Have you ever wanted to design a robot, but didn’t know where to start? CAD, or computer-aided design, is the process of designing objects for manufacturing, industry, and engineering. CAD models have defined dimensions, tolerances, and even material properties! For making functional models to print or publish, CAD’s got you covered.

SolidWorks is considered the industry standard when it comes to CAD software, and is the software most used by professional 3D designers. It's generally thought of as much more versatile and powerful than simpler design programs such as SketchUp or AutoCAD, and much more user friendly than Creo or Inventor. For makers wishing to build skills that employers will absolutely want to see, SolidWorks is the way to go.