3-D CAD: A USER'S OPINION.

The European market for Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems is growing at 40 per cent per annum and was estimated to be worth almost POUND 1 billion at the end of 1985. Process plant designers are coming under increasing pressure to use 3-D CAD systems. Fluor has been using a number of 2-D CAD systems for the past ten years to enhance its drafting capabilities. The company has recognised with others that very real benefits such as schedule improvements, manhour reductions and cost savings can be achieved. As 3-D CAD systems became available it was reasonable to anticipate that further benefits could be won if computer aided design techniques were extended deeper into the design process.