Topological change in a constrained asymmetrical subdivision mesh

A computer system for modifying a finite element mesh representing a computer aided design (CAD) 3D model representing a real-world object, the computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory with computer code instructions stored thereon, the processor and the memory, with the computer code instructions being configured to cause the system to:
• implement, by a user, defining a symmetric constraint of a finite element mesh using a graphical user interface coupled to the processor, the finite element mesh representing a subject CAD 3D model including a shape of the subject CAD 3D model, the symmetric constraint comprising two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh to be modified symmetrically;
• automatically identify, by the processor, existing corresponding finite elements between the two asymmetric zones;
• implement the user performing, user-interactively through the graphical user interface, a topological manipulation to at least one finite element of the two asymmetric zones;
• and
• perform automatically by the processor a symmetrical topological manipulation on the identified existing finite element corresponding to the at least one finite element, such that the symmetrical manipulation results in the two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh being topologically modified symmetrically, thereby representing a symmetrical topological modification to the shape of the subject CAD 3D model.

A computer program product for modifying a finite element mesh representing a computer aided design (CAD) 3D model representing a real-world object, the computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium responsive to execution by a computing device that causes the computing device to perform operations comprising:

• implementing by a user, defining a symmetric constraint of a finite element mesh using a graphical user interface coupled to a processor, the finite element mesh representing a subject CAD 3D model including a shape of the subject CAD 3D model, the symmetric constraint comprising two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh to be modified symmetrically;
• automatically identifying, by the processor, existing corresponding finite elements between the two asymmetric zones;
• implementing the user performing, user-interactively through the graphical user interface, a topological manipulation to at least one finite element of the two asymmetric zones;
• and
• performing automatically by the processor a symmetrical topological manipulation on the identified existing finite element corresponding to the at least one finite element, such that the symmetrical manipulation results in the two asymmetric zones of the finite element mesh being topologically modified symmetrically, thereby representing a symmetrical topological modification to the shape of the subject CAD 3D model.