MULTI-SITE CO-OPERATIVE 3D DESIGN SYSTEM FOR ARCHITECTURE

The ESPRIT project M3D has developed a co-operative working tool for architectural design teams. It allows architects and engineers to work together simultaneously on a common 3D design via a long distance communication network. They can integrate, visualise, modify and verify the design on-line from multiple locations. The system is supported by a shared database system.

The main features of the tool are:

  • CAD independent tool that allows visualisation of 3D geometry. This means that 3D geometry from different sources is automatically combined into one 3D virtual environment, allowing different members of the design team to contribute to the design at any time in the process;
  • a network-based distributed system supporting teams that are either working together real-time as well as individual members of the team that want to check information in the central database;
  • management tools to control the changes in the design and make them available to members in the design team;
  • video and audio conferencing to support the communication on 3D geometry.

    The communication protocol is IP. To ensure quality of service, ISDN is used at the moment but in the future, this could be any network that supports IP.

    The M3D system is the first attempt to provide an on-line higher level co-operative working tool for an architecture design team. Its ability to support cooperative work not only includes cooperative visualisation, but also, and more importantly, the on-line modification of CAD objects. This means that the team members can stay at their own location but participate in a virtual design conference remotely. They can visualise the design work and modify the design on line when necessary. The result and other project information can be stored in the central database for on-line and off-line access for the project team.

    The system includes the following elements:
    1) M3D Editor/Visualiser: for integrating and editing the design (both PC Windows and SGI Irix platform)
    2) M3D Design verifier,
    3) M3D Database,
    4) M3D Meta-conferencing.

    M3D integrates the CAD technology with the VR and high performance network technology to be a prototype multi-site co-operative 3D system for architecture design. The prototype system extends the major functions of the single user CAD architecture design tools to a networked co-operative system at multiple locations. Real-time interactive cooperative design with audio/video conferencing is realised in the system with other off-line functions. The current target geographic area to cover is Europe. It may be extended in the future.

    Contact Professor Yuhua Luo for more information.