Taking its cues from computer-aided-design software, an extruder stacks thin layers of gooey thermoplastic that cure into shape.

FORBES: Almost Out of the Woods

Likewise Digital Equipment focused on its profit margin in computer-aided design and manufacturing software only to be destroyed by its lower margin but higher volume competitor AutoCad.

FORBES

Autodesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) makes computer-aided design (CAD) software used by architects, manufacturers, and engineers.

FORBES: Supreme Court Decides Software Law By Not Deciding

Huang used an iPad and MacBook Air to access rich computer-aided design files and special effects software that typically require a burly graphics processor running on a dedicated workstation or server.

FORBES: Nvidia Unveils Cloud-Based Gaming, Hosted Desktop Technology

Professional graphics card growth will be aided by increased adoption of computer-aided design technology in various industries and easier-to-use 3D graphics software and applications.

FORBES: Desktop Chip Slippage Doesn't Doom Nvidia

Software now covers a maze of different industries, including applications software, operating systems, databases, the Internet, computer-aided design and networking.

ECONOMIST: Silicon Valley