An Advanced Application Sharing System for Synchronous Collaboration in Heterogeneous Environments

visually. This is a many-to-one relation where multiple design semantics are linked to one graphic object . Shared aggregated objects. The aggregation of graphics objects is not only use d to collect objects in a certain way such as hierarchica l composition, but also to relate concepts to som e shared aggregated objects. This is a one-to-man y relation where one design semantics is related to a group of objects. Shared objects allow different concepts that represent variou s designers perspectives to coexist at different stages of the design process. This is reflected by the fact that functional descriptions and functional relationships can be dynamicall y developed. These descriptions are based on the variou s forms of digital media. In this context, the process of modelling a system at an appropriate level of detail and at an appropriate level of abstraction is simplified. A multimedi a document can be combined to reflect a particular view o f each participant. Design activities can be viewed as the process of developing a design system and identifying relationships between entities within the system. The incorporatio n of multiple views of design semantics in the graphics objec t will result in better understanding of design and improve d communication and collaboration. Summar y In summary, the development of collaborative design environments makes the issue of ambiguity in the representatio n of design objects more apparent. Two designers canno t share representations if they perceive different abstractions o r if they use different semantic models. The approach presented here is to identify graphical and semantic objects tha t can be abstracted and aggregated as a tangled hierarchy. Thi s allows different semantic aggregations to co-exist and b e made explicit. MATE Design enables designers to incorporate the various forms of digital media of design object s through the use of shared objects and shared visua l workspace .