Editing Blueprint (section)

==Digital==
In most computer-aided design of parts to be machined, paper is avoided altogether, and the finished design is an image on the computer display. The computer-aided design program generates a [[computer numerical control]] sequence from the approved design. The sequence is a computer file which will control the operation of the [[machine tools]] used to make the part.

In the case of construction plans, such as road work or erecting a building, the supervising workers may view the "blueprints" directly on displays, rather than using printed paper sheets. These displays include mobile devices, such as [[smartphone]]s or [[Tablet computer|tablet]]s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Singer|first=Michael|title=Crain Construction grows its 80-year-old business with iOS, Android tablets|url=http://tabtimes.com/case-studies/mobile-workers/2013/03/25/crain-construction-grows-its-80-year-old-business-ios-android|publisher=tabtimes.com|access-date=21 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522014354/http://tabtimes.com/case-studies/mobile-workers/2013/03/25/crain-construction-grows-its-80-year-old-business-ios-android|archive-date=22 May 2014}}</ref> Software allows users to view and annotate electronic drawing files. Construction crews use software in the field to edit, share, and view blueprint documents in real-time.<ref name="HCSS-blueprints">{{cite web |title=Construction Blueprint App |date=15 December 2021 |url=https://www.hcss.com/products/field-blueprint-app/ |website=HCSS |access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref>

Many of the original paper blueprints are archived since they are still in use. In many situations their conversion to digital form is prohibitively expensive. Most buildings and roads constructed before {{circa}} 1990 will only have paper blueprints, not digital. These originals have significant importance to the repair and alteration of constructions still in use, e.g. bridges, buildings, sewer systems, roads, railroads, etc., and sometimes in legal matters concerning the determination of, for example, property boundaries, or who owns or is responsible for a boundary wall.