Abstract: In one embodiment, techniques are provided for converting data items of a source repository that maintains a CAD description according to a first storage format to data items of an output repository that maintains the CAD description according to a second storage format. A converter gathers data items of the source repository and compares current condition information for them with condition information as of a last successful conversion maintained by a synchronization information record separate from the source repository. The converter determines one or more new or changed data items in the source repository since the last successful conversion, converts new or changed data items to the second storage format of the output repository, and stores them in the output repository, while skipping any unchanged data items. The converter further updates the synchronization information record to include the current condition information for data items in the source repository.

Abstract: In one embodiment, augmented reality is simulated by augmenting a pre-generated, physical environment-aligned 3D reality mesh. A camera system captures digital images of a site. A backend processing system generates a 3D reality mesh of the site based on the digital images, assigns metadata to infrastructure elements in the 3D reality mesh, and stores the 3D reality mesh and metadata. At a subsequent time, a mobile device accesses the 3D reality mesh and assigned metadata. A positioning sensor determines a live position of the mobile device. An orientation sensor determines a live orientation of the mobile device. Based on the live position and live orientation, a view of the 3D reality mesh aligned to the physical environment is produced and displayed on a display device of the mobile device. That view is then augmented based on the assigned metadata.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an analysis application is used to optimize sensor placement by minimizing information entropy or maximizing total modal energy. These objectives are achieved by implementing a two-part optimization procedure, involving generating an evaluation database that stores an information matrix, and using the evaluation in conjunction with a genetic algorithm to produce an optimized sensor location set.

Abstract: An augmented reality application is proved that enhances on-site visualization and modeling using functional drawings (e.g., P&IDs). The augmented reality application may utilize a 3-D model as a bridge between symbols and lines in a functional drawing and objects (e.g., pieces of equipment) in the physical environment, to allow a user to rapidly locate a symbol or line in the functional drawing that represents a user-selected object (e.g., piece of equipment) in the physical environment or to rapidly locate an object (e.g., piece of equipment) in the physical environment that is represented by a user-selected symbol or line in the functional drawing. The augmented reality application may further allow a user to efficiently modify (e.g., add elements to) a 3-D model based on changes (e.g., additions) to a functional drawing.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a technique is provided for surface mesh clipping. A surface mesh file and clip objects are received, and a unique identifier of a clip object is added to each node of a spatial index of the surface mesh that intersects the respective clip object. For any currently visible nodes, clip geometries and a series of meshes that partition the node into clipped regions are computed and stored in a clip file separate from the surface mesh file. Any non-currently visible nodes are computed and the clip file updated in response to display of the respective node. A clipped surface mesh is rendered by assembling regions of the surface mesh that are not affected by clip objects and clipped regions from the clip file, and the rendered clipped surface mesh is displayed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, techniques are provided for converting a CAD description maintained in a first storage format (e.g., a file-based storage format) of a source repository to a second storage format (e.g., a relational database-based storage format) of an output repository. The techniques may, generate a single, coherent representation from spatially ambiguous “fragments” by generating an acyclic model graph for each graphical view, and then storing models of the acyclic model graph in the second storage format (e.g., the relational database-based storage format). The techniques may further produce a post-conversion CAD description that preserves human-readable names and information relationships related to levels by examining attachment specific copies of level structures (i.e. levels and attached levels) referenced from attachments, and generating from these categories and subcategories in the second storage format (e.g., the relational database-based storage format).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a relational database is structured so that elements and alternatives directly reference parameter values stored in a unitized data store. No intermediary tables are required between the elements, the alternatives, and the parameter values. Further, a level tracking mechanism is employed among alternatives that allows for efficient bulk-data retrieval, for example, via a single database query. In one type of operation, an element of a system model is accessed. A selected scenario is accessed that references a plurality of alternatives that exist among a larger plurality of alternatives. Parameter values are retrieved from the unitized data store based on a direct reference from the element and a referenced alternative of the selected scenario. The unitized data store includes values for the larger plurality of alternatives. The retrieved parameter values are used in executing the system model.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a view of the one or more elements that represent a generally linear unit of infrastructure is displayed in a GUI of the CAD application. The CAD application generates one or more horizontal geometry manipulators and one or more vertical geometry manipulators attached along the one or more elements. In response to user input moving a horizontal geometry manipulator to a new position in 3D space, the CAD application determines a horizontal position along the one or more elements, recreates 2D horizontal geometry of the one or more elements to be tangent to the horizontal position, recreates 2D vertical geometry to maintain elevation, repositions the one or more vertical geometry manipulators along the one or more elements, and updates the view of the one or more elements in 3D space.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, an analysis software package implements an improved damage detection technique to identify damaged elements of a structure. The software package accesses a model and receives measured responses resulting from physical testing of the structure under initial conditions and under damaged conditions. The analysis software package may search for a set of damaged elements, wherein the searching is based on an error function that evaluates goodness-of-fit between the model and the structure under damaged conditions based on a discrepancy between a modeled response difference and a measured response difference, wherein the modeled response difference is a difference between modeled responses determined from the model configured to model initial conditions and with selected damaged elements, and the measured response difference is a difference in measured responses determined from physical testing of the structure under the initial conditions and under the damaged conditions.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a technique is provided for model review using augmented reality. An augmented reality device obtains tiles from a remote computing device for an overview resolution, and augments the model at the overview resolution and an overview view size into a physical environment at a data location. The augmented reality device displays the model augmented into the physical environment to a user disposed at a view location. In response to input requesting a change to the new resolution, the augmented reality device obtains additional tiles from the remote computing device for the new resolution, augments the model at the new resolution and a new view size into the physical environment, and displays the model augmented into the physical environment to the user disposed at the view location. In response to input that requests navigation of the model, the augmented reality device changes at least one of the data location or the view location.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a technique is provided for reconstructing a coherent tiled mesh surface that preserves the 2.5D Delaunay property. A spatial index is built for 2.5D data, the spatial index including nodes that correspond to a plurality of tiles of the 2.5D data. A 2.5D Delaunay triangulation algorithm is applied to data of nodes of the spatial index to create a plurality of independent mesh surfaces that each correspond to a tile. The plurality of independent mesh surfaces are stitched together to form the coherent tiled mesh surface. After a coherent mesh surface for a level of detail (LOD) is created, it is determined whether a new level of detail (LOD) is required. If so, one or more independent mesh surfaces that have the new LOD are created and stitching is repeated. Finally, a coherent multi-resolution tiled mesh surface is output.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a technique is provided for reconstructing and analyzing a mesh surface based on a combination of 2.5D and 3D point data that involves building a hybrid spatial index whose nodes are labeled as containing 2.5D data or 3D data, and whose branching is adapted to such types of data. The hybrid spatial index is then used to reconstruct the mesh surface and analyze the mesh surface, taking advantage of more efficient algorithms adapted to specific types of data. The technique may allow for a hybrid spatial index that uses fewer nodes, and for use of 2.5D specific reconstruction and analysis algorithms for at least a part of the mesh surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, accurate onsite model visualization is provided by utilizing a user's location and orientation in the physical environment to control a view of a CAD model (and optional aligned point cloud), enabling the user to perceive the relationship between model data and locations in the physical environment. Instead of augmenting a view of the physical environment with virtual features, the user navigates within a virtual environment (consisting of the CAD model and optional point cloud) based on their movements in the physical environment. Based on such navigation, the user may determine when they have moved to a location in the physical environment that they would like to interact with (e.g., a location to mark), and interact with such location based on related model data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tool dynamically highlights (e.g., re-colors) portions (e.g., points) of a 3-D representation (e.g., point cloud) based on their location relative to a cursor controlled by the user. A virtual region (e.g., virtual cylinder) is associated with the location of the cursor, and is moved in response to cursor movements. As the user moves the cursor on the display screen, the virtual region is moved in 3-D space. The virtual region may have a user-selected size and a user-selected orientation in 3-D space. Portions (e.g., points) of the 3-D representation (e.g., point cloud) that fall within the virtual region are highlighted (e.g., re-colored). Portions of the representation outside of the virtual region may remain unchanged. As the virtual region is moved in 3-D space, the highlighted portions (e.g., points) are dynamically changed.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, an analysis application is used to optimize water quality sensor placement in a water distribution network by implementing a two-part optimization solution procedure, involving building an impact database, and determining an optimized water quality sensor location set using the impact database. The optimized sensor location set may indicate locations that maximize a length of pipes where water quality variations are detectable by at least one water quality sensor. Pipe wall reaction coefficients may be used as calibration parameters, with water quality indicated to be detectable at a possible sensor location when a change in its pipe wall reaction coefficients leads to a change in water quality at the possible sensor location that is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for using a fixed cursor input interface to interact with a model of a computer aided design (CAD) application on an electronic device having a touch screen display. A view of the model is displayed within a workspace of the CAD application on the touch screen display. A fixed cursor and a toolbar are also displayed on the touch screen display. In response to the touch input within the workspace, a pan or move may be performed within model space to change the view of the model, while the fixed cursor is maintained at a designated position (e.g., the center of the touch screen display). In response to input upon an interface element of the toolbar that represents an input type, an action is performed related to a position in model space superposed by the fixed cursor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for optimizing selection of hydrants for flow test in a water distribution system. An impact database is built that indicates whether a flow test at each hydrant in the water distribution system has an impact on each pipe of the water distribution system. When a user supplies a number of hydrants to be subject to flow test, a hydrant selection solver application may search for an optimized set of hydrants for flow test that includes the user-supplied number, the searching to include generating candidate sets of hydrants and evaluating the candidate sets of hydrants based on fitness values calculated using the impact database, each fitness value to evaluate performance of a candidate set of hydrants based on flow velocity or hydraulic gradient change in pipes.

Abstract: In example embodiments, techniques are provided for suppressing unwanted clashes between elements of a CAD project. A software application receives a user-defined script for a clash suppression rule that includes at least an abstraction-based query and control flow statements. The application executes the user-defined script for a given clash by mapping the abstraction-based query to a query of a relational database that maintains element data for the CAD project, returning element data from the relational database in response to the query, and evaluating the returned element data using the control flow statements to determine whether the given clash is an unwanted clash. The given clash is suppressed in response to determining the given clash is an unwanted clash.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a dynamic feature extraction tool receives a data set from a SHM system that includes a plurality of sensors affixed to a structure (e.g., a bridge, dam, building, etc.), the data set including at least one of ambient vibration data or earthquake vibration data. A solution method is selected from among, for example, time domain analysis, frequency domain decomposition or eigensystem realization analysis. The dynamic feature extraction tool guides a user to select at least one parameter value used in the selected solution method from a subset of determined-effective parameter values computed by the software tool. The dynamic feature extraction tool then automatically performs the selected solution method on the data set using the selected at least one parameter value to determine dynamic features (e.g., frequencies or modal shapes), and displays a graphical representation of the dynamic features in a UI.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a technique is provided for encoding trim geometry for application in a GPU. For a UV trim polygon associated with a surface, the UV trim polygon is recursive subdivided into a predetermined number of tiles to produce a set of tiles. Each tile of set of tiles is represented by a value in an array, where the value indicates whether the area of the UV trim polygon corresponding to the tile is entirely solid, is entirely void, or for a case where the tile includes both a solid portion and a void portion, provides an index into an associated linear trim array that stores a trim expression. The set of tiles, and the portions of the linear trim array pointed therefrom, are applied in the GPU to render a trimmed representation of the surface.