AutoCAD and the New Zealand architect

Abstract

This report is about Computer Aided Drafting. It investigates one popular applications package, AutoCAD, and attempts to assess ways in which practitioners and students can learn its use and application. Particular reference is made to the teaching of Computer Applications at Victoria University of Wellington School of Architecture. This report reviews firstly the early attempts at Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Draughting to provide a context for the following discussions on AutoCAD. The AutoCAD package is then outlined. The author's AutoCAD learning experience is described. A survey of the experiences of New Zealand Architects and how they use AutoCAD in a practice situation is reported. From these investigations the introduction of computing, and computer aided draughting in particular, at Victoria University of Wellington School of Architecture is discussed. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made of how course work and the computing facilities might be developed in the future.