Abstract
Function to form information used in reasoning about mechanical engineering drawings based on experience in design was investigated. The verbal utterances of expert mechanical designers, quasi-experts (graduate students) and novices while reading 13 mechanical engineering line drawings were recorded and analyzed for function to form relationships. A discriminant analysis of descriptions of these drawings showed similarities and differences between the design features used by each group when reasoning about the drawings. The results of this analysis and their implications for the development of intelligent CAD systems are discussed.