Automotive design software creates digital versions of car designs. Key features include image rendering, version control, audit trail management, and printing. Personal use software lacks some features but can be used to modify existing car models. When selecting software, consider intended use, essential features, output requirements, operating system, and processing speed.
Automotive design software products are used to create visual models of automobiles. The software is widely available and is used by both professional and hobbyist automobile designers. The main purpose of this type of software is to convert a physical drawing of a car’s exterior and interior into a digital version. Additional features could include three-dimensional imaging, pre-testing of the design, and the ability to quickly edit and save design changes
There are four key features in car design software: image rendering, version control, audit trail management and printing. Professional automotive design software can be used with a sketch pad, allowing the designer to create a freehand image of the car, save it in the program, then modify it to meet design standards. The tools used are constantly improving, both in complexity and in the accuracy of the drawing utility.
Software designed for personal use often lacks this feature, but includes models from a large selection of cars. The user can then modify the design of the car to suit their needs. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with design concepts and limitations for cars and can lead to an interest in automotive design as a career.
Version control is an automatic feature that keeps track of various designs for the same project, storing them separately. In some sophisticated automotive design software products, multiple versions can be compared and analyzed for differences. This feature is very important, because design is an iterative process, requiring multiple attempts before settling on a particular model.
An audit trail records who has accessed each file, the time and date, as well as the changes made. The purpose of an audit trail is to protect work already completed and to provide a list of what changes were made and when. The software will include a report or other method of reviewing the changes made. Most audit trail features require the use of usernames and passwords to track access to files.
The output functions included in car design software can vary greatly, depending on the company and user profile. The professional software includes the ability to convert a drawing into different formats, for use with automatic CAD, art design or photo software. Your print could include standard sized or oversized pages, as commonly found in design studios.
When selecting an automotive design software package, a consumer should take the time to draw up a list of its intended use, essential features the software must have, and output requirements. The buyer should think about the operating system on which the software will be installed, as well as the space requirements and processing speed needed. It is a good idea for consumers to read customer reviews and select the product that is likely to meet most of their needs.
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