Why the AV Industry Is Moving Away from Outdated CAD Tools

For decades, traditional CAD tools have been a staple in the AV design process. Engineers and system designers have relied on these platforms to draw schematics, create layouts, and plan installations. But as the AV industry continues to evolve—driven by smarter buildings, real-time collaboration, and automation—outdated CAD tools are beginning to show their limitations. In today’s fast-paced environment, AV professionals need more than just static drawings. They need intelligent, connected, and adaptive design platforms.

That is where XTEN-AV steps in. As a next-generation AV design and automation platform, XTEN-AV offers everything that legacy CAD tools cannot. With features built specifically for AV professionals, XTEN-AV is redefining how the industry approaches system design and documentation. In this blog, we explore why the AV industry is moving away from outdated CAD tools and how platforms like XTEN-AV are leading the change.

The Limitations of Traditional CAD Tools

CAD software was never built with AV in mind. While it offers flexibility for technical drawing, it lacks the intelligence and automation that modern AV systems demand. Here are some of the key challenges professionals face when using outdated CAD tools:

1. Time-Consuming Processes

Every AV system requires detailed diagrams, wiring layouts, equipment lists, and rack elevations. In traditional CAD tools, these must be created manually, which consumes hours or even days. Even small revisions require redrawing or updating multiple files.

2. Lack of Integration

Legacy CAD tools operate in isolation. They do not communicate with quotation systems, project management tools, or manufacturer databases. This forces users to juggle between multiple platforms, increasing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.

3. Difficult Collaboration

Sharing CAD files usually means exchanging large PDFs or DWG files over email. There is no easy way to collaborate in real time or track revisions. This slows down communication between designers, engineers, project managers, and clients.

4. Limited AV Intelligence

Traditional CAD software does not understand AV logic. It cannot auto-suggest compatible devices, calculate signal paths, or validate system configurations. Every step relies on manual input, leaving room for human error.

The Rise of AV-Specific Design Platforms

As AV systems become more complex and integrated with IT and automation, the demand for purpose-built platforms is growing. Professionals need tools that understand AV requirements, streamline documentation, and accelerate project delivery.

This shift is driving the industry away from static, outdated CAD tools and toward cloud-based, AV-intelligent platforms like XTEN-AV.

How XTEN-AV Solves the Problem

XTEN-AV was designed from the ground up for the AV industry. It eliminates the need for traditional CAD tools by offering smart automation, real-time collaboration, and complete project documentation—all in one place.

1. Automated AV System Design

XTEN-AV lets users design AV systems using intelligent workflows. You choose your room type, select devices from built-in manufacturer libraries, and the system auto-generates:

Signal flow diagrams
Rack layouts
Wiring schematics
Scope of work
Quotations and proposals

This automation saves countless hours and ensures accuracy at every step.

2. Integrated Project Documentation

Unlike CAD, which only focuses on drawings, XTEN-AV creates a full set of interconnected documents. Changes made in the system design reflect instantly across:

Drawings
BOMs (bill of materials)
Cable schedules
Floor plans
Quote sheets

There is no need to update multiple documents manually. Everything stays in sync.

3. Real-Time Collaboration

XTEN-AV is cloud-based, which means your team can collaborate from anywhere. Designers, sales reps, engineers, and clients can:

View projects live
Leave comments
Approve designs
Suggest changes in real time

This removes the back-and-forth of email chains and accelerates decision-making.

4. AV-Specific Intelligence

XTEN-AV understands the needs of AV professionals. It can:

Auto-suggest compatible devices based on system requirements
Warn about signal flow errors or mismatched components
Offer equipment templates for common room types
Connect with manufacturer catalogs to ensure up-to-date specs

You get a smarter design process backed by real-world logic.

The Business Case for Moving Beyond CAD

Modern AV businesses need to move quickly and operate efficiently to stay competitive. Relying on outdated tools affects not just design quality, but also your bottom line.

With XTEN-AV, you can:

Deliver proposals faster
Reduce design errors
Improve team coordination
Win more projects
Scale operations without scaling your team

The platform enables AV companies to do more with less effort—and that is critical in today’s growing and competitive market.

Real-World Example: A Faster Path to Completion

Imagine an AV integrator designing a video conferencing system for a corporate office. With traditional CAD tools, the designer spends a day drawing the layout, another day creating wiring diagrams, and more time generating the equipment list and quote.

With XTEN-AV, the same project can be completed in a few hours:

Select a room type and template
Drag and drop devices into the design
Auto-generate all diagrams and documentation
Share the project with the sales team and client
Close the deal with a professional proposal

This speed and efficiency make a direct impact on revenue and client satisfaction.

The Industry Is Evolving—It’s Time to Adapt

As AV merges with IT, smart buildings, and automation, the expectations from AV designers are rising. Clients demand faster turnarounds, seamless integration, and future-ready systems. Static CAD tools simply cannot keep up.

XTEN-AV empowers designers to meet these demands by providing a platform that thinks, adapts, and grows with the industry.

Final Thoughts

The AV industry is moving forward—and there is no turning back. Outdated CAD tools are no longer enough to support the needs of modern AV projects. AV professionals need smarter tools that simplify design, accelerate timelines, and eliminate manual errors.

XTEN-AV is leading this change. With powerful automation, AV-specific intelligence, and real-time collaboration, it is helping the industry evolve into a smarter and more connected future.

Say goodbye to static drawings and hello to intelligent AV design. Design faster. Work smarter. Lead with XTEN-AV.