Exploratory Modeling with Collaborative Design Spaces

摘要

Enabling ordinary people to create high-quality 3D models is a long-standing problem in computer graphics. In this work; we draw from the literature on design and human cognition to better understand the design processes of novice and casual modelers; whose goals and motivations are often distinct from those of professional artists. The result is a method for creating exploratory modeling tools; which are appropriate for casual users who may lack rigidly-specified goals or operational knowledge of modeling techniques.rnOur method is based on parametric design spaces; which are often high dimensional and contain wide quality variations. Our system estimates the distribution of good models in a space by tracking the modeling activity of a distributed community of users. These estimates drive intuitive modeling tools; creating a self-reinforcing system that becomes easier to use as more people participate.rnWe present empirical evidence that the tools developed with our method allow rapid creation of complex; high-quality 3D models by users with no specialized modeling skills or experience. We report analyses of usage patterns garnered throughout the year-long deployment of one such tool; and demonstrate the generality of the method by applying it to several design spaces.