The first week of a CAD automation project is decided by what you measure, not which tool you pick. A four-step working method, from measuring the problem to widening scope in the field.
CAD automation tools promise 70%, 85%, 90% speed-ups. Here is what those numbers measure, what they leave out, and how to build an honest measurement for your own process.
There are three routes on the AutoCAD side: AutoLISP, .NET/ObjectARX, and AI-assisted generation. Here is when each is the right call, with a decision table based on team size and maintenance load.
SolidWorks 2026 hands drawing generation and standard hardware recognition to AI. Here is which minutes of the working day those features actually give back, which ones they don't, and what it means for add-in developers.