Abstract
This paper proposes a computerized method of industrial design aid by suggesting combinations of shape- and color- characteristics different from existing designs as hints for new design. First, feature indices to represent and quantify shape- and color- characteristics of industrial designs are mathematically defined. Then, the feature indices are calculated for an existing industrial design case obtained as 3-D CAD data or 3-D shape scanning data of real product. The calculated feature indices represent the design case in a feature index space. By collecting such feature index vectors for existing design cases and finding new points in the space which are as far from any of the existing vectors as possible, new combinations of shape- and color- characteristics different from existing designs should be obtained. The proposed method is implemented as a program using simulated annealing and applied to designs of "card stands".
