Day, K (2024) Emulating the past, envisioning the future: A study of CAD file preservation in Australian architectural practices. In: Thomson, C (ed.) Proceedings of 40th Annual ARCOM Conference, 2-4 September 2024, London South Bank University, UK.
Abstract
In the 1980s, computer-aided design (CAD) fundamentally changed how architectural documentation was produced, moving from analogue to digital by the early 2000s. This study extends existing preservation work, examining the archival difficulties we encounter with CAD data, such as unreliable media carriers, software supersession, and obsolescence, alongside emulation potential for historical and modern files. Emulation facilitates access to original CAD files and associated metadata, which derivative formats like PDFs do not retain. The study contrasts early CAD files' simplicity with the advanced interoperability of contemporary files, which introduces significant emulation challenges. Moreover, rapid software updates aimed at 'innovation' often disregard the long-term accessibility of files beyond the three-year migration window. The paper stresses the importance of maintaining CAD files in their original environment to preserve the creator's intent and calls for proactive strategies to maintain the integrity of architectural documentation.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | CAD preservation; digital archiving; emulation; architectural documentation; software lifecycle management |
| Index terms: | window, architectural practice, accessibility, media, lifecycle, strategy, migration, documentation, interoperability, integrity, computer aided design, obsolescence |
| Subjects: | architectural elements, project delivery, management, professional development, health safety and environment, asset management, demography, systems and processes, computational design, sociology, inclusive design, business |
| Topics: | Information Management, Research Practice, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Urban Studies, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Project Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here