Knowledge Representation in Visual Design

Abstract—This paper deals with an approach to represent design knowledge and reasoning in computer systems supporting visual design. Both forms and layouts functionality of designed artifacts are visualized as design drawings with the use of a visual editor. Design knowledge about these drawings is formally represented in the framework of a computational ontology for design. This ontology allows the system to convert drawings into their internal representations. The defined ontological commitment transforms design knowledge encoded in the internal representations of drawings into logic formulas. The obtained logic language enables the system to reason about compatibility of designs with specified constraints. The presented approach is illustrated on the example of designing an indoor swimming pool. Keywords-design knowledge; CAD system; conceptual design; visual language; hypergrap