A distributed object framework for collaborative CAD

Internet technology enables a lot of possible developments for Computer-aided Design systems. Collaborative solid modelling among network-centric and spatially distributed teams is now becoming one of the key concept of current CAD technology. This paper describes an abstract architecture for collaborative modelling and concurrency control. The goal is to provide the ability for multiple distributed users to concurrently view and edit 3D models. The proposed framework relies on a distributed object environment: distinct modelling sessions are wrapped by objects which provide means for synchronization with other sessions. A coordinator object is introduced in order to manage concurrency control. A prototype version of the framework, which uses a commercial CAD package for solid modelling, has been implemented.