Design support method and apparatus

A design support method comprising:

• first generating, by using a computer, from data of a plurality of parts that are string-shaped or band-shaped parts formed by end surfaces and side surfaces, first data including control point candidate data for control point candidates within the end surfaces, end surface data defining the end surfaces and path candidate data for path candidates between the control point candidates, for each of the plurality of parts;
• second generating, by using the computer, second data of continuous shape paths representing continuous parts by searching the first data for parts having same control point candidate data and same end surface data;
• and
• third generating, by using the computer, third data including data of control points determined on end surface portion of the parts and data of paths between the control points for the continuous shape paths and a group of the continuous shape paths from the first data and the second data.

An apparatus comprising:

• a memory storing data of a plurality of parts that are string-shaped or band-shaped parts formed by end surfaces and side surfaces;
• and
• a processor configured to execute a procedure comprising:
• first generating, from data stored in the memory, first data including control point candidate data for control point candidates within the end surfaces, end surface data defining the end surfaces and path candidate data for path candidates between the control point candidates, for each of the plurality of parts;
• second generating second data of continuous shape paths representing continuous parts by searching the first data for parts having same control point candidate data and same end surface data;
• and
• third generating third data including data of control points determined on end surface portion of the parts and data of paths between the control points for the continuous shape paths and a group of the continuous shape paths from the first data and the second data.