Method of generating an image and an apparatus for carrying out such a method

A method of generating an image of a feature of an object, comprising the steps of:

• providing model data representing a three-dimensional image of said object, said model data including feature classification data representing at least one feature of said object;
• storing a plurality of drawing rules for said at least one feature, each of said plurality of drawing rules corresponding to a two-dimensional representation of said at least one feature from one of a plurality of viewing directions, and each of said plurality of drawing rules for said at least one feature representing a different predetermined visual presentation of said at least one feature according to a different standard drawing convention;
• selecting one of said plurality of viewing directions for said object;
• selecting, in response to feature classification data and the selected viewing direction, one of said plurality of drawing rules for said at least one feature corresponding to a particular visual presentation of said at least one feature so as to display said at least one feature according to the standard drawing convention corresponding to the selected one of said plurality of drawing rules;
• generating a two-dimensional image of said at least one feature of said model data corresponding to said selected one of said plurality of viewing directions and said selected one of said plurality of drawing rules, whereby said at least one feature is shown with said particular visual presentation;
• selecting a part of said at least one feature of said object from said image;
• selecting, in response to the selected viewing direction, another of said plurality of drawing rules for said selected part of said at least one feature corresponding to another visual presentation of said at least one feature so as to display said at least one feature according to the standard drawing convention corresponding to the selected one of said plurality of drawing rules;
• and
• generating a further two-dimensional image of said at least one feature from said model data and said another of said plurality of drawing rules, whereby said at least one feature is shown in said two-dimensional image with said another visual presentation corresponding to said another of said drawing rules.

An apparatus for generating an image of a feature of an object, comprising:

• means for providing a model data representing a three-dimensional image of said object, said model data including feature classification data representing at least one feature of said object;
• means for storing a plurality of drawing rules for said at least one feature, each of said plurality of drawing rules corresponding to a two-dimensional representation of said at least one feature from one of a plurality of viewing directions, and each of said plurality of drawing rules for said at least one feature representing a different predetermined visual presentation of said at least one feature according to a different standard drawing convention;
• means for selecting one of said viewing directions for said object;
• means, responsive to feature classification data and the selected viewing direction, for selecting one of said drawing rules for said at least one feature corresponding to a particular visual presentation of said at least one feature so as to display said at least one feature according to the standard drawing convention corresponding to the selected one of said plurality of drawing rules;
• and
• means for generating a two-dimensional image of said at least one feature of said object from said model data and said selected one of said plurality of drawing rules.

An apparatus for generating an image of a feature of an object, comprising:

• means for providing a model data representing a three-dimensional image of said object, said model data including feature classification data representing at least one feature of said object;
• means for storing a plurality of drawing rules for said at least one feature, each of said plurality of drawing rules corresponding to a two-dimensional representation of said at least one feature from one of a plurality of viewing directions, and each of said plurality of drawing rules for said at least one feature representing a different predetermined visual presentation of said at least one feature according to a different standard drawing convention;
• means for selecting one of said plurality of viewing directions for said object and selecting one of said plurality of drawing rules, responsive to feature classification data and the selected viewing direction, for said at least one feature corresponding to a particular visual presentation of said at least one feature so as to display said at least one feature according to the standard drawing convention corresponding to the selected one of said plurality of drawing rules;
• generating means for generating a two-dimensional image of said at least one feature of said object from said model data and said selected one of said plurality of drawing rules corresponding to said selected one of said plurality of viewing directions;
• means for selecting a part of said at least one feature of said object from said two-dimensional image;
• and
• means for selecting, in response to the selected viewing directions, another one of said plurality of drawing rules for said at least one feature corresponding to another visual presentation of said at least one feature so as to display said at least one feature according to the standard drawing convention corresponding to the selected one of said plurality of drawing rules;
• wherein said generating means is arranged to generate a further two-dimensional image of said at least one feature from said model data and said selected another one of said plurality of drawing rules.

A system for generating a plurality of images of features of an object, comprising a plurality of input/output units for use independently by a plurality of users, at least one common storage unit, and communication means connecting said plurality of input/output units to said at least one common storage unit;

• wherein said at least one common storage unit comprises means for providing model data representing a three-dimensional image of said object, said model data including feature classification data representing at least one feature of said object;
• means for storing a plurality of drawing rules for said at least one feature, each of said plurality of drawing rules corresponding to a two-dimensional representation of said at least one feature from one of a plurality of viewing directions, and each of said plurality of drawing rules for said at least one feature representing a different predetermined visual presentation of said at least one feature according to a different standard drawing convention;
• and
• each of said plurality of input/output units comprise means for selecting one of said viewing directions for said object, means responsive to feature classification data and the selected viewing direction, for selecting of said drawing rules for said at least one feature corresponding to a particular visual presentation so as to display said at least one feature according to the standard drawing convention corresponding to the selected one of said plurality of drawing rules, and means for generating a two-dimensional image of said at least one feature of said object from said model data and said selected one of said plurality of drawing rules;
• whereby different two dimensional images of said feature of said object are displayable on said generating means of respective ones of said plurality of input/output units in dependence on said means for selecting one of said viewing directions and said means for selecting one of said drawing rules of said respective ones of said plurality of input/output units.