FastCAD (and EasyCAD, a 2D-only subset) is a type of

computer-aided design Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers (or ) to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve c ...

(CAD) program for

DOS DOS (, ) is a family of disk-based operating systems for IBM PC compatible computers. The DOS family primarily consists of IBM PC DOS and a rebranded version, Microsoft's MS-DOS, both of which were introduced in 1981. Later compatible syste ...

and

Microsoft Windows Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...

operating system An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common daemon (computing), services for computer programs. Time-sharing operating systems scheduler (computing), schedule tasks for ...

s. It is also the basis for the map-drawing software

Campaign Cartographer Campaign Cartographer is a Windows map creation program created by ProFantasy Software originally in 1993. Description The program was designed to draw maps for role playing and miniature war games. The CAD engine is based on FastCAD, although mo ...

. It uses the

file format A file format is a Computer standard, standard way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file. It specifies how bits are used to encode information in a digital storage medium. File formats may be either proprietary format, pr ...

extension FCW for its files. The latest FastCAD release, version 7, is a full professional tool, including 3D modeling and rendering, symbol definition editing, and advanced abilities to work with multiple drawings and overlays. FastCAD is written in

x86 assembly language x86 assembly language is a family of Low-level programming language, low-level programming languages that are used to produce object code for the x86 class of processors. These languages provide backward compatibility with CPUs dating back to th ...

and runs well on basic hardware. FastCAD was written by Mike Riddle, the author of Interact for the Marinchip 9900 released in 1979, one of the first CAD programs to run on a

personal computer A personal computer, commonly referred to as PC or computer, is a computer designed for individual use. It is typically used for tasks such as Word processor, word processing, web browser, internet browsing, email, multimedia playback, and PC ...

(PC). In time, Interact became the architectural basis for early versions of

AutoCAD AutoCAD is a 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software application developed by Autodesk. It was first released in December 1982 for the CP/M and IBM PC platforms as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics control ...

External links

* Computer-aided design software {{CAD-software-stub