Mechanical design these days utilises 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software to create 3D virtual objects or models of a large array of products. From these virtual 3D models 2D workshop drawings can be generated for manufacturing, tool paths for programming with CNC machinery and photo realistic renderings for marketing.
Mechanical design using 3D CAD allows us to visualise and test products before picking up any tools to create them, and when it does come time for prototyping to manufacture, drawings and tool paths can be generated from the 3D model.