A Three-stage Conceptual Design Process Using Virtual Environments


 


Krause, Frank-Lothar.


Technical University Berlin


Institute for Machine Tools and Factory Management

Division Information Technology

Pascalstr. 8-9, 10587

Berlin, Germany



Göbel, Martin.

Fraunhofer IMK
Schloss Birlinghoven, 53754
St. Augustin, Germany
+49 (0) 2241/14-2366

martin.göbel@
imk.fraunhofer.de

http://www.imk.fraunhofer.de

 


Wesche, Gerold.

Fraunhofer IMK
Schloss Birlinghoven, 53754
St. Augustin, Germany
+49(0)2241/14-3408

gerold.wesche
@imk.fraunhofer.de

http://www.imk.fraunhofer.de

 

 

Biahmou Tchebetchou, Alain Roger

Technical University Berlin


Institute for Machine Tools and Factory Management

Division Information Technology

Pascalstr. 8-9, 10587

Berlin, Germany


+49 (0) 30 / 390 06-241

alain.biahmou@
ipk.fhg.de

http://www.iwf.tu-berlin.de

 

 


ABSTRACT

A simple conceptual design process that runs in a virtual environment is described. The design process consists of three stages. In each of the first two stages used to create, and after that, elaborate the model, techniques specifically suited to these tasks, are available. In the third stage, using 3D printing technology, a physical prototype is obtained from the digital model.

In the creation phase, an initial model is sketched directly in the virtual environment, by drawing a network of curves, and by fitting in surfaces. In the elaboration phase, virtual clay modeling techniques are used, which resemble the way designers work on such materials in reality. The model is converted into a volume representation at the transition into the elaboration phase, thus there is no need for a hybrid representation.

Keywords

Virtual reality, conceptual shape design, virtual clay modeling, virtual prototyping.