Abstract
The appearance design is one of the critical factors in the successful marketing of the consumptive products used in our daily lives. The feature parameter-based modelling technique supplied by most CAD software systems is an efficient and valid means of constructing 3D geometric models and the apparent surfaces of products. For understanding the relations between the feature parameters and the form-image sensation of the appearances corresponding to the modelling and controlling feature parameters, taking domestic sewing machines as an example, the effects of feature parameters on the form-image sensation of products are investigated. At first, the 3D apparent surfaces of domestic sewing machines are modelled with 18 form feature parameters based on the parameter-based function provided by the UGs software. Then, seventy-two 3D apparent style samples are obtained by changing randomly the values of the form feature parameters. Through a questionnaire investigation of these samples corresponding to the five form-image evaluation values of word-pairs, the form-image aesthetic evaluation BPN system for domestic sewing machines is set up. With the aid of this BPN system, the form-image sensation curves going with the values of the form feature parameters are figured out. By selecting the suitable values of the feature parameters based on these curves, the customer's specific aesthetic requirements can be understood and met in the early design stage of product developments.
Notes
Ordinary means here not particularly good or impressive. Extraordinary means here very unusual or surprising because it would normally be very unlikely to happen or exist.
Harmonious means here parts, colours, etc. that are harmonic, look good, or work well together. Disharmonious means here parts, colours, etc. that are not harmonic and does not look good.
Bijou means here an artefact looks like small and exquisite. Clumsy means here an artefact looks like large and heavy.
Streamlined means here the shape of a body is changed and connected smoothly. Straightlined means here the surfaces of a body are changed sharply at the connecting regions.