Extending Shape Grammars with Descriptors

Abstract

One of the problems in using shape grammars is being able to describe succinctly and precisely the conditions necessary to perform the appropriate transformation in a drawing. This paper proposes new descriptors in shape grammars that can control rule selection and the matching conditions between a schema and a drawing. The framework for the descriptors is based on the decision making process when applying a rule. This process is divided into six phases: rule selection, drawing state, parameter requirements, transformation requirements, contextual requirements, and application method. The characteristic of each phase is described and some examples are presented.