Semantic conflict reduction through automated feature reservation in multi-user computer-aided design

Commercial computer aided design (CAD) tools are single user, thus only allowing one user to contribute to a CAD model at a time. The NSF Center for e-Design, BYU site is developing multi-user plug-ins for commercial CAD systems to extend their functionality to allow multiple users to simultaneously contribute to a collaborative design model. One central issue in developing and working in a multi-user CAD system is handling conflicts that occur between users. Semantic conflicts occur when multiple users perform operations which violate the design intent of the model, adding waste to the overall design process. Previous work has shown how automated feature reservation avoids conflicts which lead to data inconsistency, but does not discuss how this helps reduce semantic conflicts. This paper will discuss the development of a mathematical model and the results of experiments which suggest that automated feature reservation reduces semantic conflicts in multi-user CAD modeling.