AutoCAD – Frequent updates: technological advance or planned obsolescence?

Published in:  Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism - USP

Job Type:  Masters dissertation

Year: 2001

Author(s): SAAD, Ana Lucia

Dissertation summary:  The question whether the constant updates of AutoCAD software bring effective contributions to the user of CAD programs, or whether they are nothing more than strategies of programmed obsolescence to promote its sale, was the central question of the present work.

Contributions, in any type of product, can be obtained through technological advances incorporated in its updates or new releases, which are of effective use to the user. Therefore, it was discussed what is technological advance and its usefulness in the specific case of AutoCAD software.

After defining what would be a technological advance, strategies were outlined and items were defined to be used in comparisons and analyzes between the different versions of AutoCAD for WINDOWS. Comparisons were performed between versions r. 12, r. 13, r. 14 and 2000 of the software, in order to verify if these updates are marked for incorporating technological advances, or if they are marked for only having gadgets incorporated in each of the versions of the program.

During the comparisons, Items such as: new functions or tools incorporated into the software were discussed; change in program interface and commands; possibility of increased productivity and friendliness.

Care was taken to think of the product, which was analyzed, as a work tool, and not just any consumer object where emotional appeal is common to motivate sales.

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