greatly speeds up the drawing process while also removing the potential for errors where a drawing or part of a building is repeated.
2D CAD Software Free Download
If you would like to see how easy it is to make the switch from 2D CAD to a user-friendly 3D CAD program, why not download a free, 14-day trial version of ALLPLAN. ALLPLAN supports flexible workflows in 2D, 2.5D and 3D. With the free learning resources, you can fully evaluate the program and decide if 2D CAD software still meets all your needs for delivering designs efficiently and effectively.