When novices fabricate, they start by choosing a workflow (e.g., laser cutting, 3D printing, etc.) and corresponding software from a narrow set they know. As they advance their design, another workflow might better suit their intent, but their models remain committed to the original workflow. This prohibits exploration, which fosters informed decision-making. In this paper, we investigate how CAD interfaces can guide exploration and comparison of workflows. Specifically, comparison can advance users' reasoning about design decisions. We developed a prototype interface, CAMeleon, which lets users compare fabrication workflows. Users load 3D models and preview outcomes from different workflows. We hypothesize that presenting alternative outcomes supports exploration and scaffolds informed decision-making. Upon workflow confirmation, CAMeleon allows users export both machine and human instructions for the chosen fabrication workflow. We interviewed seven fabrication educators to understand how such tools can be integrated into teaching and to demonstrate how we adjust our tool based on their insights. In user evaluation (N = 12), guided comparison helped participants consider a broader range of workflows, reflect on trade-offs, and experiment with new ways of planning.

翻译：当新手进行制造时，他们首先从已知的有限集合中选择一个工作流（例如激光切割、3D打印等）及相应软件。随着设计的推进，另一个工作流可能更符合其设计意图，但其模型仍受限于初始工作流的选择。这阻碍了设计探索，而探索恰恰能促进明智的决策。本文研究了CAD界面如何引导用户探索和比较不同的制造工作流。具体而言，比较能够促进用户对设计决策的推理。我们开发了一个原型界面CAMeleon，使用户能够比较制造工作流。用户可加载3D模型并预览不同工作流下的制造结果。我们假设，呈现替代性结果有助于支持探索并为明智决策提供支持框架。一旦确认工作流，CAMeleon允许用户导出所选制造工作流的机器指令与人工操作指南。我们访谈了七位制造教育工作者，以了解此类工具如何融入教学，并展示我们如何根据他们的见解调整工具。在用户评估（N = 12）中，引导式比较帮助参与者考虑了更广泛的工作流选择，反思了不同方案间的权衡，并尝试了新的规划方法。