Conceptual design and analysis by sketching

Abstract

The ability of a CAD system to perceive a three-dimensional model depicted in a single freehand sketch presents the practical possibility of bringing numerous established analysis tools into the early stages of design to institute conceptual analysis. In this article we hypothesize that the key to enabling systems to reason and communicate about conceptual design is the language of sketching. We explore this approach, outline the basic algorithms required, and provide several examples of an implemented system.