When I first started working as a designer, I quickly realized that Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is more than just a tool—it’s the backbone of everything we do, especially when it comes to designing large roadways or site plans. Over the years, CAD has become an essential part of how we turn complex civil engineering projects into reality.
One of the things I love about using CAD is how it allows us to lay out every aspect of a project before the first shovel ever hits the ground. Whether I’m tweaking the alignment of a new road or figuring out the best way to handle stormwater drainage on a site, CAD gives me the ability to see potential issues before they become problems. This early detection is a game-changer—it saves us time, money, and a lot of headaches.
I’ve also found that CAD has completely transformed how we approach the design process. Back in the day, traditional drafting methods were slow and often led to mistakes. But with CAD, we can quickly modify designs and test out different scenarios and iterations until we find the best solution. This flexibility is a lifesaver, especially on complex projects where even a small mistake can cause big delays or increases in construction costs.
Printing has also come a long way. What use to take hours to print a large set of construction drawings on an ammonia-based blue line printer, can now be done in a few minutes on a 36” wide plotter.
Another thing I’ve noticed is how much CAD has improved collaboration, both within our team and with our clients. The detailed models we create make it so much easier to communicate ideas and designs. Clients love being able to see a realistic visualization of their project, and they’re able to give us valuable feedback early on. This back-and-forth boosts client satisfaction and reduces the chance of costly revisions later in the process.
For me, CAD has completely revolutionized the way we tackle projects. As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with this technology, I’m excited to see how we’ll keep delivering top-tier engineering solutions that meet and exceed our clients’ expectations.