Abstract: The invention includes computer instructions that operate to receive a request to generate an identifier in a computer aided design (CAD) application. Additionally, the instructions operate to determine if an input corresponds to a predetermined shape for the identifier, the input being a single variable input. Then, the instructions operate to generate the identifier with the predetermined shape based at least in part on the input. As a result, an improved way of generating geometric shapes for identifiers is facilitated.

Abstract: An orthogonally projected image forming unit 1 forms an orthogonally projected image based on a photographed image. A direction specifying unit 2 enables the orthogonally projected image to be seen from a different viewpoint, and forms an orthogonally projected image seen from a different viewpoint. A feature extracting unit 3 extracts a feature from the orthogonally projected image. A symbol pasting unit 4 pastes a symbol to a drawing during plotting. A display unit 5 displays the formed orthogonally projected image, the orthogonally projected image formed by changing a viewpoint, the orthogonally projected image processed by the image feature extracting unit 3, and the symbol pasted by the symbol pasting unit 4, and so on. An I/O unit 6 inputs/outputs various image data or three-dimensional coordinate data from a three-dimensional coordinate input de-vice such as a survey instrument or the like to the other device.

Abstract: An educational device for aiding in the projection of views of an object. The device includes a first half-hexahedron composed of a bottom panel, a first vertical panel and a second vertical panel. The panels are perpendicular to one another and together define a corner space for accommodating an arbitrarily configured object supportable on the bottom panel. There is further provided a second half-hexahedron composed of a transparent top panel, a transparent third vertical panel and a transparent fourth vertical panel. The panels of the second half-hexahedron are perpendicular to one another and together define a corner space. The second half-hexahedron is removably positionable on the first half-hexahedron such that the first and the second half-hexahedrons form a complete hexahedron. Grid markings are provided on the three panels of the first half-hexahedron and on the three panels of the second half-hexahedron.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for teaching skills related to the preparation and interpretation of mechanical drawings, including a box with two opposing, hingedly-attached panels that open to form a pair of work surfaces, a set of cards depicting isometric views and orthographic projections, a set of cubes, a set of pieces for use in constructing isometric views and orthographic projections, a timer, and dice. The interior of the box may contain a plurality of compartments dimensioned for storing the components of the apparatus, a turntable and a slot for holding a card. The apparatus enables the user to practice a variety of drawing-related skills, including: using the pieces and cubes to construct two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations, respectively, of an object represented on a card; using the pieces to construct two-dimensional representations of a three-dimensional object constructed with the cubes; and preparing isometric views from orthographic projections and vice versa.

Abstract: A drawing material backing (1) is provided which serves to make technical and diagrammatic drawings and is provided on one side with an impressed orthogonal grid (2), which consists of defining pyramid-shaped embossed elevations (8) and has a grid line spacing (3) of 0.5 or 1 millimeter, so that the free-hand drawing of straight lines or of lines intersecting at right angles and with a selected spacing by means of a pencil, ballpoint pen or a paste-applying pen on a paper sheet applied to the backing will be facilitated. To improve the guidance of drawing implements having writing points or writing balls (9, 10) which differ greatly in diameter and to prevent an impression into the drawing paper, the side faces (5, 5a) of the grooves include a steeper angle (6) next to the bottom (4) of the groove and a flatter angle (7) in their upper portion so that the embossed elevations have the shape of pyramids (8) having angled sides.