Digital design manual

[I.] CAAD : Development
Program configuration : Input and output devices
Program surface : Work space ; Menu bar ; Tool palette ; Information palette ; Dialogue window ; Context menu
Organization : Drawing management ; Coordinate systems ; Dimensions ; 2D-planning methodology ; 2¹/₂-planning methodology ; 3D-planning methodology ; Planning across scale
Navigation : Zoom, magnifying tool ; Pan ; Standard views
Tools : Create objects ; Edit objects ; Architecture-specific objects; Symbols
Design aids : Grid ; Snap Functions ; Elements related to technical drawing ; Dimensioning ; Hatches, fills ; Text
Data exchange : File formats and program interfaces ; Tender, contract, billing
Creating a drawing : Plan layout ; Publishing
[II.] 3D-modelling : Developing a spatial representation
Projection methods : Parallel projections ; Perspective projections
Three-dimensional design methodology : Physical versus digital model ; Qualities of 3D-models ; Representation of 3D-models
Creating 3D-models : Regular solids ; Classic surface types ; Free-form surfaces
Editing 3D-models : Deformation ; Boolean operations ; Surface overlaps ; Surface development
[III.] Visualisation : Development : History of architecture visualisation ; Functionality of visualisation ; Renderings
Visualisation or architecture and interior design : Expert-layman communication ; Decision support ; Simulation of material and light properties ; Diagrammatic representation
Scene composition
Camera : Perspective and image section ; Viewing angle ; Size of image section ; Depth of field
Material : Colour ; Transparency ; Reflection ; Highlights ; Texturing ; Relief ; Displacement ; Alpha-channel
Light : Lighting and shading functions ; Light sources ; Light and shade ; Modelling with light
Rendering : Vector, pixel, anti-aliasing ; Ray-tracing ; Global illumination ; Shading ; Image file formats ; Multi-pass rendering
[IV.] Animation : Development : Representing movement in drawings ; Film technology ; Animated cartoon ; Computer animation
Architecture animation : Spatial perception, movement and animation ; Architecture animation as presentation medium ; Architecture animation as design medium ; Real-time visualisation
Animation methods : Frame by frame animation ; Key frame animation ; 2D-animation ; 3D-animation
Basic principles of animation : Frame rate (play-back speed) ; Duration ; Interpolation ; Classes of visual perception of movement ; Camera animation ; Object animation
Creating an animation : Preparation ; Collection of material ; Post-production ; Architecture-related compositing
Output : Rendering ; Picture format ; Video resolution ; Video format, container format
[V.] Image editing : Development ; Photography ; Printing technology ; Computer graphics
Image editing in architecture and interior design : Optimising renderings ; Create textures ; Montages
Principles of image editing : Resolution ; Dimension ; Colour depth ; Colour mode
Schematic of digital reproduction
Input : Scanner ; Digital camera ; Visualisation program
Digital image editing : Adjust image size ; Optimise image ; Selection ; Image manipulation ; Montage ; Image composition
[VI.] Layout : Development : Creating artwork without the computer ; DTP, GUI and WYSIWYG ; System font ; Digital printing
Plan layout : Layout as communication medium ; Basic prerequisites ; Parts of a plan layout
Layout and typography ; Macro typography : Marginal conditions for layouts ; Page format ; Type area ; Design grid ; Number series ; Structuring of text and images ; Line length ; Line spacing ; Word spacing ; Column spacing
Micro typography : Type style ; Type classification ; Type family ; Type variations ; Type size ; Type accentuation ; Type combinations ; Text alignment
Output : PDF-format ; Development of PDF and PostScript ; Create a PDF
[VII.] Outlook: Building Information Modelling
Virtual reality
Digital fabrication
Mediatecture

Computer aided design is already well established in architectural studios. In architecture and interior design spatial concepts are increasingly computer generated, illustrated and presented. This manual introduces different digital tools and includes tutorials based on everyday practice, which will be helpful in the design and planning stages. Examples of the application of digital technology by UN Studio give this book an immediate practical relevance.