3D interactive augmented reality in early stages of product design

Augmented Reality (AR) allow the combination of virtual and physical models, making use of visualised objects that are displayed into the field of view of the user overlaying the physical prototype. Though being inspired by the application of VR technology, AR lacks of similar shortcomings, e.g. missing of 3D interactive modelling functionalities. Hence, AR is mainly found in the late stages of product development (e.g. maintenance, training) rather than in early stages of product design where objects have to be interactively generated or modified. New approaches in 3D interaction methods for generic 3D tasks, allow the application of AR technology in early stages of product design. This paper shows how physical and virtual prototypes could be beneficially combined in a highly 3D-interactive and generic environment, thus contributing to an improvement of this stage. It furthermore highlights first applications, e.g. 3D virtual tape drawing with a two-handed 3D interactive technique in an AR set-up, in this area.