Systems and methods for using a single tool for the creation and modification of solids and surfaces

A computer system, comprising a processor, a display with a graphical user interface, and a memory for storing CAD models, for interactively modifying the underlying geometry of at least one CAD object using a single modification tool capable of modifying the at least one CAD object in multiple ways, the single modification tool predicting a user's intended modification, and performing the predicted modification without recording related history information indicating historical changes made to the at least one CAD object as it has been changed and modified over time, the system comprising:

• (a) using the underlying geometry of at least one CAD object to display it with a corresponding position and orientation within a three dimensional modeling space, wherein the at least one CAD object is a boundary representation CAD object and wherein the at least one CAD object is displayed within the graphical user interface of the display;
• (b) receiving from a user, using an input device, through the single modification tool, a selection of the at least one CAD object;
• (c) the single modification tool automatically predicting the user's intended type of three dimensional modification to the at least one CAD object based on the type of the at least one CAD object and the at least one CAD object's relationships with the geometry of at least one surrounding CAD object, wherein the single modification tool is capable of performing multiple types of three dimensional modifications and the predicted three dimensional modification is selected from the multiple types of modifications without explicit commands from the user directing the type of modification to be performed and the predicted three dimensional modification is selected by categorizing the selection of at least one CAD object and the at least one CAD object's relationships with the geometry of the at least one surrounding CAD object;
• (d) receiving, from the user, an amount of change for the predicted three dimensional modification to the at least one CAD object;
• (e) the single modification tool modifying the at least one CAD object in accordance with the predicted type of three dimensional modification and the amount of change, wherein the modified at least one CAD object is redisplayed in real-time for further interactive modification by the user;
• and
• (f) updating the underlying geometry of the at least one CAD object such that changes to the displayed at least one CAD object are reflected in the updated underlying geometry representation of the at least one CAD object stored within the memory of the computer system, and performing such updates without recording history information.