Automatic creation of models of overhead line structures

An electronic device, comprising:

• a processor;
• a display screen;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store rail network design software and a rail network model that includes a reference line, the rail network design software including:
• a template library editor configured to define a structure template that includes a set of points that represent joints of an overhead line structure and components that represent elements of the overhead line structure that extend between points, wherein the structure template includes constraints and cell mappings,
• a point matching process configured to match each key point of the reference line to a corresponding key point of the structure template and adjust coordinates of the corresponding key point of the structure template to coincide with the key point of the reference line,
• a coordinate transform process configured to update coordinates of one or more additional points of the structure template based on the adjusted coordinates of one or more key points of the structure template and one or more constraints of the structure template,
• a cell mapping process configured to map each component to a cell of the cell-based representation and each key point and additional point of the structure template to a property of a cell of the cell-based representation using the cell mappings of the structure template, and
• a display process configured to display the cell-based representation of the overhead line structure on the display screen.

A non-transitory electronic-device readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions when executed by one or more electronic devices operable to:

• define a structure template that includes a set of points that represent joints of an overhead line structure and components that represent elements of the overhead line structure that extend between points, wherein the structure template includes a feature definition of each point and component that includes constraints;
• identify a reference line in a rail network model for an overhead line structure, the reference line having one or more key points;
• match each key point of the reference line with a corresponding key point of the structure template and adjust coordinates of points of the structure template based on the match and one or more constraints of the structure template;
• and
• based on the coordinates of each point of the structure template, automatically generate a three dimensional (3D) model of the overhead line structure.