Industrial use of physical vapor deposition(PVD) has been widely expanded during last two decades, and in the mean time plasma assistance in PVD has become an essential tool in preparing compound films with dense microstructure. The principles of electron beam-based plating, balanced and unbalanced magnetron sputtering and cathodic arc deposition. consisting three basic configuration of plasma assisted PVD(PAPVD)process, were reviewed. Recent technical development in PVD coating process were discussed. This paper tries to show tendency for developing new coating film on cutting tools.