Abstract

An interactive method for designing and detailing cabinets utilizes a computer for storing design constraints and standards in a database and for performing the tedious parts of cabinet placement, costing, and planning. The user is freed from performing these functions and is able to focus on the esthetic aspects of the cabinet design, including cabinet placement and appearance. The computer creates an initial cabinet placement based upon constraints provided by the user, so that the user may modify an existing custom design. The user views the layout of the entire room or parts thereof at each stage of the design process on a video display terminal in three dimension, elevation, or plan views, permitting the use of computer aided design techniques. The user may make custom modifications to cabinet designs by overriding the standards or creating new standards at any point, and the changes are immediately incorporated into all aspects of design and detailing. The database includes the design constraints of the cabinetmaker, so that the cabinets as designed are capable of construction, and bidding is based upon actual costs.