Technology transitions usher in new software, but the older technology may exhibit a resurgence or “Last Gasp” before it goes under. A “Last Gasp” is a valiant attempt to revitalize a technology that appears to be reaching the end of it’s useful life.
A recent example of one such technology that might be nearing it’s last gasp is the standalone GPS devices like Garmin produces. They produce a lot of differing devices, but the consumer level products lit the in car navigation are being impacted immensely by the GPS enabled Smartphones. iPhones, Droids and the like have fully enabled GPS turn by turn directions that make the Garmin’s less needed. Why buy a single purpose device? Garmin is now trying to produce GPS devices that also make phone calls. Too little, too late?
The reason I bring this up is that I was wondering if CAD is experiencing it’s last gasp. AutoCAD has been around for over 25 years. The CAD industry has begun the long promised move the better 3d Design tools like Revit and Inventor and Civil 3D. Is AutoCAD finally near the end of the line? Will there soon be little need for “drafting” tools that focus on 2D?
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June 30th, 2010 at 6:39 AM
If you are referring to plain vanilla AutoCAD, that is a possibility. I have trouble believing that Map 3d will soon be going by the wayside (at least, I hope not)
June 30th, 2010 at 6:55 AM
Well, the GPS didn’t go away, right? It was rather incorporated into a new, more sophisticated device. Same with CAD. It’s not evaporating, just getting coupled with something more advanced (BIM).
July 6th, 2010 at 11:54 AM
I have Civil 3D, but I still do 90% of my work in plain AutoCAD.