2. Software that Works Like Building Professionals Think

One of the major problems with current CAD technology is that it has isolated experienced design professionals from the ongoing design articulation process and made it difficult to monitor progress and catch mistakes early. Another major problem is that current CAD systems support drafting much better than design. Instead of taking over the drudgery and freeing architects and engineers to delve into the creative aspects of their work, current CAD products force their users to focus intently on the drafting process.

The next generation of CAD products must be equally accessible to the casual user as to the CAD expert, and provide tools for design as well as for production.

2.1.	Requirements to support the casual user
	2.1.1.	Use of plain English language prompts
	2.1.2.	"Help" system that shows the user how to accomplish his task
	2.1.3.	Ability to change a dimension to edit geometry
	2.1.4.	Automated drawing aids
2.2.	Requirements for design tools
	2.2.1.	Ability not only to see the model in multiple views, but also to manipulate and edit the model in any view
	2.2.2.	Support easy concept design with seamless progression to greater detail
		2.2.2.1.	Component selection
		2.2.2.2.	Component sizing
		2.2.2.3.	Material selection
	2.2.3.	Ability to drop back to schematic representation to explore alternatives
	2.2.4.	Accommodation of freehand sketching and plastic 3D modeling
		2.2.4.1.	Curve matching
		2.2.4.2.	Complex 3D shapes, molded fluidly
	2.2.5.	Integrated rendering and animation:
		2.2.5.1.	Walkthrough
		2.2.5.2.	Full animation