The development of a design tool

摘要

A wide range of computer-based design tools are now available to architects and engineers. The problems of integrating these different tools in design practice are highlighted. An approach to the future development of integrated and extendible software tools using the object oriented paradigm is described. The implications of adopting this approach are explored through the development of a prototype tool (DT 1) and an evaluation of this tool is given. An alternative strategy to improve the exchange of data between software tools using ISO STEP protocols is also described in the context of a wider European initiative, COMBINE.