Method for validating features in a direct modeling paradigm
AssigneeAutodesk, Inc.
InventorsKevin Schneider, Rahul Vora, Jeffrey Thomas Strater, Shu-Chieh Yeh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A CAD system enables a designer to freely modify a model of a design without regenerating a history of the model, as in traditional parametric feature based modeling. The CAD system automatically determines whether the modifications to the model invalidate current features associated with the model and whether the modifications create new features that should be added to the model. Such a CAD system enables a designer to quickly edit designs and simultaneously preserve design intent without requiring the significant computational resources of historical based approaches that regenerate a geometry upon every edit made by a designer.
Claims18
A computer-implemented method for modifying a model generated by a computer-aided design (CAD) system, the method comprising:
- executing an edit operation to edit a graphical representation of the model, wherein the model comprises a plurality of data objects, wherein each data object represents a design feature, is defined by a plurality of geometric faces, and is associated with a different set of rules describing the positions of the geometric faces in relation to one another;
- identifying a first data object that includes a geometric face modified by the edit operation;
- determining that the plurality of geometric faces defining the first data object does not conform to the set of rules associated with the first data object;
- in response to determining that the plurality of geometric faces does not conform to the set of rules, freeing all the geometric faces defining the first data object, wherein freeing all the geometric faces comprises disassociating all the geometric faces from the first data object;
- determining, via a processor, that the modified geometric face can be combined with a free geometric face to form a new design feature;
- creating a second data object that corresponds to the new design feature;
- adding the second data object to the plurality of data objects comprising the model;
- and
- updating the plurality of data objects based on the second data object.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions for a computer-aided design (CAD) system that, when executed by a processing unit of a computer system, causes the processing unit to modify a model generated by the CAD system by performing the steps of:
- executing an edit operation to edit a graphical representation of the model, wherein the model comprises a plurality of data objects, wherein each data object represents a design feature, is defined by a plurality of geometric faces, and is associated with a different set of rules describing the positions of the geometric faces in relation to one another;
- identifying a first data object that includes a geometric face modified by the edit operation;
- determining that the plurality of geometric faces defining the first data object does not conform to the set of rules associated with the first data object;
- in response to determining that the plurality of geometric faces does not conform to the set of rules, freeing all the geometric faces defining the first data object, wherein freeing all the geometric faces comprises disassociating all the geometric faces from the first data object;
- determining that the modified geometric face can be combined with a free geometric face to form a new design feature;
- creating a second data object that corresponds to the new design feature;
- adding the second data object to the plurality of data objects comprising the model;
- and
- updating the plurality of data objects based on the second data object.
A computer system configured to modify a model generated by a computer-aided design (CAD) system, the computer system comprising:
- a display for displaying a graphical representation of the model, wherein the model comprises a plurality of data objects, wherein each data object represents a design feature, is defined by a plurality of geometric faces, and is associated with a different set of rules describing the positions of the geometric faces in relation to one another;
- an input device for enabling a user to edit the graphical representation of the model;
- and
- a processing unit programmed to perform the steps of:
- executing an edit operation corresponding to the user's edit,
- identifying a first data object including a geometric face that has been modified by the edit operation,
- determining that the plurality of geometric faces defining the first data object does not conform to the set of rules associated with the first data object,
- in response to determining that the plurality of geometric faces does not conform to the set of rules, freeing all the geometric faces defining the first data object, wherein freeing all the geometric faces comprises disassociating all the geometric faces from the first data object,
- determining that the modified geometric face can be combined with a free geometric face to form a new design feature,
- creating a second data object that corresponds to the new design feature,
- adding the second data object to the plurality of data objects comprising the model, and
- updating the plurality of data objects based on the second data object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.