Abstract: On the grounds of the 4th international conference on computer-aided industrial design and conceptual design, this paper summarizes main issues in the progress of researches on computer-aided conceptual design (CACD): methodology of conceptual design, product information modeling, resolution mechanisms of conceptual design and CACD technology. This paper also summarizes the advances in studies on the technology of computer-aided conceptual design, and the difficulties are also pointed out to arouse interests and further studies. Finally the three layered architecture of CACD is presented.