Benefits of AutoCAD AutoCAD is a computer-aided drafting software (CAD) application, which was developed and initially released in 1982 by Autodesk. This software enables the architects, cartographers, drafters and engineers to create three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) models of solid and mesh surfaces. The models are made possible by the software ability to offers a robust set of features and automated drafting tools. Prior to its invention, manual drafting and drawing tools such as drafting boards, geometrical set instrument and pencils were used but they only offered a subset of what now is accomplished by the programs such as the AutoCAD. Manual drafting was a difficult task for the professionals since it consumed a lot of time and resources. Therefore, this paper will examine some of the key benefits of the AutoCAD. AutoCAD has led to increasing the productivity of the designer. The AutoCAD software aids the designer in visualizing the final product to be made, its constituents and subassemblies parts. The design can also be given animation to figure out how the final product will work thus giving the designer room for any modification if required. The software also helps the designer in analyzing, synthesizing and documenting the designs. All these aspects ultimately assist in improving the productivity of the designer thus translating to lower cost of designing, faster designing and shortening of the project completion time (Groover & Zimmers, 1984). AutoCAD also helps in enhancing the quality of the design. AutoCAD offers a set of tools for professionals, which enable thorough engineering analysis of the proposed design to be carried out. For example, the AutoCAD Civil 3D helps you to explore different conceptual proposals, complete different design investigation, increase accuracy level, redefine the design until you achieve the best design. Eventually, better models lead to faster manufacturing and reduction of wastage that could have been caused by faulty designs (Autodesk, 2008). It also allows safe documentation of conception, which is one of the most crucial processes of designing. This documentation includes geometries and dimensions of the product, its components and subassemblies, material specification of the parts, material bills, etc. The documentation and design aggregation tools built into AutoCAD maximize productivity as well as streamlining the design, speeding projects from design to completion while automating the tedious drafting tasks that would normally be done by hand (Groover & Zimmers, 1984).
AutoCAD offers data compatibility and importation tools. Therefore, it will enable you to read and write MicroStation® DGN drawing files, work with DWG files and export and import 3D models directly into AutoCAD from various applications, including, SolidWorks, Pro/ENGINEER and NX products and services allowing you to generate intelligent 2D and 3D views quickly. For instance, AutoCAD 2009 allows export of metadata and model graphics for use outside the AutoCAD software. AutoCAD allows saving and action recording of design data and drawings. Thus, all the data and drawing used for designing can be saved and used for future reference and copies made when need arise. Parts of the component drawings can be standardized and used whenever required in any future drawings. For example, AutoCAD 2009 offers an action recorder tool that help automate repetitive task as they take place thus saving time and increasing productivity (Autodesk, 2009). AutoCAD greatly helps in better communication of the design intent and completion of the final proposal with realistic 3D rendering. AutoCAD has rendering capabilities that helps one to communicate the design proposal easily even to the non-technical audience. For example, floor elements can be coded with specific materials and broken into small areas so that they render nicely. Furthermore, the rendering platform is easy to use and offers a range of details from simple to complex photorealistic images that can increase the sales of design. For example, AutoCAD 2009 helps one integrate the design model into the Google Earth mapping interface, which help the nontechnical audience to understand the design with ease.
In conclusion, this paper just describes a few benefits of AutoCAD which has more than two billion users worldwide. AutoCAD inventions has contributed immensely to technological advancement, development of superior design and automation of manufacturing systems. Therefore, its benefits can’t be assumed in the modern world.

References
Groover, M. P & Zimmers, E. W. (1984). CAD/CAM: computer-aided design and manufacturing. Prentice-Hall: Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
Autodesk (2009). Innovative improvements to the AutoCAD software you know and trust, AutoCAD2009. Retrieved from {online} www.autodesk.com/autocad-features.
Autodesk (2008). AutoCAD civil 3D top ten benefits. Retrieved from {online}
www.autodesk.com/civil3d