Automated generation of 3D models from 2D computer-aided design (CAD) drawings

A computer-readable medium for use in general computer, the computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by the general computer for performing a process for converting the (X,Y) coordinates of a point in a 2D drawing to its corresponding (X,Y,Z) coordinates in 3D space, the process comprising:

• (a) selecting a 2D view in a CAD drawing of an object;
• (b) receiving user-identified selections of three non-collinear control points in the 2D view in which the three non-collinear control points represent relative orientation, scale and position with respect to each other in both the 2D view and a 3D global physical view of the object, and wherein the CAD drawing comprises (X,Y) coordinates for locations of all points in the 2D view;
• (c) receiving user-input (X,Y,Z) coordinates of the three control points in the 3D global physical view corresponding to the (X,Y) coordinates of the three non-collinear control points in the 2D view;
• (d) computing a coordinate transformation matrix for the 2D view, the coordinate transformation matrix comprising an orientation and scale matrix (R) containing orientation and scale of the three non-collinear control points in the 2D view, and a position matrix (T) containing positions of the three non-collinear control points with respect to the 3D global physical view, based on the (X,Y) and user-input (X,Y,Z) coordinates of the three non-collinear control points;
• (e) automatically converting (X,Y) coordinates of remaining points in the 2D view into corresponding (X,Y,Z) coordinates of those remaining points in the 3D global physical view using the coordinate transformation matrix;
• and
• (f) generating, in the 3D global physical view, a 3D model of the object using the (X,Y,Z) coordinates of the three non-collinear control points and the remaining points in the 2D view.

A method for converting the (X,Y) coordinates of a point in a 2D drawing to its corresponding (X,Y,Z) coordinates in 3D space, the method comprising:

• (a) selecting a first 2D view in a CAD drawing of an object, wherein the CAD drawing comprises features of the object shown on different layers that include a hidden line layer, a struct line layer, a center line layer, and a text layer;
• (b) receiving user-identified selections of at least three first non-collinear control points in the first 2D view in which the control points represent relative orientation, scale and position with respect to each other in both the first 2D view and a 3D global physical view of the object, and wherein the CAD drawing comprises (X,Y) coordinates for locations of all points in the first 2D view;
• (c) receiving user-input (X,Y,Z) coordinates of the at least three first non-collinear control points in the 3D global physical view corresponding to the (X,Y) coordinates of the at least three first non-collinear control points in the first 2D view;
• (d) computing a first coordinate transformation matrix for the first 2D view, the first coordinate transformation matrix comprising an orientation and scale matrix (R) containing orientation and scale of the at least three first non-collinear control points in the first 2D view, and a position matrix (T) containing positions of the at least three first non-collinear control points with respect to the 3D global physical view, based on the (X,Y) and user-input (X,Y,Z) coordinates of the at least three first non-collinear control points;
• (e) automatically converting (X,Y) coordinates of remaining points in the first 2D view into corresponding (X,Y,Z) coordinates of those remaining points in the 3D global physical view using the first coordinate transformation matrix;
• (f) generating, in the 3D global physical view, a first 3D model of the object using the (X,Y,Z) coordinates of the first control points and the remaining points in the first 2D view;
• (g) repeating steps (a) through (f) for at least a second 2D view of the CAD drawing of the object using at least three corresponding second control points, and a corresponding second coordinate transformation matrix, to generate a corresponding second 3D model of the object;
• and
• (h) generating a final 3D model of the object in the 3D global physical view using the first and second 3D models.