AirCreate: Exploring the Impact of Mixed Reality in Computer-Aided Design

Faculty: 
Christopher Le Dantec, Ph.D.
Students: 
Thanawit Prasongpongchai, Anusha Vasudeva, Yangxin Xue

Traditionally, 3D models of the designs are made using computer-aided design (CAD) software on 2D screens. This unintuitive mapping between controls on the 2D interface and associated actions in the 3D space often leads to high learning curves and inefficient workflows in 3D modeling applications. Leveraging human intuition of a 3D environment with the 3-dimensionality of MR interfaces could potentially bridge this gap. The value that could follow is reduced time to prototype physical products. For businesses, this could translate into lower cost, faster product development cycle, faster time-to-market, and higher product quality.

In this research project, we will explore the use of mixed-reality (MR) interface in 3D CAD modeling as described and present a design of a CAD modeling application in MR in an attempt to address the overarching research question of "How can we use mixed reality to make the computer-aided design and creation of 3D objects more efficient for engineers and product designers?"

 

Lab: 
Faculty: 
Christopher Le Dantec

The Participatory Publics Lab is a group of researchers concerned with community engagement and design. We are part of the Digital Media program in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication at Georgia Tech.

We explore the design of mobile and social media in the context of community development and activism. We do this through different modes of participation: in the design of these technologies; in the development of discourses about these technologies; in the use, adoption, and appropriation of these technologies.

We investigate forms of civic and community engagement through participatory design, design research, ethnographic research, and critical scholarship. Our research is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and as part of the Intel Science and Technology Center in Social Computing (ISTC-Social).