Creating 3D Shapes Using Hand Gestures

A new design tool that can interpret hand gestures, enables designers at Purdue University, West Lafayette IN, to create and modify three-dimensional shapes using only their hands as a "natural user interface" instead of using a keyboard and mouse. The tool, called Shape-It-Up, uses specialized computer algorithms and a depth-sensing camera to observe and interpret hand gestures. The user creates shapes in a computer by interacting with a virtual workspace as the shape is displayed and manipulated on a monitor. The creations can then be produced using a 3D printer.