A Smart Pad Assisted Hybrid Sketch System for the Conceptual Design of Vehicles

Abstract

In this paper, a sketching system that uses a tablet computer and a large display connected to a 3D modeling server is proposed for the conceptual modeling stage of vehicles. The plane sketch interface can be conveniently used to set the volume and proportion of a vehicle in conceptual design, and the spatial sketch interface can be used for 3D model modification efficiently. Using a tablet computer, which can be easily carried and used to implement the plane input, the advantages of both sketch interfaces can be exploited. The modeling server connected to the large display shows complicated 3D models, traces, and spatial movement using sensors embedded in the tablet computer, and makes curve-based modeling and deformation possible by the use of the touch screen input. A system has been developed to maintain the plane sketch interface that is familiar to designers. The 3D spatial modeling is implemented using a method that involves selecting cross-planes of a 3D model by moving the tablet computer and applying it to the 3D model to modify the curves of the cross-plane shown on the tablet display.