Computer aided design (CAD) model connection propagation

A computer-implemented system for propagating object connections comprising

• (a) a computer having a memory;
• (b) a processor executing on the computer;
• and
• (c) the memory storing a set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
• (i) acquire a three-dimensional (3D) model comprising 3D object components;
• (ii) select two or more of the 3D object components as input elements;
• (iii) define a connection between the input elements;
• (iv) select the connection;
• (v) autonomously collect data from the selected connection, wherein the data is autonomously collected without any additional user input and the data comprises:
• (A) a number of the input elements;
• (B) a section type of the input elements;
• and
• (C) a relative geometrical position between the input elements;
• (vi) autonomously create a rule based on the data, wherein the rule identifies the number of input elements, the section type of the input elements, and the relative geometric position between the input elements;
• and
• (vii) propagating the connection to other 3D objects in the 3D model by:
• (A) autonomously search the 3D model based on the rule to identify one or more other instances of the input elements comprising other 3D object components that are consistent with the data;
• and
• (B) autonomously create, in the 3D model at the identified one or more other instances, the connection between the identified other 3D object components.