Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Introducing a Real-Time Tangible User Interface to Convert Modular Multi-story Physical Models to Digital Format

  • Research
  • Published:
Nexus Network Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The significant role of physical modeling processes in the initial architectural design stage, in addition to the widespread adoption of computer-aided design (CAD) software for developing alternatives, emphasizes the necessity of platforms capable of generating feedbacks between physical and digital models. Previous research utilized complex additional hardware devices to achieve this purpose. However, the proposed platform, depending on the minimum accessible equipment, is applicable for general use. In this method, following the workspace configuration, the user must mark each cube with a central red point. After the arrangement of each floor, pressing the button embedded in the code results in capturing an image whose visible red spots would be identified by the Firefly plugin. Based on the points’ relative location, the digital model is generated. The validity of the platform has been demonstrated, and could directly serve architects with no prior knowledge of programming.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aish, Robert, and Peter Noakes. 1984. “Architecture without Numbers - CAAD Based on a 3D Modelling System.” Computer-Aided Design 16(6):321–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-4485(84)90116-7.

  • Akesson, D., and Caitlin Mueller. 2018. “Using 3D Direct Manipulation for Real-Time Structural Design Exploration.” Computer-Aided Design and Applications 15(1):1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/16864360.2017.1355087.

  • Al-Qattan, Emad, Philip Galanter, and Wei Yan. 2016. “Developing a Tangible User Interface for Parametric and BIM Applications Using Physical Computing Systems.” Ecaade 2016: Complexity & Simplicity, Vol 2 2:621–30.

  • Anderson, David, Jonathan S. Yedidia, James L. Frankel, Joe Marks, Aseem Agarwala, Paul Beardsley, Jessica Hodgins, Darren Leigh, Kathy Ryall, and Eddie Sullivan. 2000. “Tangible Interaction + Graphical Interpretation.” Pp. 393–402 in.

  • Aslan, Sema Alacam, and Guen Cagdas. 2008. “An Interface Proposal for Collaborative Architectural Design Process.” ECAADe 319–24.

  • Caetano, Inês, and António Leitão. 2016. “Using Processing with Architectural 3D Modelling.” 34th ECAADe Conference 1:405–12.

  • Debevec, Paul E., Camillo J. Taylor, and Jitendra Malik. 1996. “Modeling and Rendering Architecture from Photographs: A Hybrid Geometry- And Image-Based Approach.” Pp. 11–20 in Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, SIGGRAPH 1996.

  • Gulay, Emrecan, and Andres Lucero. 2019. “Integrated Workflows: Generating Feedback between Digital and Physical Realms.” in Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1145/3290605.3300290.

  • Huang, Chun Che, and Andrew Kusiak. 1998. “Modularity in Design of Products and Systems.” IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Part A:Systems and Humans. 28(1):66–77. https://doi.org/10.1109/3468.650323.

  • Jota, Ricardo, and Hrvoje Benko. 2011. “Constructing Virtual 3D Models with Physical Building Blocks.” Pp. 2173–78 in Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings.

  • Kitamura, Yoshifumi, Yuichi Itoh, and Fumio Kishino. 2001. “Real-Time 3D Interaction with Activecube.” Pp. 355–56 in Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings.

  • Kouider, Tahar. 2006. “Evolution or Revolution: Is Digital Conceptual Design the Way Forward for Architects?” Computing in Architecture / Re-Thinking the Discourse: The Second International Conference of the Arab Society for Computer Aided Architectural Design (ASCAAD 2006), Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 41–57.

  • Liebowitz, David, Antonio Criminisi, and Andrew Zisserman. 1999. “Creating Architectural Models from Images.” Computer Graphics Forum 18(3):39–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8659.00326.

  • Payne, Andrew. 2011. “A Five-Axis Robotic Motion Controller for Designers.” Pp. 162–69 in Integration Through Computation - Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture, ACADIA 2011.

  • Payne, Andrew O. 2013. “Interactive Prototyping.” An Introduction To Electronics Using Arduino, Grasshopper, and Firefly 51. https://issuu.com/pabloherrera/docs/firefly_users_guide.

  • Poustinchi, Ebrahim, Shengmian Wang, and Gregory Luhan. 2018. “No Keyboard, No Mouse: Hybrid Digital-Analog Hardware Design for Enhancing Design Ui and Ux.” CAADRIA 2018 - 23rd International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia: Learning, Prototyping and Adapting 1:535–44.

  • Ronagh, Ehsan; Mohammadjavad Mahdavinejad, Anoosha Kia. 2021. A New Paradigm in Generative Design Linking Parametric Architecture and Music to Form Finding. In: Abdelmohsen, S, El-Khouly, T, Mallasi, Z and Bennadji, A (eds.), Architecture in the Age of Disruptive Technologies: Transformations and Challenges [9th ASCAAD Conference Proceedings ISBN 978–1–907349–20–1] Cairo (Egypt) [Virtual Conference] 2–4 March 2021, pp. 227–240 http://papers.cumincad.org/cgi-bin/works/Show?ascaad2021_063.

  • Sanchez, Jose. 2016. “Combinatorial Design Non-Parametric Computational Design Strategies.” Acadia 44:44–53.

  • Sinha, Sudipta N., Drew Steedly, Richard Szeliski, Maneesh Agrawala, and Marc Pollefeys. 2008. “Interactive 3D Architectural Modeling from Unordered Photo Collections.” ACM Transactions on Graphics 27(5). https://doi.org/10.1145/1409060.1409112.

  • Son, Jinwon, Hoik Jang, and Young Choi. 2019. “Tangible Interface for Shape Modeling by Block Assembly of Wirelessly Connected Blocks.” Journal of Computational Design and Engineering 6(4):542–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcde.2019.04.006.

  • Song, Hyunyoung, Francois Guimbretiere, Chang Hu, and Hod Lipson. 2008. “ModelCraft: Capturing Freehand Annotations and Edits on Physical 3D Models.” Pp. 13–22 in UIST 2006: Proceedings of the 19th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology.

  • Wang, Qianping, Chang Li, Xinyuan Huang, and Mingxi Tang. 2002. “Tangible Interface: Integration of the Real and Virtual.” Pp. 408–12 in Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work in Design. Vol. 7.

  • Watanabe, Ryoichi, Yuichi Itoh, Masatsugu Asai, Yoshifumi Kitamura, Fumio Kishino, and Hideo Kikuchi. 2004. “The Soul of ActiveCube - Implementing a Flexible, Multimodal, Three-Dimensional Spatial Tangible Interface.” Pp. 173–80 in ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. Vol. 74.

  • Zargar, Seyed Hossein, Jaleh Sadeghi, Mona Hashemi, Narjes Motallebi, and Ali Andaji Garmaroodi. 2020. “Introducing a New Method to Convert a 2D Hand-Drawn Perspective to a 3D Digital Model.” Nexus Network Journal 22(2):291–307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-019-00457-0.

Download references

Acknowledgements

All images are by the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Architecture, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Atousa Momenaei, Saba Salehi Sheijani, Homa Hassanzade & Ali Andaji Garmaroodi

Authors
  1. Atousa Momenaei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Saba Salehi Sheijani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Homa Hassanzade
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ali Andaji Garmaroodi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Saba Salehi Sheijani.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Momenaei, A., Salehi Sheijani, S., Hassanzade, H. et al. Introducing a Real-Time Tangible User Interface to Convert Modular Multi-story Physical Models to Digital Format. Nexus Netw J 24, 809–823 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-021-00587-4

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-021-00587-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation