Posted by Santiago Molina on March 24, 1999 at 20:25:50:
In Reply to: CA3DS - Computer Aided 3D Sketching posted by Simon Forestiero on March 23, 1999 at 06:40:27:
Here's a thought.
If your goal is to design some sort of system designers (architects), can relate to intuitively since the beggining of the design process; you should not try and imitate the usual pen/sketch process. Although this is familiar for most of us, it may not be the most appropiate interface mtaphor for a 3d design product. Many of the so called "user friendly" packages use this approach and often failt to attain their goals.
I would rather go with an interface adapted to its function, that has no analogy actually. I would not try and do another of the typical 2d/3d program where you just draw a plan and then extrude it.
Designt workshop might have some useful stuff you could use. Its interface may be weird at first, (no analogy) but very powerful once mastered. All with a minimal set of tools.
Just a thougth.
Good Luck
Santago Molina