Human-machine interface for design engineers

The major obstacle in the way of the wide industrial diffusion of computer-aided design systems is the present level of human-machine communication. Each CAD product has a different human interface, and each is bedevilled with limited input functions, low-level communication with the designer, and low-bandwidth date input methods. The paper summarises the aspects of designer - design system communication and the various action platforms the designers must work on. All these requirements are illustrated with the research results of number of authors. As a conclusion, a new type of designers' workbench is envisaged.