Freeform modeling method and system

A computer system operation method for use with a CAD system in modeling objects, the method comprising:

• displaying a representation of an object;
• receiving input from a user specifying the attachment of graphic tools to said object, said graphic tools each representing a command function for modifying the geometry of the object;
• displaying said graphic tools attached to said representation of said object, wherein each of said graphic tools is concurrently active, so that modification of any of said graphic tools by the user will cause its associated command function to modify the geometry of the object;
• receiving input from a user specifying that a user interface, comprising commands for modifying the geometry of said object, be saved;
• and
• saving said user interface as it exists at the time said saving input is received.

A computer system operation method for use with a CAD system in modeling objects, the method comprising:

• displaying a representation of an object;
• receiving input from a user specifying the attachment of at least two graphic tools to said object, said graphic tools each representing a command function for modifying the geometry of the object;
• displaying said graphic tools attached to said representation of said object, wherein each of said graphic tools is concurrently active, so that modification of any of said graphic tools by the user will cause its associated command function to modify the geometry of the object;
• and
• modifying the display of said one or more graphic tools whenever the object to which it is attached is modified.

A CAD/CAM apparatus comprising:

• an input device;
• a central processing unit;
• and
• a display device;
• wherein the central processing unit runs an application program comprising code for:
• displaying a representation of an object;
• receiving user input specifying the placement on said object of at least two different graphical tools representing command functions for modifying the geometry of the object;
• displaying said graphical tools in response to said input;
• receiving input from a user modifying one of said graphical tools;
• and modifying the geometry of said object in accordance with the command function associated with the graphical tool, wherein each of said graphical tools is concurrently active on said geometry.

A CAD/CAM apparatus comprising:

• an input device;
• a central processing unit;
• and
• a display device;
• wherein the central processing unit runs an application program comprising code for:
• displaying a representation of an object;
• receiving user input specifying the placement of at least two graphical tools representing a command function for modifying the geometry of the object, on a portion of said object;
• displaying said graphical tools in response to said input;
• receiving input from a user modifying one of said graphical tools;
• and modifying said portion of the geometry of said object in accordance with the command function associated with the graphical tool, wherein each of said graphical tools is concurrently active on said portion of said geometry.

Computer executable code stored on a computer readable medium, the code comprising means for causing a computer to take steps comprising:

• displaying a representation of an object;
• receiving input from a user specifying the attachment of at least two graphic tools to a portion of said object, said graphic tools each representing a command function for modifying the geometry of the object;
• and
• displaying said graphic tools attached to said portion of said object, wherein each of said graphic tools is concurrently active, so that modification of any of said graphic tools by the user will cause its associated command function to modify said portion of the geometry of the object.