HUMAN-FACTORS IN INTERACTIVE GRAPHICS (REPRINTED FROM COMP AIDED DESIGN, VOL 8, 1976)

Conventional wisdom has it that the range of analyses of which a compu ter-aided design system is capable is the primary factor in assessing its value in the design process. However, it is becoming clear that fa r more attention needs to be given to what are termed the human factor s of a CAD system. For example, one of the principal objectives of suc h a system is to enhance the designer's insight into the product he/sh e is designing. Considerable potential for so doing is offered by the computer, but the application of this potential is often conspicuous b y its absence. Similarly, the designer should be able to engage in a m an-computer dialogue that is so designed that he/she is essentially un aware of the computer or the medium in which the dialogue is conducted . Again, this criterion is rarely met. The extent to which these two a nd other human factors requirements are satisfied will depend not only upon the skill of the CAD system designer, but also on the medium in which the man-computer interaction takes place. Since interactive comp uter graphics offers considerable potential in this respect, it is use ful to be aware of the considerations and techniques that are pertinen t to this medium. It is this potential which is demonstrated briefly i n the paper, mainly by means of illustrative examples. No excuse is of fered for selecting most of them from a CAD system With which the auth or is familiar, namely the MINNIE system for circuit design.