📝 Add CAD page

wiki/03-disciplines/00-general/07-cad/index.md

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+---
+description: Using CAD to help visualise your designs.
+sidebar_custom_props:
+  emoji: 📐
+shortlinks:
+  - cad
+  - computer-aided-design
+  - vectorworks
+  - autodesk
+  - autocad
+---
+# Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
+
+Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is the use of software to create 2D or 3D models and diagrams of your design. They can be
+a great way to visualise your designs and how things fit together, especially when working with complex sets or trying
+to fit a lot of things into a small space such as the studio.
+
+Whilst many may think this is only applicable to the [set discipline](../../03-set/index.md), this is not the case. In
+addition to visualising sets, CAD can be useful for:
+* Creating LX plots/plans without doing this by hand.
+* Creating sound pit/band layouts, especially for tight spaces.
+* Calculating cable lengths for large rooms or outdoor events.
+* Running LX pre-visualisation ('pre-vis') software for programming or designing LX cues in advance.
+
+:::warning
+Whilst CAD software can be a great tool, it is not always necessary and is often overkill! CAD designs can take much
+longer to create than a simple pencil diagram, and the programs often have a large learning curve.
+
+For Tech Crew shows, CAD should be treated more as an optional, advanced skill that should only be used if you have the
+time and motivation to do it.
+:::
+
+Popular software for technical-design CAD include:
+* [Vectorworks](https://www.vectorworks.net)
+* [Autodesk AutoCAD](https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/overview)
+
+Ultimately (or at least for Tech Crew), the choice for which software to use is a personal one - there isn't a clear
+winner. Most software is also very expensive for commercial use, but provides free plans for students/full time
+education.
+
+## [Vectorworks](https://www.vectorworks.net)
+
+## [AutoCAD](https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/overview)