An Adaptable Model for Distributed Collaborative Design

Abstract

AbstractCurrent engineering design process typically involves more than one designer. In many cases there will be a team of designers participating in the design, along with the corresponding clients. This paper introduces an adaptable collaborative module for Internet-enabled Distributed Computer- Aided Design (DCAD). This module was designed based on a platform-independent model that enables designers to communicate and collaborate each other across different operation systems and applications used in dispersed locations. The adaptable module abstracts basic collaborative functionalities for a group design project and is equipped with web-based project management packages. The main research issues include platform-independency and adaptable structure, distributed design management and coordination, design process representation, collaborative design communication and design visualization. The adaptable model makes the collaborative design plug-in and add-on can be developed flexibly and loaded to differ...