Free-Form Surface Design in a Virtual Reality Environment

Abstract

This paper presents an intuitive and easy-to-use Virtual Reality (VR)-based interface for free-form surface modeling. This work represents further enhancements to the VR-based parametric conceptual shape modeler (COVIRDS – COnceptual VIRtual Design System) currently being developed at the I-CARVE LAB at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The current research utilizes an intuitive voice and hand input interface to allow editing of NURBS based free-form surface models. The editing scheme allows the designer to utilize higher level ‘primitive’ surface features, in deforming the free-form shape. In addition, interactively specified constraints allow constrained re-location of these surface features giving the designer additional flexibility in designing relatively complex free-form models. Preliminary results based on a prototypical implementation show that the VR-based interface allows free-form models to be created and edited in a much more intuitive way than is possible in conventional CAD systems. Future work will focus on improving the modeling capabilities of the system by integration with a conventional solid/surface modeler.