Abstract: A network-based system and method for digitizing an object constructed from physical modular elements using a tangible interface for interacting with a software application. A plurality of modular tiles may be used in a virtual modeling system comprising a rigid substrate portion that is electrically insulating, and a microprocessor embedded in the substrate, which microprocessor is configured to relay information about the tile through the electrical contact. The connection point is shaped to mechanically couple with a corresponding connection point on an adjacent tile, and provide a signal to a base station that may detect various spatial relationships between tiles, which can then be visually modeled on a computing device.