A Computational Framework for Semantically Rich Design Problems Based on the Theory of Affordances and Examplar Technology (original) (raw)

In this paper we discuss the conceptual basis for an integrated design environment that includes computationally intensive activities (simulation, analysis, solid modeling), as well as less computationally intensive activities (problem definition, requirements modeling, rationale capture), etc. Moreover, geometric information and semantic information are linked in this environment, in a seamless framework that empowers the designer to create geometries, create semantic relationships, and trace and manipulate the connections between geometric entities and semantic relations of interest. Toward this goal, a computational environment that supports semantically rich design is described. In this paper we discuss the concept of affordance as a relational formalism to capture semantic information. We also discuss exemplar technology as an appropriate formalism to manipulate semantic information within a CAD environment. Current CAD systems do not allow for artifacts to be placed in context. Various contexts include the artifact's use by people, the artifact's relationship in the environment (especially with respect to sustainability issues), how the artifact is manufactured, and the artifact's life cycle issues such as maintenance, recycling, eventual disposal, etc. These various contexts for the artifact are semantically rich. A geometric description alone does not carry semantic information. In our framework, design exemplars implement affordances in the computational environment, thus providing a mechanism to tie concrete product information to contextual information thereby enabling the capture and manipulation of semantic information within the computational environment.