Easy creation of 3D digital models is important for many application areas, such as architecture, industrial and mechanical design, creation of simulations and training environments, animation, and entertainment. Most commercial 3D packages have very complex user interfaces and are targeted towards the final stages of design, which focuses on details, rather than on the early stages, where the important design decisions are made.

We present several new 3D design systems that afford both rapid creation of 3D scenes as well as easy manipulation of arbitrary composite objects. We then discuss how people collaborate to create digital models and present a new a new infrastructure to enhance the collaboration. Finally, we present an overview for several other research projects.