Designer laments regression in vector tools: CAD 2005 was smarter than modern UI apps

tomjohndesign · x · 2026-08-26

A designer shared reflections comparing CAD software with modern UI design tools. In 2005, using high school-level AutoCAD, he could effortlessly handle tasks like patterns, arrays, alignment, guides, equidistant spacing, and chamfers. However, when he later used Illustrator in college, he was shocked by the significant regression in workflow efficiency in modern vector design tools. Although Figma has helped, it still does not match the CAD workflow. He argues that the drawings he made with high school competence in CAD would take hours of work and years of experience to replicate in modern UI design tools.

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