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Enhancing Efficiency and Creativity in Mechanical Drafting: A Comparative Study of General-Purpose CAD Versus Specialized Toolsets

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Udgivet i:Applied System Innovation vol. 8, no. 3 (2025), p. 74
Hovedforfatter: Gutiérrez de Ravé Simón
Andre forfattere: Gutiérrez de Ravé Eduardo, Jiménez-Hornero, Francisco J
Udgivet:
MDPI AG
Fag:
Problem solving
Software
Students
Usability
Engineering education
Optimization
Efficiency
Mechanical engineering
Automation
Cognition & reasoning
Drafting software
Skills
Innovations
Comparative studies
Engineering drawings
Creativity
Design
Computer aided design > CAD
Designers
Completion time
Geometry
Learning
Product development
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Resumen:Computer-Aided Design (CAD) plays a critical role in modern engineering education by supporting technical accuracy and fostering innovation in design. This study compares the performance of beginner CAD users employing general-purpose AutoCAD 2025 with those using the specialized AutoCAD Mechanical 2025. Fifty undergraduate mechanical engineering students, all with less than one year of CAD experience and no prior exposure to AutoCAD Mechanical, were randomly assigned to complete six mechanical drawing tasks using one of the two software environments. Efficiency was evaluated through command usage, frequency, and task completion time, while creativity was assessed using a rubric covering originality, functionality, tool proficiency, and graphical quality. Results show that AutoCAD Mechanical significantly improved workflow efficiency, reducing task execution time by approximately 50%. Creativity scores were also notably higher among users of AutoCAD Mechanical, particularly in functionality and tool usage. These gains are attributed to automation features such as parametric constraints, standard part libraries, and automated dimensioning, which lower cognitive load and support iterative design. The findings suggest that integrating specialized CAD tools into engineering curricula can enhance both technical and creative outcomes. Limitations and future research directions include longitudinal studies, diverse user populations, and exploration of student feedback and tool adaptation.
ISSN:2571-5577
DOI:10.3390/asi8030074
Fuente:Advanced Technologies & Aerospace Database