FROM PHYSICAL MODEL TO DIGITAL MODEL
Throughout the design and simulation phase, both physical model and digital model may have some limitations in terms of geometrical manipulation. Combining physical model with digitized model can increase the efficiency on three dimensional experimentation with the forms. Thus, the virtual reality experimentations, which are elaborated earlier, were based on constructing a physical model and digitizing it afterwards.
“ For some designers, such as Frank Gehry, the direct tactility of a physical model is a much preferred way of designing than a 'flat' digital manipulation of surfaces on a computer screen. The process of translation from the physical to the digital realm is the inverse of computer-aided manufacturing. From a physical model a digital representation of of its geometry can be created using various three dimensional scanning techniques in a process often referred to as 'reverse engineering'. ” (Kolarevic, 2003: 31) .