System and method for perception-based selection of features in a geometric model of a part

A method for perception-based selection of features in a geometric model of a part comprising:

• through operation of at least one processor:
• causing a display device to display a graphical representation of a geometric model of a part having a plurality of features that are individually selectable in a work space of a graphical user interface (GUI);
• receiving a selection input through an input device representative of a command to select one or more features of the geometric model, which selection input specifies an input location on the workspace that coincides with a location on the geometric model;
• determining at least one displayed characteristic capable of being visually perceived by a user that the geometric model or a portion thereof has with respect to the workspace;
• and
• carrying out a first selection from among either a coarser selection of the features or a finer selection of the features of the geometric model based on the input location and based on the determined at least one displayed characteristic of the geometric model or portion thereof, wherein the coarser selection includes a selection of more features of the geometric model than the finer selection, wherein the coarser selection includes the features of the finer selection, and
• comprising carrying out the coarser selection when the geometric model or portion thereof has a first displayed characteristic with respect to the workspace,
• comprising carrying out the finer selection when the geometric model or portion thereof has a second displayed characteristic with respect to the workspace,
• wherein the first and second displayed characteristics correspond to the geometric model or a portion thereof that coincides with the input location having respective first and second different positions in the workspace relative to a center and a perimeter of the workspace,
• further comprising, through operation of the at least one processor, determining whether a current displayed characteristic of the geometric model corresponds to either the first displayed characteristic or the second displayed characteristic based on a comparison of the current displayed characteristic of the geometric model or portion thereof to at least one predetermined threshold, and
• wherein the at least one predetermined threshold corresponds to a position threshold,
• wherein the first position corresponds to at least one of the geometric model, a portion thereof coincident with the input location, the input location or a combination thereof that extends adjacent the perimeter of the workspace and does not extend adjacent the center of the workspace, and
• wherein the second position corresponds to at least one of the geometric model, a portion thereof coincident with the input location, the input location or a combination thereof that extends adjacent the center of the workspace and does not extend adjacent the perimeter of the workspace.

A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with executable instructions that when executed, cause at least one processor to:

• cause a display device to display a graphical representation of a geometric model of a part having a plurality of features that are individually selectable in a work space of a graphical user interface (GUI);
• receive a selection input through an input device representative of a command to select one or more features of the geometric model, which wherein the selection input specifies an input location on the workspace that coincides with a location on the geometric model;
• determine at least one displayed characteristic capable of being visually perceived by a user that the geometric model or a portion thereof has with respect to the workspace;
• and
• carry out a first selection from among either a coarser selection of the features or a finer selection of the features of the geometric model based on the input location and based on the determined at least one displayed characteristic of the geometric model or portion thereof, wherein the coarser selection includes a selection of more features of the geometric model than the finer selection, wherein the coarser selection includes the features of the finer selection, and
• wherein the executable instructions, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
• carry out the coarser selection when the geometric model or portion thereof has a first displayed characteristic with respect to the workspace, and
• carry out the finer selection when the geometric model or portion thereof has a second displayed characteristic with respect to the workspace,
• wherein the first and second displayed characteristics correspond to the geometric model or a portion thereof that coincides with the input location having respective first and second different positions in the workspace relative to a center and a perimeter of the workspace,
• wherein the executable instructions, when executed, further cause the at least one processor to determine whether a current displayed characteristic of the geometric model corresponds to either the first displayed characteristic or the second displayed characteristic based on a comparison of the current displayed characteristic of the geometric model or portion thereof to at least one predetermined threshold, and
• wherein the at least one predetermined threshold corresponds to a position threshold,
• wherein the first position corresponds to at least one of the geometric model, a portion thereof coincident with the input location, the input location or a combination thereof that extends adjacent the perimeter of the workspace and does not extend adjacent the center of the workspace, and
• wherein the second position corresponds to at least one of the geometric model, a portion thereof coincident with the input location, the input location or a combination thereof that extends adjacent the center of the workspace and does not extend adjacent the perimeter of the workspace.