MULTIMEDIA PROCESSING IN CONCURRENT ENGINEERING

Many types of information that traditionally were considered to be ana log, such as images and sound, are now processed and utilized in digit al form. These developments require the integration of storage, commun ication, analysis, and presentation mechanisms for diverse types of da ta, including still images, graphics, audio, video, and text. Scientif ic visualization enables engineers and scientists to examine large amo unts of data efficiently and with a greater degree of comprehension. I n the recent years, visualization has become an important component of the scientific discovery process. Concurrent engineering refers to th e methodology used by a team for simultaneously designing the entire l ife cycle of a product from product specification and design, through manufacturing and assembly, to shipping and disposal. This paper attem pts to provide a perspective of concurrent engineering and where multi media systems in conjunction with scientific visualization can assist in the process of product life cycle.