3D printers enable end-users to design and fabricate unique physical artifacts but maintain an increased entry barrier and friction. End users must design tangible artifacts through intangible media away from the main problem space (ex-situ) and transfer spatial requirements to an abstract software environment. To allow users to evaluate dimensions, balance, or fit early and in-situ, we developed BrickStARt, a design tool using tangible construction blocks paired with a mixed-reality headset. Users assemble a physical block model at the envisioned location of the fabricated artifact. Designs can be tested tangibly, refined, and digitally post-processed, remaining continuously in-situ. We implemented BrickStARt using a Magic Leap headset and present walkthroughs, highlighting novel interactions for 3D design. In a user study (n=16), first-time 3D modelers succeeded more often using BrickStARt than Tinkercad. Our results suggest that BrickStARt provides an accessible and explorative process while facilitating quick, tangible design iterations that allow users to detect physics-related issues (e.g., clearance) early on.

翻译：3D打印机使终端用户能够设计和制造独特的实体物品，但同时也带来了更高的入门门槛和操作摩擦。终端用户必须通过非实体媒介在主问题空间之外（离位）设计实体物品，并将空间需求转移到抽象的软件环境中。为了让用户能够早期且原位地评估尺寸、平衡性或适配性，我们开发了BrickStARt——一种结合实体积木与混合现实头戴设备的设计工具。用户在拟制造物品的预期位置组装物理积木模型，可实体化地测试设计、进行改进和数字后处理，全程保持原位操作。我们基于Magic Leap头戴设备实现了BrickStARt，并通过操作演示突出了3D设计中的新型交互方式。一项用户研究（n=16）表明，首次进行3D建模的用户使用BrickStARt的成功率高于Tinkercad。我们的研究结果指出，BrickStARt提供了一种易用且具有探索性的流程，同时支持快速、实体的设计迭代，使用户能够早期发现与物理相关的问题（例如间隙）。