An Overview of the VrM3D Virtual Design Program

Andrew Fischer
Graduate Student
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Virtual Reality Applications Center
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011

Judy M. Vance
Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Virtual Reality Applications Center
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-2160

2004 NSF Design, Service and Manufacturing Grantees and Research Conference, Dallas, Texas, January 5-8, 2004. CD-ROM.

Abstract
The structure of vrM3D, a design tool created to investigate the utility of interactive design in virtual reality with force feedback to the user, is presented. VrM3D uses mesh-free finite element analysis, two iterative stress approximation methods for reanalyzing the model, subdivision volume free-form deformation for shape changes and haptic feedback tied to stress analysis results for shape manipulation. Investigation continues into more advanced meshless methods and the effectiveness of haptics in providing additional design information to the user.