Automated re-layout with dimensional associativity

A method for interfacing between a solid modeler system, which modeler describes objects in three-dimensional (3D) space and a two-dimensional (2D) documentation package, which package provides 2D representations of objects which are projections of features of said objects onto a viewing plane, said method comprising a sequence of the following steps:

• creating an original 3D analytical model of the object using the solid modeler;
• invoking a 2D layout process to generate one or more of said 2D representations which are projections of said 3D model onto said viewing plane, and for each such 2D representation, storing sufficient projection format information regarding such 2D representation to permit the 2D representation to be reproduced later;
• adding dimension data to said 2D representations and storing in memory said one or more dimensioned 2D representations and said projection format information;
• modifying said 3D model of the object, using the solid modeler to incorporate geometry changes in the object, thereby creating a modified 3D model;
• and
• invoking an automated re-layout process which interfaces with the solid modeler and said modified 3D model, and which recalls from memory said one or more dimensioned 3D representations and said projection format information and employs said projection format information to generate modified ones of said stored one or more 3D representations which embody any geometry changes resulting from said modifications of the 3D model, wherein said modified one or more 2D representations represent one or more projections of said modified 3D model onto said viewing plane in accordance with said projection format information, said modified 2D representations including those dimensions which are still valid after said geometry changes,
• whereby the user is not required to manually re-enter dimension data on said modified 2D representations which has not changed as a result of said geometry changes in said 3D model.

A method for automatically transferring dimensional data from a first two dimensional representation of a drawing object to a second two dimensional representation, comprising the steps of:

• storing in memory data defining said first two dimensional representation of said drawing object, wherein one or more sets of dimensional data are associated with corresponding geometry elements of said first two dimensional representation;
• creating said second two dimensional representation, said second representation having at least one geometry element identical to a corresponding geometry element of said representation;
• and
• automatically transferring to said geometry elements of said second representation which identical to said one or more corresponding elements of said first representation said one or more of said sets of dimensional data.