Designers work in open space in a room; their movements are recorded with motion capture devices. The pen strokes are then made into 3D digital files. These files are sent, in turn, to a rapid prototyping device that fabricates the object out of liquid plastic.
This is so futuristic it's almost out of place on a science fiction site - the only precursor I can think of for this idea is not sf but pure children's fantasy.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!)
is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for
the Invention Category that interests
you, the Glossary, the Invention
Timeline, or see what's New.
SpaceX Intros Extravehicular Activity Suit
'Provision had been made to meet the terrific cold which we knew would be encountered the moment we had passed beyond the atmosphere.'
Gaia - Why Stop With Just The Earth?
'But the stars are only atoms in larger space, and in that larger space the star-atoms could combine to form living matter, thinking matter, couldn't they?'
Microsoft VASA-1 Creates Personal Video From A Photo
'...to build up a video picture would require, say, ten million decisions every second. Mike, you're so fast I can't even think about it. But you aren't that fast.'