Augmented Reality Based Re-formable Mock-Up for Design Evaluation

Rapid prototyping allows for evaluation of design product in a short period of time. Designers or CEOs may perceive the size and appearance of the product by touching the automatically constructed physical objects produced through rapid prototyping. However, it is usually impossible to change its color, texture, and user interface. In this paper, we introduce 'Augmented Reality based Re-formable Mock-up', which enables interactive changes of shapes of products as well as colors, textures, and user interfaces. The shapes of the physical objects are re-formable by assembling different parts to the main body of the mock-up. Augmented Reality technologies were used to alter the appearance of the mock-up by rendering the 3D models, colors, and interfaces accordingly. The re-assembled mock-up was detected by comparing the edges of the mock-up with those of candidate 3D models. Skin detection was used in order to render the hand region on the top of rendered virtual object. Fingertip tracking algorithm was also implemented so that the users may manipulate the design product using their fingertips. Developed AR-based re-formable mock-up is expected to be used for realistic design evaluation and CEO presentations.