Does anybody else think that better design could be achieved with a better interface? We design 3 dimesional objects with a 2 dindionsal tool, the mouse, which hasn’t changed since it’s creation. I think change needs to happen in a big way in the near future with computer aided design.
I want an interface that alows me to create with my hands in a virtual enviornment, much like how a sculptor would start with a block of marble or pile of clay and shape it to his desired form with multiple tools. Think of the complex shapes that would be possble if you could stretch and form a virtual medium that has no physical limitations! Obviously I’m not talking about using these tools to detail something for production, but mainly for conception, and also for creating enviornments.
There are two people that I know of that have attempted this. One is an interior design professor in Ohio that created a virtual design program that involved whereing goggle and glove interfaces and moving and stretching interior spaces with your hands.
The other and more promising is Steve Schkolne. He uses a stereoscopic display together with input devices. Check out his site and click on projects and then 3d interfaces. He has some movies showing how it works…
The concept is there, but it needs to be taken farther. I am interested in your opinions and other information on this concept.