CADIAL
Bring out CAD commands into the physical world
Timeframe: 8wk (w/ 2yr break)
wk 1-2: user research
wk 3-4: insight building + ideation
wk 5-7: sketch + mockup + user test
wk 8: CAD (Rhino) + visualisation (Keyshot)#clay modelling
#foam modelling #prototype testing #CMF
This is a concept design to make CAD more comfortable.
Every research participant (design studio director, student, engineer) expressed poor user experiences with CAD due to the command tools.
4 Specific Problems
1. Small icons strain eyes
2. Users forget command names
3. Misclicking happens too often
4. Re-designing current CAD software is inefficient
Ideation
2021, I explored a dial mouse concept. The dial would have displayed the commands. After dozens of sketches and more than 9 clay mockups, the idea won an award. However, further studies proved me wrong.
2 years + an award later
How does this Concept Work?
1. Click a tool icon
2. Set of tools in the category appear
3. Use the dial to scroll through the tools
4. Use the trackpad to zoom + pan + rotate
The dial and the trackpad offer physical control of a CAD program.These liberate users from physical strain which comes from constantly holding and clicking multiple keys.
Logical Breakdown of Commands
Offer easy tool searching in both parametric and direct modelling program. Customization is available for the users who wants hotkeys to a certain command.
+ No more combinations like shift + ctrl + RMB
01. Finger Swipe to Rotate
02. Finger Swipe to Pan
03. Pinch to Zoom
