Advancing Design Reuse through Intelligible Dialogs in Feature-Based CAD Modeling

Abstract

This Ph.D. thesis explores the advancement of design reuse in the domain of 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD), focusing on feature-based CAD modeling. With the growing accessibility of CAD tools to a broad audience, including hobbyists and domain experts, the complexity and sophistication of these tools present significant challenges, particularly for novice users. Traditional approaches to alleviate these challenges often compromise on the tool’s functionality, limiting the users’ creative and practical output. This thesis proposes a novel approach to democratize access to parametric CAD modeling using industry-standard, feature-based CAD modeling tools. This is enabled through the development of intelligible systems that aid in the creation and understanding of parametric models, thereby facilitating effective design reuse.

The research is motivated by the potential of parametric CAD models in revolutionizing design processes by allowing for easy customization and adaptation of designs, thereby enhancing productivity across both amateur and professional landscapes. Through the development of two main systems, CODA and History in Motion (HiM), this thesis presents innovative solutions for enhancing intelligibility in CAD modeling. CODA assists in creating parametric CAD models by suggesting and explaining constraints and parametric behavior, while HiM aids in understanding the build-up of CAD models by providing interactive visual explanations of relevant modeling features.

The evaluation of these systems demonstrates their potential in reducing the comiplexity associated with parametric modeling, making this powerful concept more accessible to a wider audience. By offering interactive intelligible dialogs that guide users in modifying and understanding parametric models, the thesis contributes to the democratization of CAD tools, enabling more users to harness the full potential of CAD modeling for design reuse.

This work not only addresses the technical challenges in simplifying the use of CAD tools but also has broader implications for the field of human-computer interaction, opening up new avenues for research in the accessibility of complex software systems. The thesis concludes with a discussion on the future work directed towards the envisioned future of making CAD tools more intuitive and capable of supporting a diverse range of design reuse scenarios.