Export decomposition filter for a multi-user CAx environment

A system for component visualization, comprising:

• a database that stores a component design;
• and
• a synchronization module configured to communicate data corresponding to the component design to an environment when at least one feature of the component design meets at least one predetermined criterion, but is configured to communicate a representation of data corresponding to the at least one feature when the at least one predetermined criterion is not met, the environment corresponding to a user profile, the at least one feature corresponding to a group of feature types, and the representation having a representation geometry that is a different geometry than a feature geometry of the at least one feature.

A method for designing a component, comprising the steps of:

• a) displaying on an output device a component design in a first environment, the component design including at least one feature corresponding to a group of feature types;
• b) displaying on the output device the at least one feature in the first environment when at least one predetermined criterion is met but displaying a representation of the at least one feature when the at least one predetermined criterion is not met, the representation having a different geometry than the at least one feature.