How to detect Plagiarism in AutoCAD files?

[wael_eldessouki]

Hello , 

I am teaching a freshman level Engineering Drawing course, and I m just about to start teaching my students how to use the AutoCAD software in producing 2D views. 

I am concerned that some students might be tempted to take a copy of the homework file and just rename it and submit it, or they might make a copy and paste. 

Given that I have nearly 115 students on 3 classes, my question now:  Is there a tool that I can use to automatically detect such cases of plagiarism. 

Thanks    

[imadHabash]

Hi and Welcome to AutoCAD Forum,

>> Is there a tool that I can use to automatically detect such cases of plagiarism. <<

i'm afraid not wael ... to prevent such a plagiarism you may need to make different samples of homework. such as make some students draw plans and others draw elevations , sections and so on . then make the students who draw plans in the first time to draw elevations now . 

hope this give you a good start ... all the best for you . 🙂

regards,

[tramber]

Export every dwg to DXF and ask a software to do the job. It must exists.

I suppose that a DXF is more readable.

I know an option named Compare in the CONtext editor (do you know it ? it is a freeware).

One by one, it will work.

In a DXF, you'll know if the entites are drawn in the same order. I'm quite sure.

[wael_eldessouki]

Thanks Mr. Imad for your reply. 

However, I am looking now at the DXF file structure and looking for something that might be used as an evidence of authenticity. 

I will post the outcomes, if any! 

[wael_eldessouki]

Thanks tramber, 

I think this might work, I will try and let you know.  

[tramber · Accepted solution]

You know, Il would think about dozens of tests.

Do you know the _TIME command ?

what base point did the pupils choose ?

etc...

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I am concerned that some students might be tempted to take a copy

>> of the homework file and just rename it and submit it, or they might

>> make a copy and paste. 

As a sample, if the job for the students is to draw a line from 0,0 to 10,10 then you can't find out if the line was drawn by everyone or if it was copied. The result is simply equal.

Even date/time and handle differ if one uses copy & paste from one dwg-file to another one.

The simplest method is to give them a homework with the same basc geometry, but different dimensions, e.g. length of line = (1000 + the users ID) ... and every student get's an ID that fits to the drawing and makes that homework solvable.

This method could also be "cracked" using parametric, but it's more complex for the students then just copy and paste.

- alfred -

[wael_eldessouki · Accepted solution]

Thanks tramber, 

Here is what I got: I created three files for the same drawing., the first was an original drawing, the second I renamed the file, the third was a copy and past, My results are the following: 

1- Using the ConTEXT software to compare the DXF files was only successful in the scenario of only renaming of the AutoCAD file, but for the copy and past it did not give a definitive answer. 

2- Using the _TIME command (which I did not know about before) was helpful in terms of giving a log for the events in creating the drawing file.

3- Hence, in case of suspecting any plagiarism case, I will use the _TIME command to know what went into creating the drawing.    

What do you think about that?  

Please if you have a better way let me know.

Thanks again

[wael_eldessouki]

Thanks Alfred, 

That's another option also but the problem is that I have almost 115 students and keeping track of the id's might be a problematic.  

However, I will try using the _TIME command and see how things will go. 

Thanks again, 

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I will try using the _TIME command and see how things will go

A student who copies the drawing, has it then open a bit to do his prints and to fill out his name/information in the title-block will have a different time than the original drawing. So time is no proof.

[EDIT] at least it's not a proof for who created the drawing and who cloned it [/EDIT]

>> that I have almost 115 students and keeping track of the id's might be a problematic.

I guess they have a unique number in their student accounts, this number (+ maybe a formula like first digit and last 3 digits) should make it easy ... or you create your own list and give the student his id with the homework ... this has the advantage that you can use the same sample again for the next years (as long as there does not exist a solution with parametric).

- alfred -

[wael_eldessouki]

That's a very good point! 

This way, I wont have to prepare a new set of "fresh" exercises each time I teach the course. 

Thanks Alfred for this idea.  

[dbroad]

Depending on how innovative your engineering students are at work avoidance, the effectiveness of each of these may vary.

1)Require a log-file to be submitted along with the drawing.

2)Require a signature in each file attesting that the drawing is their own work.

3)Use proprietary tracking software to embed user and time information on each object created and to scan the submitted drawings.

4)Use a large assignment bank with random assignments such as a Moodle Quiz might allow.

5)Have them turn in a link to a YouTube video with them doing the work. They could use Screen-Cast-O-Matic with a video camera. This could double as a tool to train and correct.

6)Give each student a unique user coordinate system to start with.

7)Use employee monitoring software, such as veriato, within the legally allowable framework mutually agreed to.

.....use your imagination, possibly including subterfuge, to scare people out of cheating early.

I teach online and it has become very challenging keeping students engaged, motivated, and also to assist them on a timely basis when they run into problems, especially when those who really want to learn.  AutoDesk Screencast can be used to communicate and to solve problems.

[tramber]

---

@wael_eldessouki wrote:
1- Using the ConTEXT software to compare the DXF files was only successful in the scenario of only renaming of the AutoCAD file, but for the copy and past it did not give a definitive answer.

---

Really ? Don't you find the same objects in the same order ? for sure, coordinates can be different

[wael_eldessouki]

Thanks dbroad for your input, 

Most of my students are honest and I don't expect them to do any of that, but I am just worried for those few that might think that they can get their work done by others and hand it in. 

Having said that, I think all the students must finish their work during the lab hours and that's going to be the segment they will get a grade for. Of course a "random"sample will be checked to verify that there is no cheating.  

Thanks again

[wael_eldessouki]

I did not check the order,  the drawing I made had only three lines!  

That means in a 2D view, the drawing will have several lines!  I am afraid it will be confusing to compare the sequence between the two files.

Thanks again and best regards for you input

[tramber]

You're welcome.

DXF was an idea "like that".

It has been a decade since I opened one with a notepad, you know.

If we ecxept the coordinates (in sub-lists beginning with code 10) I thought to myself that all the rest should llok the same.

For sure, nothing is easy.

But in case of, not a copy-paste but a simple record under a name, the similarity should be obvious.

Still, it was just an idea, and anyone is welcome to suggest a clue.

[Anonymous]

Another good trick, print out the 2 assignments, overlay the sheets and hold it up to a light. If the drawings, notes & objects mostly line up, they cheated. Two people working independently cannot produce the same drawing in terms of the layout even from the same assignment. If it looks like they cheated, then they have prove they didn't.

[husse86]

Whats the Context Editor ? Is a software ? How could I get it ?

[pendean]

@husse86 While you wait... this remains the best solution https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/how-to-detect-plagiarism-in-autocad-files/m-p/7785892#M...

[Justin_Doughty]

If you have Navisworks, GUID could work.