An Evaluation of a Language for Paper-based Form Sketching

Designers still sketch on paper to externalize their early form concepts. The user-interface of current Computer-Aided Geometric Modelling (CAGM) systems lacks the fluidity of sketching. Yet, such systems are still useful in conceptual design since they assist designers in visualizing an evolving form idea. The research disclosed in this paper is aimed at combining the benefits of paper-based freehand sketches with those of three-dimensional (3D) models. More specifically, this paper reports the on-going development of a prescribed sketching language (PSL) required to create a seamless link between paper-based form sketching and CAGM systems. Evaluation results revealed that whilst PSL is easy-to-learn, yet it requires improvements. Such a sketching language contributes a step towards simulating early form design solutions by the combined use of paper-based sketches and 3D models.