Experiments with a cameraphone-aided design (CpAD) system

Abstract

Paper-based freehand sketching is still widely used by practicing designers to externalise

their early form design solutions. Existing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems are

mostly used in later design stages, as their user-interface lacks the fluidity of freehand

sketching. To combine the benefits of sketching with those of 3D modelling technology,

various Computer-Aided Sketching (CAS) tools have been developed. However, research

efforts in this field were focused on integrating digital sketching with 3D modelling

technology, thereby replacing the natural, portable and readily available paper medium. It is

frequent that designers also think of concepts outside their design office. In view of this, a

sketching medium that is portable and readily available to use, is required to instantly capture

the flow of design ideas. Based on these arguments, this paper reports the on-going

development of a cameraphone-aided design (CPAD) system. Such a system enables

designers to remotely obtain visual representations of 3D geometric models from freehand

sketches, by exploiting paper portability with that of cameraphones. Although limitations

were identified from a prototype CPAD tool implemented, evaluation results collectively

justify further research on the CPAD approach being developed.