Multi-user cloud parametric feature-based 3D CAD system with compound documents

A method for executing three dimensional (3D) multi-user distributed parametric computer-aided design (CAD), the method comprising:

• executing server software on one or more servers, the server software:
• performing CAD geometry calculations including shape analysis and optimization of 3D graphics data,
• managing CAD editing workflow,
• managing user accounts and secure access,
• communicating with one or more client devices,
• managing documents and storage by grouping multiple files together into a compound document stored as a single file, the multiple files comprising data representations of CAD data including assemblies and parts, and separate non-CAD data files distinct from CAD data files, of a project encompassing the 3D CAD design,
• sharing the 3D CAD design between multiple users simultaneously accessible through multiple client devices and allowing simultaneous multi-user editing without locking or otherwise restricting user access to editing any aspects of the 3D CAD design, and
• notifying each client device currently accessing the 3D CAD design which users are editing the design;
• executing client software on the one or more client devices, the client software:
• rendering a user interface displaying 3D CAD graphics for design and project management,
• interacting with user input and output controls to manipulate a 3D CAD design,
• communicating with the one or more servers,
• displaying each of the multiple files stored in the single file compound document of the project as tabbed document panes within the user interface such that each of the multiple files has its own tab, and
• displaying graphical indications of which users are accessing the project, which specific tab each user is viewing, any feature list items actively being viewed by each user, and any feature list items actively being edited by each user;
• and
• wherein the 3D CAD design includes one or more parts and one or more assemblies consisting of connections and configurations of the one or more parts and sub-assemblies, and the client software further enables a user to manipulate the parts and assemblies of the 3D CAD design through ordered feature lists.

A method for executing three dimensional (3D) multi-user distributed parametric computer-aided design (CAD), the method comprising:

• a server computer system generating and transmitting to a client computer system a 3D CAD design;
• the server computer system storing components of the 3D CAD design, including one or more CAD data files including one or more parts and one or more assemblies, and one or more separate non-CAD data files distinct from the one or more CAD data files, as a single compound document file;
• the client computer system receiving the 3D CAD design and displaying the received 3D CAD design in a user interface having tabbed document panes such that each file stored in the single compound document file of the 3D CAD design has its own tab;
• the server computer system sharing the 3D CAD design between multiple users simultaneously accessible through multiple client computer systems and allowing simultaneous multi-user editing without locking or otherwise restricting user access to editing any aspects of the 3D CAD design;
• the server computer system notifying each client computer system accessing the 3D CAD design which users are editing the design;
• each client computer system displaying graphical indications within the user interface of which users are accessing the project, which specific tab each user is viewing, any feature list items actively being viewed by each user, and any feature list items actively being edited by each user;
• and
• wherein the 3D CAD design includes one or more parts and one or more assemblies consisting of connections and configurations of the one or more parts and sub-assemblies, and the client computer system further enables a user to manipulate the parts and assemblies of the 3D CAD design through ordered feature lists.