Method and system for dynamically updating geometric models
AssigneeParametric Technology Corporation
InventorsVadim Kleyman, Emmanuel Gerlovin
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Abstract
A computer implemented method for dynamically updating a geometric model uses a data structure in which selected constituent elements of the model are associated to form a logical element with dynamically linked pointers to the selected constituent elements. One or more procedures reference the logical element as an input parameter. This indirect referencing of the constituent elements enables the procedure to accommodate fundamental changes to the selected constituent elements without requiring a designer to change the input parameter list of the procedure.
Claims15
A computer implemented method for creating, from a plurality of constituent elements, a geometric model representative of a physical object, said method comprising the steps of:
- associating a plurality of selected constituent elements and a corresponding plurality of pointers to each of said selected constituent elements, thereby defining a logical element,
- establishing a dynamic link between said logical element and said selected constituent elements through each of said corresponding pointers;
- passing said logical element as an input parameter to a procedure, said procedure having, as an output, said geometric model representative of said physical object, said output being responsive to a change in said selected constituent elements.
A computer readable medium having encoded thereon software for creating, from a plurality of constituent elements, a geometric model representative of a physical object, said software including instructions for executing the steps of:
- associating a plurality of selected constituent elements and a corresponding plurality of pointers to each of said selected constituent elements, thereby defining a logical element,
- establishing a dynamic link between said logical element and said selected constituent elements through each of said corresponding pointers;
- passing said logical element as an input parameter to a procedure, said procedure having, as an output, said geometric model representative of said physical object, said output being responsive to a change in said selected constituent elements.
A computer-readable data structure representative of a geometric model of a physical object, said data structure comprising:
- a plurality of constituent elements;
- a logical element including a plurality of selected constituent elements from said plurality of constituent elements;
- a corresponding plurality of pointers linking each of said selected constituent elements to said logical element;
- and
- dynamic linking means associated with each of said corresponding plurality of pointers, whereby a change in said selected constituent elements of said logical element results in a change in said geometric model.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.