None – not one technology is changing everything… at least right now
How can I say that? Because I think nothing changes everything overnight. Yes, there are many technologies and software tools and hardware triumphs that are beginning to make major strides in change, but they are not changing everything.
Why? Because changes are always slower than people think they will be. we thought that CAD would change everything and it did, but not overnight. How long did it take? Where you there at the time? Did it all change overnight? No, it started slow and built toward change. Some of the adventurous changed at first, then others joined them, but it took some time.
Also, the economic impacts are slowing everything down. Nothing is changing as fast as people thought it would several years ago. At a time when a jump in technology and software was touted as “changing everything” there was an underlying economic squeeze just starting.
Don’t get me wrong – things are going to change – just not as fast as everyone thinks.
So with all the 3D software coming along, will 2D CAD be gone soon?
You can see an influence toward 3D with the current crop of movies that Hollywood is putting out… many of them in 3D. And there are 3D TV’s. But has everyone tossed in the towel on older movies? Have they refused to watch a “traditional” movie for their cinema dollars? Is everyone rushing to swap out their old TV for one that displays in 3D?
So what about 2D CAD? Are the days numbered for this technology?
Not unless Autodesk is totally wrong. They have invested much in the 2D world of CAD. Here are a few areas that have just made some tech jumps based on mostly 2D software…
- AutoCAD 2011 New Features – yes there are 3D enhancements,but the bulk of the upgrade is 2D based. Focusing large amounts of energy on 2D enhancement, Autodesk has defined the future (at least for now) as including 2D.
- AutoCAD to the Mac – Porting over the AutoCAD development was a huge effort requiring rewriting old code to a new platform. Would they do this if they thought there would not be a market for it? ok – you can argue both sides of this, but they did it. Someone at the top wanted it done.
- CAD into the Cloud – AutoCAD WS – Moving AutoCAD to the web in this innovative technology jump is going to change everything – but it will take time.
So… Are things changing? YES – but not overnight.