Design Tools Integration in an Integrated Design Environment (1995)
article⁄Design Tools Integration in an Integrated Design Environment (1995)
abstract⁄The design problem has a multidisciplinary nature and the design itself evolves as solutions are attempted by the designer. To support interdisciplinary communication of design concepts and decisions, the integration of relevant CAAD tools is essential. Based upon a large set of design criteria and all corresponding knowledge, with the help of computer aided design tools, the result could be highly effective and novel. The integration of CAAD tools should be performed on the basis of generating better solutions by enabling designers to manipulate and appraise various solutions quickly and with a minimum of effort. The proposed system provides the foundations for a seamless and continuous working environment for architects and building engineers through a data modelling module, an integrated data management framework and various design tools. In the environment, standalone design tools can be pluggedin in order to access information stored in central databases. The suggested data modelling module helps integrated CAAD systems represent and exchange domain dependent design information at a semantic level, such as exchanging components and features of a building rather than graphical primitives. The suggested data management framework supports the straightforward mechanisms for controlling the data representation through the interconnected modules and design tools.
