Conceptual Design: An Operational Prescription for a Computer Support System

A prescription for a computer based support system for conceptual design is presented. The necessary components needed are listed, and their implementation in a complete system is shown. Combining the components with the right balance among them is the key to a successful transition of today's conceptual design phase, using pencil and paper, to a computer based system. This work presents ConceptUdraft, a computer system built using this prescription. It allows the creative freedom of freehand 2D and 3D sketching the designer habitually relies on, assists that creative process and elevates it to a higher degree of visualization and interaction. The system developed may contribute to the quality of design and the speed with which conceptual design matures into a feasible new object.