abstract = "Interactive grammar based design systems (IGBDS) are
capable of generating large numbers of alternative
designs. Prior to the application of IGBDS, a set of
rules should be defined based on the theoretical
theories and practical experiences in designing the
objects, or by analysing the existing sets of objects.
However, due to the time constraints in developing
theoretical theories, gaining the practical skills of
experts is of qualitative in nature and stylistically
inconsistent designs to be analysed, it is difficult to
systematically derive a set of shape grammar rules in
generating designs which fulfils specific requirements.
To address this problem, this paper presents an IGBDS
enhanced by evolutionary computing to evolve a set of
grammar rules for product form design. In this
research, the forms of a product are analysed to derive
shape features in the form of shape grammar (SG) rules.
The rules are then encoded as the code scripts of a
genetic algorithm (GA) representation in order to
generate new shape grammar rules. The parameters in GA
representation are modified by genetic programming (GP)
which is regulated by control planning strategies named
GP-GA-SG. The GP-GA-SG control planning strategy first
defines ways on how the control variables in GP should
modify the variables in GA representation. The GP-GA-SG
control planning strategy then defines ways on how the
control variables in GA should modify the variables in
SG representation. The SG rules modified by the GA
variables define a new combination of shape features
for alternative designs. In this way, traditional shape
grammar is extended to an interactive context in which
generative and evolutionary computing methods are
combined. Both product component design as well as
product configuration are supported in this framework.
In this paper, we describe how this framework is
formulated and discuss its potentials in supporting
product design, with initial examples showing how the
system is intended to work",
notes = "INSPEC Accession Number: 9487202
Design Technol. Res. Centre, Hong Kong Polytech.
Univ.;",