Synchronous Collaboration in Multi-user CAD environments

Advances in cloud computing have enabled the Computer-aided design industry to develop fully-synchronous, collaborative CAD. Synchronous CAD is unique in that it allows multiple users to manipulate the same CAD model at the same time, and saves changes in real time—much like a “Google Docs” document. These new design environments engender real-time collaboration and are touted to be the future of CAD. This work aims to understand the effectiveness and limitations of such platforms, and study how they may affect design workflow and methods. To date, we have consolidated prior art, engaged with potential industry partners, and conducted a baseline pilot study. Our preliminary analysis identified coupling effects to be a challenge in synchronous collaboration tasks. We would like to further our investigation to understand the difficulties arising in the use of synchronous CAD. After an in-depth analysis, we would propose a design support that will mitigate some of the shortcomings of working in collaborative CAD environments.

Faculty Supervisor:

Alison Olechowski

Student:

Partner:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: