Project description
3D drawing reconstruction technology in Computer-Aided Design
Drawing is a crucial tool for product design, but computers struggle to interpret 2D drawings without assistance. Designers typically resort to creating separate 3D models, a process that can be time-consuming and impedes swift iterations between ideation and prototyping. The ERC Starting Grant D3 aimed to bridge this gap by pioneering the first algorithm capable of automatically converting 2D drawings into 3D models. Building upon this foundation, the ERC-funded DLift project will showcase how 3D drawing reconstruction technology can streamline the computer-aided design (CAD) workflow. The project will refine the ERC Starting Grant D3 algorithm and integrate it seamlessly within leading CAD software through three iterative stages: feature development, user testing, and implementation.
Objective
Building on the outcome of the ERC Starting Grant D3 (ERC-2016-STG 714221), the objective of DLift is to demonstrate how our technology for reconstructing drawings in 3D can streamline the Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) workflow, and to take the first steps in industrializing this technology.
Drawing is a fundamental tool of product design. However, while 2D drawings are easily understood by humans, they are currently not interpretable by computers. To confront their ideas with physical reality, designers have to separately create 3D models that form the necessary input for digital engineering tools. Skilled 3D modelers often need several hours to convert a drawing into a 3D model, at an hourly rate of 50 euros on average, making 3D modeling a major bottleneck that hinders rapid iterations between ideation and prototyping.
The ERC Starting Grant D3 aimed at bridging design exploration and design engineering by offering the first algorithm capable of automatically lifting 2D design drawings to 3D. The objective of DLift is to optimize our algorithm to integrate it within leading CAD software. This objective will be achieved through three iterative steps:
1. Feature development. Based on preliminary discussions with CAD users and software editors, we have identified a set of key features to unleash the potential of our technology.
2. User testing. We will hire professional designers and 3D modelers to stress test our tool, first to make it robust to the diversity and complexity of real-world design drawings, but also to assemble a portfolio of artworks that will illustrate diverse ways in which our technology can be used in practice.
3. Transfer. Within each iteration of feature development and testing, we will work hand-in-hand with software companies interested in our technology to assess how it addresses their specific needs. We aim at licensing our technology to one or several of these companies such that it can be integrated in their own solutions.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept GrantsHost institution
78153 Le Chesnay Cedex
France