Design Review Using Virtual Reality Enabled CAD

Abstract

Computer Aided Design (CAD) has been crucial to the engineering design process since the 1960s due to the ability to create 2D and 3D design representations and easily incorporate design changes without the cost of physical prototypes. However, CAD is hindered by its hardware displaying 3D objects as 2D representations, causing a loss of realism compared to a physical prototype. This paper seeks to observe if increasing the realism of interaction between subjects and virtual prototypes using virtual reality hardware will affect users ability to analyze the assembly model for errors. For this end, an experiment asked participants to perform a design review of assembly models and determine if they successfully form a cube without deformations or voids in four different environments. The environments ranged from low to high levels of immersion controlled through the use of two factors: movement of user’s point of view and assembly rotation. It is expected the highly immersive VR environment will allow for improved assembly reviews due to the increased realism of the virtual prototype.

Identifying the Effect of Reviewers’ Expertise on Design Review Using Virtual Reality and Desktop Interface

“…Therefore, it is not clear whether the improved identification of folding steps in DI (see Figure 4) is because of the CAD features or because of the higher experience of using this technology. Nevertheless, the findings of increased understanding in DI do not relate to previous results as de Casenave and Lugo (2017) did not find significant differences in terms of design understanding between VR and DI. Furthermore, the findings of correctly identified folding steps do not relate to consistently better spatial perception in VR (Horvat et al, 2019;Paes et al, 2017;Satter and Butler, 2015).…”

“…the Mental Rotation Test (MRT) (Peters et al, 1995)). However, previous research failed to identify its effect on the level of design understanding (de Casenave and Lugo, 2017). Previous studies showed that VR has great potential to support the design review process.…”

Spatial Perception of 3D CAD Model Dimensions and Affordances in Virtual Environments

“…Previous research studies have often measured the spatial ability of participants employing different surveys or tests prior to the experimental tasks. For example, de Casenave and Lugo [11] used the Spatial Cognition Survey, while Calderon-Hernandez et al [48] employed the Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Visualisation of Rotations. Participants' spatial ability was measured as an intrinsic-dynamic spatial skill of mental rotation in the conducted experiment.…”

“…Design understanding and needed level of underlying spatial abilities depend on information input provided by a visual representation of a design solution [6]. During product development, designers use various representations, such as 2D engineering drawings, 3D CAD models and mock-ups or physical prototypes to visually present a design solution [11], [12]. These visual representations can be mediated by various technologies, such as conventional 2D user interface (a monitor display, a keyboard, and a mouse) or 3D user interfaces (an immersive virtual reality; IVR).…”

“…The advent of a new generation of IVR technology in recent years prompted an enlarging number of the studies exploring its effect on design activities across architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) disciplines. Several recent examples within engineering design domain are provided by de Casenave and Lugo [11], Horvat et al [17], Wolfartsberger [18], Lukačević et al [19]. Nevertheless, design review activities and underlying design understanding aspects for which IVR technology may be beneficial over conventional user interfaces are yet to be clarified.…”