A Three-stage Conceptual Design Process Using Virtual Environments

A simple conceptual design process that runs in a virtual environment is described. The design process consists of three stages. In each of the first two stages used to create, and after that, elaborate the model, techniques specifically suited to these tasks, are available. In the third stage, using 3D printing technology, a physical prototype is obtained from the digital model. In the creation phase, an initial model is sketched directly in the virtual environment, by drawing a network of curves, and by fitting in surfaces. In the elaboration phase, virtual clay modeling techniques are used, which resemble the way designers work on such materials in reality. The model is converted into a volume representation at the transition into the elaboration phase, thus there is no need for a hybrid representation.