The Shape 3.0 phase is still maturing, and there
are several challenges open in the field that must
be resolved before we can move on to Shape 4.0.
I consider several essential for creating the conditions
necessary for a jump to that next level. The
first is the development of a principled approach
to storing knowledge, structure, and geometry
within the same computer model of 3D objects.
Second, we must develop unified digital models
that can serve the needs of the design, visualization,
and simulation. Third, we need to conceive
of novel geometry processing paradigms suited to
scale with the expected, and already evident, increase
of model sizes. Last but not least, the development
of truly innovative and natural modalities
to create 3D content, with modeling operators associated
with natural terms, will allow anyone
to create his or her own elephant-shaped teapot
simply by expressing its description using natural
human communications.