A MULTI-FEATURE REPRESENTATION MODEL FOR CONCURRENT CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

A multi-feature representation model is presented as a product mode! f or the initial design. In the conceptual desin, design ideas should be rapidly visualized and reviewed from various viewpoints on visual med ia. To satisfy this purpose, the multi-feature representation model is composed of multiple expressions of product features, a structural fo rm expression (a framework expression), an image expression, a curve e xpression and a surface expression. Each feature expression is prepare d to directly embody an aspect of the design ideas in an appropriate f ashion, and their associativity is kept while manipulating the model. By running these features of different types concurrently, designers c an proceed in the conceptual design work consistently, even in terms o f engineering and aesthetics.