Mechanical drawing in the digital age

Until the emergence of digital drawing tools, a clear distinction was made between the free-hand sketch and mechanical drawing, the former used by the artist from an aesthetic viewpoint, the latter by the engineer or artisan. The mechanical drawing's main advantage over the sketch is that it is made to scale with true measurements, and all dimensions are proportional and properly placed to avoid errors in construction, whereas the sketch is loose and open to interpretation. But although measured drawings are necessary for fabrication, computer-aided-design has blurred the lines between drawing and sketching, and draughtsmen use their knowledge and skills to translate sketch ideas into detailed technical drawings in a seamless flow.