Course Notes

Sketch-based interfaces offer a natural method of interaction with computer applications because they mimic traditional pencil and paper. The desire for this form of interaction has been around since the 1960s, but has only recently begun to be possible. Today, sketch-based interfaces are starting to be used in many different applications such as modeling, animation, user interface prototyping, music composition, and object oriented design. To many, these interfaces often seem “magical ” in nature. Thus is important for anyone interested in working with and developing sketch-based interfaces to have a firm understanding of the techniques and methodologies for creating them. In this course, the presenters will demystify the workings of sketch-based interfaces by exploring how they are developed and examining their internal components. We will discuss a variety of different sketch-based interface styles along the sketch-input continuum ranging from gestural command systems for application control to sophisticated sketch understanding systems that rely on techniques from pattern classification, 2D parsing, and machine learning. Attendees will receive a thorough understanding of what types of sketch-based interfaces exist and what tools and strategies are needed to develop their own. Topics will include: the sketch-input continuum sketch-based applications gestural command systems modeless gestural user interfaces gestures used in interactive computer graphics multi-domain sketch understanding sketching for mechanical design and CAD sketching freeform surfaces creating geometry from sketches mathematical sketchingSpeaker Biographies Joseph J. LaViola Jr. is an assistant professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Central Florida as well as an adjunc