Cumincad : CUMINCAD Papers : Search Results

CumInCAD is a Cumulative Index about publications in Computer Aided Architectural Design
supported by the sibling associations ACADIA, CAADRIA, eCAADe, SIGraDi, ASCAAD and CAAD futures

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_id	caadria2006_601
id	caadria2006_601
authors	BINSU CHIANG, MAO-LIN CHIU
year	2006
title	PRIVATE/UN-PRIVATE SPACE: Scenario-based Digital Design for Enhancing User Awareness
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.caadria.2006.x.s8b
source	CAADRIA 2006 [Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia] Kumamoto (Japan) March 30th - April 2nd 2006, 601-603
summary	Context awareness is important for human senses of places as well as human computer interaction. The aim of this research paper is focusing on controlling the user's privacy in a smart space which is adaptive to different users for enhancing the user's awareness in his diary life. In Environmental Psychology, the definition of privacy is that an individual has the control of deciding what information of himself is released to others, and under how he interact with others. (Westin 1970) And privacy is categorized as the linguistic privacy and visual privacy. (Sundstorm 1986). Solutions for privacy control: Plan Layout, Vision Boundary, Access Control and Architecture Metaphor - the transmission of information is not ascertainable for every single user. Although information are shown in public, but information is implied by cues and symbols. Only a certain user or a group of users have access to the full context of information. The methodology is to form an analytic framework to study the relationship between information, user and activities by using the computational supports derived from KitchenSense, ConceptNet, Python, 3d Studio Max and Flash; and to record patterns built up by users' behaviour and actions. Furthermore, the scenario-based simulation can envision the real world conditions by adding interfaces for enhancing user awareness.
series	CAADRIA
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:49

_id	eb7a
authors	Porada, Mikhael
year	1999
title	Virtual Analogy and Architecture
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.1999.069
source	Architectural Computing from Turing to 2000 [eCAADe Conference Proceedings / ISBN 0-9523687-5-7] Liverpool (UK) 15-17 September 1999, pp. 69-73
summary	Our fashion of thought is dialogic in its way to use simultaneously logic- mathematics and analogical approaches (Morin, 1986). The analogy works as well at the level of the unconscious by the construction of an analogon that permits us to recognise a face between thousand of others, despite changes intervened in time; as consciously where by an effort of constructive analogy, we establish bridges between different events or domains giving to the design a new lighting that puts it on the way to a solution. For this reason visual approach acquires a great importance in the establishment of similitude in conception. Many testimonies of scientists, philosophers, artists confirm this observation about their creative work, while underlining the danger of no founded analogies. In current life, analogy brings a support of likeness to the daily conversations, and the possibility to advance in the dialogue by a chaining of analogies having for objective to strengthen the speech.
series	eCAADe
email
last changed	2022/06/07 08:00

_id	5509
authors	Koutamanis, Alexandros
year	1990
title	Development of a computerized handbook of architectural plans
source	Delft University of Technology
summary	The dissertation investigates an approach to the development of visual / spatial computer representations for architectural purposes through the development of the computerized handbook of architectural plans (chap), a knowledge-based computer system capable of recognizing the metric properties of architectural plans. This investigation can be summarized as an introduction of computer vision to the computerization of architectural representations: chap represents an attempt to automate recognition of the most essential among conventional architectural drawings, floor plans. The system accepts as input digitized images of architectural plans and recognizes their spatial primitives (locations) and their spatial articulation on a variety of abstraction levels. The final output of chap is a description of the plan in terms of the grouping formations detected in its spatial articulation. The overall structure of the description is based on an analysis of its conformity to the formal rules of its “stylistic” context (which in the initial version of chap is classical architecture). Chapter 1 suggests that the poor performance of computerized architectural drawing and design systems is among others evidence of the necessity to computerize visual / spatial architectural representations. A recognition system such as chap offers comprehensive means for the investigation of a methodology for the development and use of such representations. Chapter 2 describes a fundamental task of chap: recognition of the position and shape of locations, the atomic parts of the description of an architectural plan in chap. This operation represents the final and most significant part of the first stage in processing an image input in machine environment. Chapter 3 moves to the next significant problem, recognition of the spatial arrangement of locations in an architectural plan, that is, recognition of grouping relationships that determine the subdivision of a plan into parts. In the absence of systematic and exhaustive typologic studies of classical architecture that would allow us to define a repertory of the location group types possible in classical architectural plans, Chapter 3 follows a bottom-up approach based on grouping relationships derived from elementary architectural knowledge and formalized with assistance from Gestalt theory and its antecedents. The grouping process described in Chapter 3 corresponds both in purpose and in structure to the derivation of a description of an image in computer vision [Marr 1982]. Chapter 4 investigates the well-formedness of the description of a classical architectural plan in an analytical manner: each relevant level (or sublevel) of the classical canon according to Tzonis & Lefaivre [1986] is transformed into a single group of criteria of well-formedness which is investigated independently. The hierarchical structure of the classical canon determines the coordination of these criteria into a sequence of cognitive filters which progressively analyses the correspondence of the descriptions derived as in Chapter 3 to the constraints of the canon. The methodology and techniques presented in the dissertation are primarily considered with respect to chap, a specific recognition system. The resulting specification of chap gives a measure of the use of such a system within the context of a computerized collection of architectural precedents and also presents several extensions to other areas of architecture. Although these extensions are not considered as verifiable claims, Chapter 5 describes some of their implications, including on the role of architectural drawing in computerized design systems, on architectural typologies, and on the nature and structure of generative systems in architecture.
series	thesis:PhD
email
last changed	2003/02/12 22:37

_id	e65f
authors	Haines, Eric A. and Greenberg, Donald P.
year	1986
title	The Light Buffer: A Shadow-Testing Accelerator
source	IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications. September, 1986. vol. 6: pp. 6-16 : col. ill. includes bibliography
summary	In one area of computer graphics, realistic image synthesis, the ultimate goal is to produce a picture indistinguishable from a photograph of a real environment. A particularly powerful technique for simulating light reflection - an important element in creating this realism - is called ray tracing. This method produces images of excellent quality, but suffers from lengthy computation time that limits its practical use. This article presents a new method to reduce shadow testing time during ray tracing. The technique involves generating light buffers, each of which partitions the environment with respect to an individual light source. These partition descriptions are then used during shadow testing to quickly determine a small subset of objects that may have to be tested for intersection. The results of timing tests illustrate the beneficial performance of these techniques. The tests compare the standard ray-tracing algorithm to light buffers of varying resolution
keywords	realism, synthesis, ray tracing, algorithms, computer graphics, shadowing
series	CADline
last changed	2003/06/02 13:58

_id	6686
authors	Straub, K.
year	1986
title	Problems in CAD Practice
source	Computer-Aided Architectural Design Futures [CAAD Futures Conference Proceedings / ISBN 0-408-05300-3] Delft (The Netherlands), 18-19 September 1985, pp. 232-234
summary	CAD's greatest promise is as a creative, interactive tool, and planning and construction will be more complex as the need to expand information grows. Our tools not only shape our products, they shape our lives. Technology can influence everyday life and also affect the structure of our society. Architecture is an information-intensive profession, and throughout the world information-intensive activities are being changed by technology. The use of computer-aided information processing in planning and construction brings about a period of dramatic change, and the dimensions of technological change will be breathtaking. In the years to come, CAD will be an expanding field in the architectural office, but how long will it be before architecture is routinely produced on a CAD system? There appear to be three issues: (1) cost; (2) time; (3) quality.
series	CAAD Futures
last changed	1999/04/03 17:58

_id	a661
authors	Cajati, Claudio and Calandro, Lucia
year	1986
title	Architectural analysis of buildings in order to choice new functional destinations: an application of computer graphics for Faculty of Architecture's students
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.1986.017
source	Teaching and Research Experience with CAAD [4th eCAADe Conference Proceedings] Rome (Italy) 11-13 September 1986, pp. 17-19
summary	The research tries to give a little but meaningful answer to the specific context of the Faculty of Architecture of Naples. Such a context presents a delay of teachers and researchers, in their teaching and researching activity, in beginning the CAAD way. Often the delay is due to a wrong attitude: a too high or too low expectation towards the use of the computer. In such a situation, the chief target of the research is the student of architecture. It is possible and useful to address a clear message, by a simple educational material, just to the student of architecture; not necessarily by producing a software or modifying some existing one, but also applying a given available software to an important architectural question.
series	eCAADe
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:54

_id	c8a8
authors	Cajati, Claudio
year	1986
title	A Fully Integrated Use of Available Media and of Computer Technology for Up-to-date Educational Tools in Architecture
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.acadia.1986.129
source	ACADIA Workshop ‘86 Proceedings - Houston (Texas - USA) 24-26 October 1986, pp. 129-147
summary	In this paper no general or specific forecast is- made about what is going to happen in the next decade in architectural education. No extrapolation and projection in the future, through more or 1e33 sophisticated technique3, of plausible trends is attempted. Such an effort goes beyond the competence and inteffectual force of the author.
series	ACADIA
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:54

_id	6643
authors	Carrara, Gianfranco and Novembri, Gabriele
year	1986
title	Expert System for Building Design
source	Congress of the International Council for Building Research, Studies and Documentation (10th : 1986 : Washington). vol. 2: pp. 651-658. includes bibliography. -- abstract also in French
summary	At the CABD LAB at the University of Rome, an interactive expert system for architecture is being implemented to supervise building design at every stage of development. The system operates by checking the consistency of design choices against given sets of constraints, and by automatically checking the design process. It is therefore an innovation with respect to current architectural software developed as specific design aids. The system is based on a general representation of building objects (from components to the whole building) by means of semantic nets and a set of inferential procedures. The general representation is developed by making explicit the relational structures according to which architects organize their knowledge about building objects. To do this, the `Frame' formalism is used: this is a knowledge representation technique used in the field of artificial intelligence. It is then shown that such an expert CAAD system is a general purpose tool for architectural design, enabling architects to assess any constraint and/or building attribute by means of a declarative method, which in no way affects their own specific design methodologies
keywords	semantic networks, representation, constraints, expert systems, CAD, building, design process, knowledge, frames
series	CADline
last changed	2003/06/02 13:58

_id	8db7
authors	Gero, John S., Radford, Antony D. and Rosenman, Michael A. (et al)
year	1986
title	Knowledge-based Building Design
source	CIB 86, Advanced Building Technology, Proceedings. 1986. vol. 1: pp. 93-102
summary	CADLINE has abstract only. The use of the right knowledge depends not only on its availability but also on the designer recognizing that it is needed. The great majority of failures in building design and construction come from the non-application of existing, recorded knowledge; the designer either could not find the right information, or never recognized that the existing basis for making design decisions was inadequate in a new context. This paper describes some work towards the development of knowledge-based computer-aided design tools in which the knowledge is explicit, explained and open to modification. The philosophy behind the work is that design is almost always better if it is based on better knowledge, and that knowledge should be linked as closely as possible to the design activity. Rather than rely on a theoretical discussion, the authors make some brief statements about the nature of such knowledge-based systems and then give some working examples from the Architectural Computing Unit in the University of Sydney
keywords	building, knowledge base, design, architecture, CAD
series	CADline
email
last changed	2003/06/02 13:58

_id	c898
authors	Gero, John S.
year	1986
title	An Overview of Knowledge Engineering and its Relevance to CAAD
source	Computer-Aided Architectural Design Futures [CAAD Futures Conference Proceedings / ISBN 0-408-05300-3] Delft (The Netherlands), 18-19 September 1985, pp. 107-119
summary	Computer-aided architectural design (CAAD) has come to mean a number of often disparate activities. These can be placed into one of two categories: using the computer as a drafting and, to a lesser extent, modelling system; and using it as a design medium. The distinction between the two categories is often blurred. Using the computer as a drafting and modelling tool relies on computing notions concerned with representing objects and structures numerically and with ideas of computer programs as procedural algorithms. Similar notions underly the use of computers as a design medium. We shall return to these later. Clearly, all computer programs contain knowledge, whether methodological knowledge about processes or knowledge about structural relationships in models or databases. However, this knowledge is so intertwined with the procedural representation within the program that it can no longer be seen or found. Architecture is concerned with much more than numerical descriptions of buildings. It is concerned with concepts, ideas, judgement and experience. All these appear to be outside the realm of traditional computing. Yet architects discoursing use models of buildings largely unrelated to either numerical descriptions or procedural representations. They make use of knowledge - about objects, events and processes - and make nonprocedural (declarative) statements that can only be described symbolically. The limits of traditional computing are the limits of traditional computer-aided design systems, namely, that it is unable directly to represent and manipulate declarative, nonalgorithmic, knowledge or to perform symbolic reasoning. Developments in artificial intelligence have opened up ways of increasing the applicability of computers by acquiring and representing knowledge in computable forms. These approaches supplement rather than supplant existing uses of computers. They begin to allow the explicit representations of human knowledge. The remainder of this chapter provides a brief introduction to this field and describes, through applications, its relevance to computer- aided architectural design.
series	CAAD Futures
email
last changed	2003/05/16 20:58

_id	e799
authors	Howes, Jaki
year	1986
title	Computer Education in Schools of Architecture and the Needs of Practice
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.1986.045
source	Teaching and Research Experience with CAAD [4th eCAADe Conference Proceedings] Rome (Italy) 11-13 September 1986, pp. 45-48
summary	In April 1985 there was a meeting (at Huddersfield Polytechnic) or representatives from 26 Schools of Architecture. At this, concern was expressed about the lack of direction from the RIBA with regard to the appropriate level of computer teaching on architectural courses. In addition, it was felt that it was essential that at least one member of a Visiting Board panel should be computer literate and in a position to give advice. These points were raised at the RIBA Computer Committee later in 1985, and the committee's attention was also drawn to comments contained in the report by HM Inspector on Public Sector Education in Architecture (1985) based on investigations made during 1984.
series	eCAADe
email
last changed	2022/06/07 07:50

_id	e12d
authors	Johnson, Robert E.
year	1986
title	Micro-computers and Computer Aided Design Instruction
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.acadia.1986.173
source	ACADIA Workshop ‘86 Proceedings - Houston (Texas - USA) 24-26 October 1986, pp. 173-181
summary	During the past few years we have been involved in a variety of experiments that teach the use of computers to non-computer oriented architecture students. These teaching experiences have led to the development of an experimental, entry-level course in computer-aided architectural design using the Macintosh personal computer. Objectives of this course included: a) to provide an introductory course to students with little or no prior computer experience, b) to use the course as a vehicle for illustrating principles of computer-aided design, c) to course so that it would be applicable to design in general, not just architectural design, and d) whenever possible, to use "off the shelf', generic, readily accessible software. The history of these developments will be presented along with a very preliminary evaluation of results.
series	ACADIA
last changed	2022/06/07 07:52

_id	c3ca
authors	Rasdorf, William J. and Watson, Bruce R.
year	1986
title	ADI : An Adaptive Database Interface for Dynamic Databases
source	ASME Symposium Proceedings on Knowledge based Expert Systems for Manufacturing. Anaheim, CA: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Production Engineering Division, December, 1986. pp. 119-130. CADLINE has abstract only
summary	The operation of a manufacturing organization often depends on its underlying design and manufacturing databases. In a manufacturing environment, many users, both individuals and application programs, must have access to one or more of the organization's databases to provide, use, or modify data, to control information flow, and to facilitate information management. Such databases routinely undergo dynamic changes in both their content and their structure. These changes commonly result from the design of new products, the introduction of new materials, and the introduction of new machines and processes on the shop floor. Such continuing changes must be reflected in the database schemas and subsequently require that application programs be updated and that online users be educated on a continuous basis. The problem addressed in this paper is that it is difficult for users and application programs to get the information that they need, when they need it, from the multiple heterogeneous database management system (DBMS) environments that have evolved in design and manufacturing organizations. The solution proposed here is to build a general, extendable interface between database users and the many sources of data available to them. This in itself is not a new suggestion; a number of researchers have addressed portions of this problem. In general, the interfaces that they have developed to date are best suited to environments where the structure of the database is static and does not change over time. One of the things that this paper proposes that is different from existing work is an interface which handles the dynamic restructuring nature of manufacturing databases, enabling a user to obtain the most accurate and up to date information as the structure and content of the underlying databases change. Another unique aspect of the DBMS interface proposed herein is that the interface attempts to capture the knowledge that an experienced human user incorporates in his search for data in a database, i.e., it seeks to identify and use the generic knowledge needed to operate a DBMS. This knowledge is used by the interface to enable both the online users and the application programs to request data without knowing the data's location or precisely how to ask for it. Further, the interface makes use of mechanisms that allow the user to request data without knowing the exact identity of the required entities that are stored in the database
keywords	engineering, database, manufacturing, user interface
series	CADline
last changed	2003/06/02 10:24

_id	6728
authors	Rossignac, Jaroslaw R. and Requicha, Aristides A. G.
year	1986
title	Depth- Buffering Display Techniques for Constructive Solid Geometry
source	IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications. September, 1986. vol. 6: pp. 29-39 : ill. some col. includes bibliography
summary	Solid modelers based on constructive solid geometry (CSG) typically generate shaded displays directly from CSG by using ray-casting techniques, which do not require information on the faces, edges, and vertices that bound a solid. This article describes an alternative - a simple new algorithm based on a depth-buffering or z-buffering approach. The z- buffer display algorithm operates directly on CSG, does not require explicit boundary data, and is easier to implement than ray casting. Ray-casting and z-buffering algorithms have comparable performances, but z-buffering is often faster for objects with complex surfaces, because it avoids expensive curve/surface intersection calculations. Because of their simplicity, depth-buffering algorithms for CSG are well- suited to hardware implementations, and may lead to machines simpler than those now being built for ray casting
keywords	geometric modeling, CSG, display, computer graphics
series	CADline
last changed	2003/06/02 13:58

_id	a771
authors	Roth, J., Hashimshony, R. and Ishai, E.
year	1986
title	Using the Computer as a Teaching Aid for Architecture Students - Some Examples
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.1986.127
source	Teaching and Research Experience with CAAD [4th eCAADe Conference Proceedings] Rome (Italy) 11-13 September 1986, pp. 127-135
summary	The use of computers has become part of the regular curriculum in many schools of Architecture in the last few years. In addition to specific courses related to basic computer knowledge (e.g.: programming), the computer's main application is in the design studio for evaluating alternatives (e.g.: GOAL, GABLE), or as a drafting aid (e.g.: BIBLE AUTOCAD, ARC+). We believe that using the computer as a regular part of the teaching in all the courses is of great importance. In this paper we present three examples in which the computer was used as a teaching aid in courses not related to the design studio: "Morphology" and "Introduction to lnterior Design".
series	eCAADe
last changed	2022/06/07 07:56

_id	44e3
authors	Schiavoni, Ugo
year	1986
title	An Areal Data Management Package
doi	https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.1986.295
source	Teaching and Research Experience with CAAD [4th eCAADe Conference Proceedings] Rome (Italy) 11-13 September 1986, pp. 295-304
summary	The Areal Data Management Package was created to fulfill the need for a data manipulation system on the basis of a grid cell data structure. The package was originally developed for use by research operators in land planning and natural resources. Over the past three years the package has been used extensively by various users, including students under and postgraduates. The ADM has been designed for users having no experience with computers, but it does assume understanding of resources and land planning information. The specific manipulative capabilities of ADM Package are designed to help land use planners analyze the natural and man-made characteristics of an area. The ADM is intended as a tool to manage spatially disposed thematic and categorical information, in many cases supplementing or analysis.
series	eCAADe
last changed	2022/06/07 07:57

_id	020d
authors	Shaviv, Edna
year	1986
title	Layout Design Problems: Systematic Approaches
source	Computer-Aided Architectural Design Futures [CAAD Futures Conference Proceedings / ISBN 0-408-05300-3] Delft (The Netherlands), 18-19 September 1985, pp. 28-52
summary	The complexity of the layout design problems known as the 'spatial allocation problems' gave rise to several approaches, which can be generally classified into two main streams. The first attempts to use the computer to generate solutions of the building layout, while in the second, computers are used only to evaluate manually generated solutions. In both classes the generation or evaluation of the layout are performed systematically. Computer algorithms for 'spatial allocation problems' first appeared more than twenty-five years ago (Koopmans, 1957). From 1957 to 1970 over thirty different programs were developed for generating the floor plan layout automatically, as is summarized in CAP-Computer Architecture Program, Vol. 2 (Stewart et al., 1970). It seems that any architect who entered the area of CAAD felt that it was his responsibility to find a solution to this prime architectural problem. Most of the programs were developed for batch processing, and were run on a mainframe without any sophisticated input/output devices. It is interesting to mention that, because of the lack of these sophisticated input/output devices, early researchers used the approach of automatic generation of optimal or quasioptimal layout solution under given constraints. Gradually, we find a recession and slowdown in the development of computer programs for generation of layout solutions. With the improvement of interactive input/output devices and user interfaces, the inclination today is to develop integrated systems in which the architectural solution is obtained manually by the architect and is introduced to the computer for the appraisal of the designer's layout solution (Maver, 1977). The manmachine integrative systems could work well, but it seems that in most of the integrated systems today, and in the commercial ones in particular, there is no route to any appraisal technique of the layout problem. Without any evaluation techniques in commercial integrated systems it seems that the geometrical database exists Just to create working drawings and sometimes also perspectives.
series	CAAD Futures
email
last changed	2003/05/16 20:58

_id	f3aa
authors	Tyler, Sherman William
year	1986
title	SAUCI. Self-Adaptive User Computer Interfaces
source	Carnegie Mellon University,Pittsburgh
summary	Different approaches to the design of the human-computer interface have been taken in the past. These can be organized into four broad categories: tack-on; intuitive/empirical; formal; and conversational. There are several important interface design criteria that have never been adequately attained in any of these approaches. One is modularity, that is, maintaining a clear separation between the interface and its target system. A second criterion is self-adaptation, or the ability of the interface to modify its own behavior to suit a given individual user. Two further criteria relate to the interface's potential to guide users in performing typical high-level tasks on the target system and to provide intelligent advice on the use of that system. This research was focused on developing an integrated technique for achieving these four design criteria. To that end, an abstract architecture called SAUCI, or the Self-Adaptive User-Computer Interface, was proposed, embodying a knowledge-based, object-oriented approach to interface design. The foundation of this approach rests upon information encoded within sets of objects. This information includes separate knowledge bases describing the individual users, the commands of the target system, and the high-level tasks appropriate for that system. The behavior of the interface is controlled by various methods which call upon the knowledge bases in a rule-governed manner to decide what interface features should be present at each phase of the user's dialogue with the target system. To test the feasibility of the proposed architecture, a working interface was implemented on a Xerox 1108 computer in the LOOPS language, with a UNIX operating system running on a separate minicomputer as the target system. An empirical evaluation of this prototype revealed clear advantages over the standard interface. Closer examination pointed to each of the factors of modularity, task guidance, and user-tailored assistance as playing a significant role in these effects. A discussion of additional applications of this architecture and of areas for future development is offered as further evidence of the value of this approach as a general framework for human-computer interface design.
series	thesis:PhD
last changed	2003/02/12 22:37

_id	2df1
authors	Woodbury, Robert F.
year	1986
title	Strategies for Interactive Design Systems
source	20 p. : ill. Pittsburgh, PA: Engineering Design Research Center, September, 1986. EDRC-48-02-87.
summary	An information processing model of human problem solving is used to develop strategies for the design of systems for the interactive generation of designs. Systems of this type are currently not strongly developed anywhere, nor does there exist in the literature a paradigm for their creation. Design is a task which requires different interactive support than that traditionally provided by CAD systems. In this paper, those differences are uncovered by comparison of two tasks: one, named Definition in this paper, which seems to be well supported by existing systems; and the other, the task of Design. Use of an information processing model of human problem solving shows that differences between the tasks can be found in every potentially variant portion of the model. The information processing model is again used as a framework to propose mechanisms to support design. These mechanisms act by changing the underlaying phenomena upon which the information processing model is built and thus effecting changes, either parametric or structural, in the model. The relative importance of the proposed mechanisms is discussed, leading to the conclusion that the interactive support of search is the most strategic direction for future research
keywords	design process, problem solving, research, techniques, user interface, systems
series	CADline
email
last changed	2003/06/02 13:58

_id	69c7
authors	Woodbury, Robert F.
year	1986
title	VEGA : A Geometric Modelling System
source	11 p. : ill. Engineering Design Research Center, CMU, April 1986. DRC-48-03-87. includes bibliography
summary	VEGA is a program which models rigid solid objects in three dimensions. Specifically, its domain is assemblies of planar faced polyhedra. VEGA supports a variety of operations to create, modify, query and delete these assemblies. VEGA is intended to serve two purposes: that of a new medium of representation for the design process; and of a programming package to support geometric applications in a wide variety of domains. Here the author addresses primarily the first of these purposes, that of a new medium for design. Designers of physical objects use an external medium, traditionally paper or physical models, not only to record their work, but to provide information which assists in the understanding of implications of design decisions. Designers proceed by performing operations, which reflect internal design decisions, on this external medium. The operations used in design are generally reflective of these physical media. For example, models built of clay tend to be formed by a subtractive processes, whereas models built of wood tend to be additive in nature. Designers who use drawings as their medium still tend to use operations which reflect operations on physical models. Computers provide the fascinating potential to provide a much wider variety of operations at a much greater speed than is available with the traditional means of representation. In addition, a computer based representation can provide quantitative information not easily accessible from traditional forms. This opens the potential for the inclusion of formal means of evaluation in the design process; something which is generally almost absent in traditional design teaching. A computer program which effectively and 'naturally' models physical objects and operations on them would be a valuable assistance to both the teaching and practice design. VEGA has been designed with these objectives in mind. VEGA represents physical objects with a scheme known as boundary representation and provides a wide variety of operations on these objects. VEGA also provides means to associate other, non-geometric, information with the objects it represents. VEGA is implemented under the ANDREW system. It communicates to ANDREW through a graphics package, also developed by the author's group. VEGA is intended to serve as a medium for future studio courses in the Architecture, Industrial Design and Arts education
keywords	geometric modeling, solid modeling, CAD, education, assemblies, B-rep, systems
series	CADline
email
last changed	2003/06/02 10:24

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