Final Report Summary - XSHAPE (Expressive Shape: Intuitive Creative and Optimization of 3D Geometry)
XShape investigates new approaches for creating digital and real shapes with the help of computers, considering characteristics of human perception, cognition, and established workflows in art and design.
The research is concerned with representations and algorithms that support the optimization of virtual and real shapes so that they possess and clearly convey desired features. This has lead to user interfaces for shape design based on features that humans understand and already use for communication. In particular, we have implemented prototypes that allow searching and modifying shapes with sketched curves. These curves can be sketched with a pen or the finger on touch sensitive surfaces.
The project also investigates techniques that optimize the geometry and surface properties of real shapes so that desired features stand out in likely viewing and illumination conditions. For example, we can generate shapes made of a single material that show arbitrary images; or we can make the appearance of shapes view dependent. We also have developed a prototype for enhancing a shape so that its features are easier to perceive. These approaches may sound counterintuitive, yet they are merely trying to replicate techniques used by artists for hundreds of years.
Together with colleagues from cognitive psychology we are investigating how humans look at real shapes. This should help us and others to improve techniques for interaction, display, and generation of shapes.
The research in XShape is primarily concerned with geometry, but relies on and contributes to results in perception, cognitive science, mathematics, and other disciplines. By means of cross-pollination it has led to fruitful insights across the boundaries of computer science. The resulting tools help making digital shapes a commodity, with effects on markets, industry, and society similar to what we have experienced for digital music or images.
The research is concerned with representations and algorithms that support the optimization of virtual and real shapes so that they possess and clearly convey desired features. This has lead to user interfaces for shape design based on features that humans understand and already use for communication. In particular, we have implemented prototypes that allow searching and modifying shapes with sketched curves. These curves can be sketched with a pen or the finger on touch sensitive surfaces.
The project also investigates techniques that optimize the geometry and surface properties of real shapes so that desired features stand out in likely viewing and illumination conditions. For example, we can generate shapes made of a single material that show arbitrary images; or we can make the appearance of shapes view dependent. We also have developed a prototype for enhancing a shape so that its features are easier to perceive. These approaches may sound counterintuitive, yet they are merely trying to replicate techniques used by artists for hundreds of years.
Together with colleagues from cognitive psychology we are investigating how humans look at real shapes. This should help us and others to improve techniques for interaction, display, and generation of shapes.
The research in XShape is primarily concerned with geometry, but relies on and contributes to results in perception, cognitive science, mathematics, and other disciplines. By means of cross-pollination it has led to fruitful insights across the boundaries of computer science. The resulting tools help making digital shapes a commodity, with effects on markets, industry, and society similar to what we have experienced for digital music or images.