Since their inception Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems have made significant progress. Nevertheless, they are still used primarily for design documentation rather than as active partners. Shape grammars provide a method for generative shape design but have hardly been used in mechanical engineering and have yet to find general application within CAD systems. This article outlines the theoretical background of shape grammars and shows current research on the integration of shape grammars and CAD at the Institute of Product Development. The approach, which is based on an open-source 3D modeling kernel and CAD system, is illustrated by implemented examples.     «

Since their inception Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems have made significant progress. Nevertheless, they are still used primarily for design documentation rather than as active partners. Shape grammars provide a method for generative shape design but have hardly been used in mechanical engineering and have yet to find general application within CAD systems. This article outlines the theoretical background of shape grammars and shows current research on the integration of shape grammars and C...     »