Steering automated design

Abstract

We describe the rationale and design of an advanced interface linking an engineering designer to a complex design facility whose novelty resides in its provision of both automated design and knowledge-based advisory systems. The creation of the system was hampered by a lack of knowledge as to how automated design and advisory systems would be used, a lack of experimental controls, and the high cost of implementation. Despite these factors, a powerful industrial design system was created which fluently integrates conventional interactive design with automated design. The approach adopted in the design of the constituent components of the interface is described, including comment on prototyping needs and evaluation. Finally, our methodology is critiqued, and useful outcomes identified.