Quantitative CAD Archetype Framework Evaluation With Professional User Data

Abstract In a previous work completed by Zhang et al., a framework for analysing computer-aided design (CAD) user “archetypes” was created, based on the types of user data that can be collected from modern multi-user CAD (MUCAD) user analytics. In this paper, the previously developed CAD archetype framework will be applied to a professional engineering dataset. Various ratios are calculated and presented which show the distribution of users in various dimensions of interest, with evidence of the framework creating separation between users in areas of the CAD workflow. The paper concludes with discussions on future development work to improve the framework robustness. Understanding the way that users interact with each other in a MUCAD setting will be critical for increasing productivity and enabling companies and professionals to optimise their workflows; research has shown that there are a number of approaches to designing in CAD, and one might imagine that these differences could be understood and classified such that compatibility can be improved, especially in a collaborative context.