Interior design students’ perception for AutoCAD, SketchUp and Rhinoceros software usability

Abstract

Many previous studies regarding computer aided architectural design (CAAD) software for design have been developed with reference to how the CAAD software (in this case: AutoCAD, SketchUp and Rhinoceros) will benefit the students while learning to 2D-3D modeling design. The purpose of this study aims to identify the first year students’ perspective regarding the 2D-3D modeling software usability. A total of 127 first year interior design students participated in the study. After finishing the course about CAAD software, they completed a survey using System Usability Scale (SUS) and polling method. After that the data was analyzed and measured. Statically, the findings show that there a difference usability between SketchUp – AutoCAD, but not so different between SketchUp – Rhinoceros and AutoCAD – Rhinoceros; secondly SketchUp is less usability than the AutoCAD and Rhinoceros. But using the survey polling, the findings show that most students will be using SketchUp for their 3D modeling design. Possibly not occurring significant result is because: the students may not really understand the System Usability Scale (the greater showed negative usability) and ambiguous perception in the questionnaire statement