Enhanced software tools for early 3D design process

今天，3D设计对许多应用领域都很重要，例如建筑和室内设计，工业和机械设计，仿真，培训，娱乐等。很少有工具可以有效地应用在早期的设计过程中，在那里产生的想法，替代品进行调查，等等，这样做的后果是，设计师不探索设计空间，以及，这导致次优的设计结果。当前提案背后的见解是，3D设计过程的早期阶段需要不同的工具，以使人们能够发挥创造力，更好地探索设计空间，从而产生更好的设计，从而产生更具竞争力的产品。虽然工具不能直接创造性，但它们可以激发创造力。例如，早期设计阶段的软件工具需要简单易用--这样用户就可以专注于设计，而不是界面--但功能强大，需要促进创造性的探索。我以前的工作已经产生了易于学习和使用的3D软件。目前的建议将为早期3D设计过程开发增强的软件工具。特别是，它提出了新的技术来创建和修改常见的对象形状，如倾斜的表面和弯曲的对象。此外，我们还将研究易于操作大规模设计的有效方法。第二个研究领域将开发软件工具，使工作与几个版本的设计更容易，因为早期的设计工作很少涉及只有一个设计方案。另一个方面将集中在合并不同的版本和研究技术，以更好地支持设计过程的迭代特性。第三个研究领域将针对协同设计，因为大多数3D设计项目涉及多个利益相关者。由于现有系统的局限性，在设计过程中的协作通常是有限的。基于一种新颖的交互式桌子和墙壁基础设施，该研究将与专业设计师合作评估设计如何受到允许参与者在会议期间自由协作的系统的影响。

Today, 3D design is important to many application areas, such as architecture & interior design, industrial & mechanical design, simulation, training, entertainment, etc. Most current 3D design software is targeted at the late design process, where refinement happens. Few tools can be applied productively in the early design process, where ideas are generated, alternatives are investigated, etc. The consequence of this is that designers do not explore the design space well, which leads to suboptimal design results. The insight behind the current proposal is that different tools are needed for the early phases of the 3D design process to enable people to be creative, explore the design space better and hence generate better designs, which in turn leads to more competitive products. While tools cannot directly be creative, they can stimulate creativity. For example, software tools for the early design stages need to be simple to use - so that users can concentrate on the design, not the interface - yet powerful and need to foster creative exploration. My previous work has already yielded 3D software that is easy to learn and simple to use.The current proposal will develop enhanced software tools for the early 3D design process. In particular, it proposes novel techniques to create and modify common object shapes such as slanted surfaces and curved objects. Also, we will look at efficient methods for the easy manipulation of large-scale designs. A second area of research will develop software tools to make work with several versions of a design easier, as early design work rarely involves only one design alternative. Another aspect will focus on merging different versions and investigate techniques to support the iterative nature of the design process better. The third area of research will target collaborative design, as most 3D design projects involve several stakeholders. Due to limitations of existing systems, collaboration is usually limited in the design process. Based on a novel interactive table and wall infrastructure, the research will evaluate in collaboration with professional designers how design is affected by systems that allow participants to freely collaborate during a meeting.