The A+ Certification & PC Repair Handbook (Charles River Media Networking/Security)
CAD/CAM
CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) is a specialized program or graphics software package that works in conjunction with specialized hardware to help architects and manufacturers create and design such things as computers, buildings, and office layouts. CAD/CAM helps with the designing of special-purpose machines for automation. With CAD/CAM, a designer can create, view, and change two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) drawings. The CAD software allows the designer to zoom in, select, and modify particular parts of a design.
Several years ago, CAD required specially built computer systems. Today, CAD/CAM software packages are designed to run on multipurpose/multifunctional workstations and servers. The software does, however, have minimum and recommended system requirements. They are:
Minimum system requirements:
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Intel Pentium 233 (minimum)
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Pentium 450 or higher (recommended)
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Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 5.0
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Windows 98
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Windows Me (Millennium Edition)
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Windows 2000
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Windows XP Professional Only
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128MB RAM
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1024x768 video card
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125MB-225MB of free hard drive space
Recommended system requirements:
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Intel Pentium or AMD 1600MHz or greater
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Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 5.0
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Windows 2000
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512MB DDR physical RAM
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64MB DDR AGP video card (resolution set to 1152x864 or higher, 16 bits)
To be useful and effective, CAD/CAM programs also depend on specialized input and output devices, such as high-end computer monitors, specialized printers, plotters, digitized tablets, and light pens.
For the A+ Core Hardware exam, you do not have to demonstrate that you can create automation equipment using CAD/CAM. What is important is that you understand that CAD/CAM is very graphics intensive and requires as much computer horsepower as you can get your hands on in order to use it effectively.
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