CoBlocks: An Improved Voxel-Based Design Tool by Object Structuring of Voxel Models

This paper introduces a voxel-based collaborative modelling system called CoBlocks which was developed to support designers in building models together in a synchronized virtual environment. This is due to the fact that voxel models are gaining more attention in computer-aided design (CAD) systems as they support simple and intuitive modelling for the early design phases. However, due to the discrete nature of voxels, it is common practice in most voxel-based design systems that the voxel modelling methods have limited users to manipulate models at the level of individual voxels. From the literature, however, we might expect that voxel modelling would benefit from higher-level interaction as supported by the object structuring of such models. In light of these, a controlled lab study was therefore carried out to examine the benefits of the structuring of these models in voxel-based design systems. The results show that users prefer working with structured voxels and that they can interact better with them.

[1]  Michael D. Coovert,et al.  Determining the Number of Common Factors in Factor Analysis: A Review and Program , 1988 .

[2]  Hh Henri Achten,et al.  Multiple sketch users in DDDoolz. , 2001 .

[3]  Francis Eng Hock Tay,et al.  CyberCAD: a collaborative approach in 3D-CAD technology in a multimedia-supported environment , 2003, Comput. Ind..

[4]  Bert de Vries,et al.  Interactive 3D Modeling in the Inception Phase of Architectural Design , 2001, Eurographics.

[5]  L. Ball,et al.  Structure in idea sketching behaviour , 1998 .

[6]  Hh Henri Achten,et al.  DDDOOLZ. A Virtual Reality Sketch Tool for Early Design , 2000 .

[7]  R. Hamel,et al.  Sketching and creative discovery , 1998 .

[8]  J. Nunnally.  Psychometric Theory (2nd ed), New York: McGraw-Hill. , 1978 .

[9]  Saul Greenberg,et al.  Real time groupware as a distributed system: concurrency control and its effect on the interface , 1994, CSCW '94.

[10]  John F. Hughes,et al.  Sculpting: an interactive volumetric modeling technique , 1991, SIGGRAPH.

[11]  Leonard McMillan,et al.  Computer graphics and architecture: state of the art and outlook for the future , 1998, COMG.

[12]  Hh Henri Achten,et al.  DDDoolz: designing with modular masses , 2002 .

[13]  T. Kvan,et al.  Design , Communication & Collaboration in Immersive Virtual Environments , 2005 .

[14]  Carl Gutwin,et al.  The effects of workspace awareness support on the usability of real-time distributed groupware , 1999, TCHI.

[15]  Arie E. Kaufman,et al.  Volume sculpting , 1995, I3D '95.

[16]  Min Chen,et al.  Modelling and Rendering Graphics Scenes Composed of Multiple Volumetric Datasets , 1999, Comput. Graph. Forum.

[17]  William J. Mitchell,et al.  The Logic of Architecture: Design, Computation, and Cognition , 1992 .

[18]  Tek-Jin Nam,et al.  The development and evaluation of Syco3D: a real-time collaborative 3D CAD system , 2001 .

[19]  James R. Lewis,et al.  Psychometric Evaluation of the PSSUQ Using Data from Five Years of Usability Studies , 2002, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Interact..

[20]  Min Chen,et al.  Constructive Representations of Volumetric Environments , 2000, Volume Graphics.

[21]  William J. Mitchell,et al.  Digital Design Media: A Handbook for Architects and Design Professionals , 1991 .

[22]  G. J. Jense,et al.  Voxel-based methods for CAD , 1989 .

[23]  Wolfgang Stuerzlinger,et al.  A system for desktop conceptual 3D design , 2004, Virtual Reality.

[24]  James R. Lewis,et al.  IBM computer usability satisfaction questionnaires: Psychometric evaluation and instructions for use , 1995, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Interact..

[25]  Owain Pedgley,et al.  Incorporating the freeform haptic modelling system into new product development , 2003 .