Hello, thanks for your interests in our paper.
IntuModels: Enabling Interactive Modeling for the Novice through Idea Generation and Selection
My name is Yen-Ting Cho. This is a collaborative project between National
Cheng Kung University, Massachusetts institute of technology, and the University of Waterloo.
Digital fabrication enables people to quickly create physical models and prototypes.
In order to create a model, current fabrication processes require sufficient knowledge of
computer-aided design tools and geometric representations.
While previous projects have explored how to make tools and computational design more
accessible for people who do not have specialist knowledge, our preliminary research underlines
that novices still have questions about what to make and how to make with 3D digital modeling tools.
We broadly refer to users who are interested in customization and crafting but do not have
the required 3D modeling knowledge or skills as novice. The target users are novice crafters
or general users who may or may not have prior experience in CAD tools.
Whilst novices have the intent to make, they do not know how to make using 3D modelling.
The creation process usually involves these phases: ideation, design, prototyping, production, refinement.
In this paper, we propose a new machine-assisted workflow,
called IntuModels, to enable people to produce 3D models
using an indirect and process driven approach, inspired by brainstorming, so that the novice,
who has no 3D modeling background, can easily create their own 3D models.
The goal of IntuModels is not to design a 3D CAD tool, which is mostly used in the later
prototyping and production stages.
Instead, we aim to address the challenges novice makers face in the early ideation and
design stages (the what to create), as well as their lack of professional background
in 3D modeling (the how to make).
We combine multiple techniques, such as motion sensing, parametric design, and clustering,
to address the challenges presented above.
IntuModels is an interactive modeling workflow comprising two main phases: idea generation
and idea selection to further encourage an implicit initial intention to be explored
and transformed into more complex and multiple options.
We demonstrate and test the IntuModels workflow with wire-based jewelry creation which allows
users to create abstract and concrete shapes by moving their bodies to interact with the
selected transformed parametric models.
IntuModels also enables novices to brainstorm efficiently by providing an holistic overview
of the model options using machine learning techniques. The information it provides and
fast ideation helps users to make informed decisions and quickly reflect on the options available to them.
The created model options are process-driven, not random, and can be post-produced to meet
user's needs.
To overcome the two main challenges of the novice's unfamiliarity of 3D modeling and
generating a lot of ideas, we validate IntuModels through discussions about:
(1) intuitive experience, (2) idea encouraged interaction, (3) clear idea overview,
and (4) staged selection process.
In summary, this paper makes the following contributions:
(1) we propose a machine-assisted workflow that augments the interactive modeling process
with idea generation and selection, (2) we identify that combining parametric
models and designed transformation can stimulate novice users to create a large number of diverse
3D models, and (3) we demonstrate an intuitive interface
where novice users can create a 3D model without any prior experience.
Again, I thank you for your attention, and do reach out for any questions or comments
that you may have.