Content area

Abstract

Effective communication of mechanical designs through technical drawings requires geometric accuracy, efficiency, and an understanding of human perception and cognition. Although advances in computer-aided design (CAD) software have improved drawing precision and automation, current tools often overlook the spatial reasoning processes that users employ to interpret these representations. This study seeks to improve the accuracy and efficiency of human-computer interaction in CAD environments by examining how individuals perceive and interpret three-dimensional mechanical components within the context of technical drawings. A key focus is the identification of canonical and optimal views that align with intuitive human understanding. Through a series of four experimental studies, this dissertation breaks down the optimal view selection into four core dimensions (steps): (1) orientation, (2) rotation, (3) visibility of features, and (4) display/viewing format. The findings demonstrate that users consistently prefer views with upright vertical alignment, a high number of visible effective edges, and minimal reliance on unimaginable or occluded features. These preferences are grounded in psychological theories of spatial cognition, human factors research, and established engineering design standards. In contrast to AI-driven methods that rely solely on pattern recognition to infer optimal views, this study introduces a human-centered framework that can be integrated into intelligent CAD systems. By bridging engineering design with perceptual science, this research supports the development of smart CAD tools that enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and usability of technical communication in mechanical design.

Details

1010268
Title
Exploring Human Perception and Cognition in Expressing and Understanding Mechanical Designs
Number of pages
217
Publication year
2025
Degree date
2025
School code
0465
Source
DAI-B 87/6(E), Dissertation Abstracts International
ISBN
9798270224141
Advisor
Committee member
Fuentes Aznar, Alfonso; Cormier, Denis; Peng, Chao
University/institution
Rochester Institute of Technology
Department
Mechanical Engineering
University location
United States -- New York
Degree
Ph.D.
Source type
Dissertation or Thesis
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation/Thesis
Dissertation/thesis number
32281815
ProQuest document ID
3283678296
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/exploring-human-perception-cognition-expressing/docview/3283678296/se-2?accountid=208611
Copyright
Database copyright ProQuest LLC; ProQuest does not claim copyright in the individual underlying works.
Database
ProQuest One Academic