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© 2025 by the authors. Published by MDPI on behalf of the International Institute of Knowledge Innovation and Invention. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) plays a critical role in modern engineering education by supporting technical accuracy and fostering innovation in design. This study compares the performance of beginner CAD users employing general-purpose AutoCAD 2025 with those using the specialized AutoCAD Mechanical 2025. Fifty undergraduate mechanical engineering students, all with less than one year of CAD experience and no prior exposure to AutoCAD Mechanical, were randomly assigned to complete six mechanical drawing tasks using one of the two software environments. Efficiency was evaluated through command usage, frequency, and task completion time, while creativity was assessed using a rubric covering originality, functionality, tool proficiency, and graphical quality. Results show that AutoCAD Mechanical significantly improved workflow efficiency, reducing task execution time by approximately 50%. Creativity scores were also notably higher among users of AutoCAD Mechanical, particularly in functionality and tool usage. These gains are attributed to automation features such as parametric constraints, standard part libraries, and automated dimensioning, which lower cognitive load and support iterative design. The findings suggest that integrating specialized CAD tools into engineering curricula can enhance both technical and creative outcomes. Limitations and future research directions include longitudinal studies, diverse user populations, and exploration of student feedback and tool adaptation.

Details

Title
Enhancing Efficiency and Creativity in Mechanical Drafting: A Comparative Study of General-Purpose CAD Versus Specialized Toolsets
Author
Gutiérrez de Ravé Simón; Gutiérrez de Ravé Eduardo  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Jiménez-Hornero, Francisco J  VIAFID ORCID Logo 
First page
74
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
25715577
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3223869799
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Published by MDPI on behalf of the International Institute of Knowledge Innovation and Invention. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.