Pen-tablet as a CAD interface alternative

Championed by major industry players, pen-tablet computing is an example of the trend towards ubiquitous computing and natural/intuitive human machine interfaces that offers engineers opportunities to change how they interact with and how useful computers can be for performing engineering tasks, in particular, design tasks. Recognising that engineers starting a new design reach first for pen and paper instead of CAD software, a broad survey on the state of the art relating to sketch driven design was done. This paper summarizes and analyses the survey's review of the roles new computer interaction devices can play in the initial stages of mechanical design where few applications exist to support the engineer. The paper starts by briefly reviewing the role of pen and paper in the design process and then discussing the potential of new interaction devices in mechanical CAD modelling, keeping most of the focus on the pen-tablet interface and the human machine interaction paradigms and modes that it makes possible. Context is provided using summaries of some of the survey findings and accompanied by comments regarding some areas worthy of future research. Comparisons between these new interaction paradigms and current windows, icons, menus and pointers-based (WIMP-based) CAD operation are also included.