Drafting

Drafting is a form of drawing in which reproductions of objects are created for technical, architectural, and engineering needs. People who practice the craft are known as draftsmen. Before the rise of Computer Aided Design (CAD), draftsman had to practice their craft by hand. They generally did it on a piece of paper at a drafting table, which boasted a large flat surface with right angle edges. A sliding straight edge, also known as a T-square, is attached to one side of the table, allowing for straight lines to easily be drawn upon the paper. The T-square plays a vital role in the drafting process. Not only does it simplify the drawing of parallel lines, it also can hold other drawing tools like set squares or triangles. Draftsmen use compasses to draw circles and curves. A French curve is a piece of plastic with guides for making more complex curvatures. Another assisting tool is the spline, which is a piece of articulated metal covered in rubber so it can be bent to just about every possible curve. Thankfully, computers have made drafting far easier and less time consuming. CAD systems can draft in either 2D or 3D. Most 3D applications are capable of rotating the object, allowing it to be seen from all sides and angles. It's even possible to go inside the object and look out. The emergence of CAD technology has greatly reduced design cycles and production costs.