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critical analysis of the absence of interior - Bilkent University

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1970s computers were not widespread and were barely used for calculation and<br />

documentation. In 1970s, architects and designers used <strong>the</strong> available computers and<br />

CAAD s<strong>of</strong>tware for only specification writing and drafting purposes due to<br />

computer’s accuracy and speed. In 1980s, several companies like Autodesk,<br />

VersaCad, Summagraphics, Microstation, and o<strong>the</strong>rs released s<strong>of</strong>tware that<br />

supported drafting aspects <strong>of</strong> architectural design (Kalay, 2004) while augmenting<br />

<strong>the</strong> computer use in architecture.<br />

Also, <strong>the</strong> developments in <strong>the</strong> computer technology affected <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> CAAD<br />

s<strong>of</strong>tware in architecture. Once employed as pure 2D drafting systems, when<br />

architects met with simple 3D shapes and forms, and elementary rendering features,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y began using CAAD s<strong>of</strong>tware not only for drafting, but also for modeling<br />

purposes. Additionally, at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> 1980s, several modeling features such as<br />

‘smooth shading’, ‘shadow casting’ and ‘solids modeling’ features, distinguished<br />

CAAD s<strong>of</strong>tware from only being drafting systems (Richens, 1992). Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore,<br />

1990s brought <strong>the</strong> general affordability <strong>of</strong> 3D modeling, rendering, animation and<br />

multimedia presentations (Schmitt, 1999). Nowadays, computers are almost<br />

indispensible parts <strong>of</strong> design and presentation phases <strong>of</strong> architecture.<br />

2.3 Classification <strong>of</strong> CAAD S<strong>of</strong>tware<br />

Despite <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> this study covers a categorization <strong>of</strong> CAAD s<strong>of</strong>tware as<br />

‘general purpose’ and ‘domain specific’, it is worthwhile to classify CAAD s<strong>of</strong>tware<br />

based on modeling methods such as ‘geometrical’, ‘parametrical’ and based on<br />

11

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