Abstract: Techniques for gradually transitioning a user to a second navigation scheme while using a first navigation scheme in a 3D design application that generates and displays a 3D virtual environment. The design application initially implements the first navigation scheme and a set of function tools of the standard navigation scheme. The design application monitors for a set of patterns of navigation actions during use of the first-person navigation scheme, each pattern being performed more efficiently when using the standard navigation scheme. Upon detecting a pattern using the first-person navigation scheme, the design application may switch to the standard navigation scheme. Also, upon detecting selection of a function tool, the design application may switch to the standard navigation scheme during use of the function tool. When the function tool is closed, the design application may switch back to the first-person navigation scheme.

Abstract: An approach for using multiple menus with a graphical user interface is disclosed. A multiple menu comprises a menu panel with two or more selection regions, each of which is associated with a base menu. A user requests the menu panel without selecting a menu object displayed on a display unit, such as by right-clicking. The menu panel is displayed along with one base menu, and other base menus are displayed by the user moving the cursor to another selection region. The user selects a menu item from a base menu to cause the application to execute the function associated with the menu item. The selection regions of the menu panel do not include information describing the content of the associated base menus. By arranging the base menus around the menu panel, cursor movement is minimized to improve user efficiency in using the application.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a generative design application generates and evaluates automotive designs. In operation, the generative design application computes a first set of metric values based on a set of metrics associated with design goal(s) and a first set of parameter values for a parameterized automobile model. The generative design application then performs optimization operation(s) on the first set of parameter values based on the first set of metric values to generate a second set of parameter values. Subsequently, the generative design application generates at least one design based on the second set of parameter values that is more convergent with respect to at least one of the design goals than a previously generated design. Advantageously, less time and effort are required to generate and evaluate multiple designs and then optimize those designs relative to more manual prior art approaches.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a topology optimization application solves a topology optimization problem associated with designing a three-dimensional (“3D”) object. The topology optimization application coverts a first shape having a first resolution and representing the 3D object to a coarse shape having a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution. Subsequently, the topology optimization application computes coarse structural analysis data based on the coarse shape. The topology optimization application then uses a trained machine learning model to generate a second shape having the first resolution and representing the 3D object based on the first shape and the coarse structural analysis data. The trained machine learning model modifies a portion of a shape having the first resolution based on structural analysis data having the second resolution.

Abstract: A design application is configured to generate a latent space representation of a fleet of pre-existing vehicles. The design application encodes vehicle designs associated with the fleet of pre-existing vehicles into the latent space representation to generate a first latent space location. The first latent space location represents the characteristic style associated with the fleet of pre-existing vehicles. The design application encodes a sample design provided by a user into the latent space representation to produce a second latent space location. The design application then determines a distance between the first latent space location and the second latent space location. Based on the distance, the design application generates a style metric that indicates the aesthetic similarity between the sample design and the vehicle designs associated with the fleet of pre-existing vehicles. The design application can also generate new vehicle designs based on the latent space representation and the sample design.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design of physical structures using data format conversion (e.g., of output(s) from generative design processes) and user interface techniques that facilitate the production of 3D models of physical structures that are readily usable with 2.5-axis subtractive manufacturing, include: modifying smooth curves, which have been fit to contours representing discrete height layers of an object, to facilitate the 2.5-axis subtractive manufacturing; preparing an editable model of the object using a parametric feature history, which includes a sketch feature, to combine extruded versions of the smooth curves to form a 3D model of the object in a boundary representation format; reshaping a subset of the smooth curves responsive to user input with respect to the sketch feature; and replaying the parametric feature history to reconstruct the 3D model of the object, as changed by the user input.

Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to generate models. A generative shelled base is created as a hollow computer-aided design (CAD) design. A t-spline mid-surface shell is created from the generative shelled base, which is then used to create a shell mesh model. A t-spline solid body is created from the generative shelled base, which is used to create an internal support structure that is converted into a shell CAD geometry, which is used to create a support structure mid-surface shell. The support structure mid-surface shell is combined with the shell mesh model into a generative mid-surface mesh that is used in a computer-aided engineering (CAE) crash simulation. The generated shelled base is combined with the shell CAD geometry into a generative shelled solid that is utilized in an additive build simulation.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a position-based dynamics (PBD) framework provides realistic modeling and simulation for elastic rods. In particular, the twisting and bending physics of elastic rods is incorporated into the PBD framework. In operation, an elastic rod model generator represents the center line of an elastic rod as a polyline of points connected via edges. For each edge, the elastic rod model generator adds a ghost point to define the orientation of a material frame that encodes the twist of the edge. Subsequently, a PBD simulator solves for positions of both points and ghost points that, together, represent the evolving position and torsion of the elastic rod. Advantageously, the ghost points enable more realistic animation of deformable objects (e.g., curly hair) than conventional PBD frameworks. Further, unlike force based methods, elastic rod simulation in the PBD framework performs acceptably in environments where speed is critical.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system provide the ability to license a software application. A software application is used on a client computer. Usage information for the software application is acquired and is used to generate an original token that is encrypted. The encrypted token is forwarded to a server computer for licensing authentication and processing. The encrypted token is audited on the client computer by selecting and receiving the token from a licensing service, verifying the token, and displaying the result of the verifying.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to perform multiple actions based on a reality captured image. An adjustable splitter splits a viewport into viewing panes with the ability to freely adjust the splitter angle. A sphere represents a view of a scene from a viewpoint and used to render an interactive preview of the view without moving to the viewpoint. A series of 2D images may be used to simulate the navigation of a 3D model in an expedited manner. A 3D mesh error scroll bar is used navigate unsorted errors resulting from mesh creation. An interactive gradient map can be used to select a points based on a range of values for non-geometric parameters. An irregularly shaped mesh selection boundary can be directly modified by stretching. An elevation slice of a 3D model can be defined and isolated for viewing/manipulation.

Abstract: A technique for remote mixed-reality interaction between users includes determining a first position of a first object within a first three-dimensional (3D) space; generating first information associated with the first 3D space for the first object based on the first position; transmitting the first information to a computing device that renders first video content for display within a second 3D space based on the first information; and while transmitting the first information to the computing device, receiving second information that is associated with the second 3D space and with a second object and generated based on a second position determined for the second object within the second 3D space.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a generative design application iteratively generates designs via a generative design process. In operation, the generative design application performs one or more layout operations on virtual objects based on a first set of design constraints to generate a first design. The generative design application then modifies the first set of design constraints based on feedback associated with a mid-air representation of the first design displayed in a virtual reality environment to generate a second set of design constraints. Subsequently, the generative design application performs one or more layout operations on the virtual objects based on the second set of design constraints to generate a second design that achieves design goal(s). Advantageously, enabling a designer to incrementally indicate design goal(s) as constraints via a virtual reality environment instead of as a predetermined objective function reduces both the time and effort required to generate designs.

Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to asynchronously collaborate on a model of an infrastructure project. The model is acquired and view settings for the model are captured. The view settings include a feature highlight that provides display attributes/settings for objects and/or features of the model, a camera position providing second settings relating to a camera view of the model, and a data view providing third settings regarding a view of the model data. The view settings are associated with a link. The link is transmitted/provided from a sender to a recipient. The link enables rehydration of a live model based on the captured view settings thereby presenting a state and view settings of the model specified by the sender.

Abstract: A tutorial system presents a tutorial comprising a series of steps for building a computing system and testing successful completion of at least one of the steps. The computing system comprises a programmable controller and at least one hardware component. The tutorial system is coupled to the target computing system via a connection. The tutorial system may present one or more programming steps for the user to enter and load particular programming to the controller. The tutorial system may further present one or more physical steps for the user to physically configure a particular hardware component, such as physically configuring connections or wiring between the particular hardware component and the controller and/or another hardware component of the computing system. The tutorial system directly tests successful completion of a physical step or a programming step through values received from the computing system via the connection.

Abstract: A design engine is configured to interact with potential occupants of a structure in order to generate data that defines the usage preferences of those occupants. The design engine generates multiple candidate designs for the structure via a generative design process, and then evaluates each candidate design using a set of metrics determined relative to the usage preferences. Based on these evaluations, the design engine selects at least one candidate design that optimizes the set of metrics across all potential occupants.

Abstract: A design engine includes a geometry module and a metric module that interoperate to generate optimal design options. The geometry module initially generates a spectrum of design options for a structure based on project constraints and design criteria set forth by potential occupants of the structure. The metric module then analyzes each design option and generates, for any given design option, a set of metrics that indicates how well the given design option meets the design criteria. The geometry module then generates additional design options in an evolutionary manner to improve the metrics generated for subsequent design options.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design of physical structures using generative design processes, where the 3D models of the physical structures are produced so as to facilitate manufacturing of the physical structures using 2.5-axis subtractive manufacturing systems and techniques, include: obtaining a design space for an object to be manufactured, design criteria, and load case(s); iteratively modifying a generatively designed 3D shape of the modeled object, including generating 2D profile representations (corresponding to discrete layers) of an updated version of the 3D shape, extruding the 2D profile representations along the milling direction, and forming a next version of the 3D shape of the modeled object from a combination of the 3D representations produced by the extruding; and providing the generatively designed 3D shape of the modeled object for use in manufacturing the physical structure using a 2.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product provide the ability to navigate between components in a computer-aided design (CAD) mobile drawing application. A drawing is opened in the CAD mobile drawing application on a mobile device. A navigation panel is activated. A component is selected in the drawing. In response to the selecting, information about the selected component is displayed within the navigation panel. Via a mobile device gesture, an element of the information is selected and used as the selected element. The navigation panel is updated by displaying information about the selected element.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system provide the ability to determine and provide a safety risk analysis for construction. Construction related data is obtained and includes textual data and a visual artifact for the construction project. A construction safety context is identified based on the construction related data. Based on the construction safety context, a safety participant risk score that assigns a numerical safety risk participant value to any entity involved in the construction project is determined. Based on the safety risk participant score, a safety project score that assigns a risk level on a per-project basis is determined. The safety risk analysis is presented based on the safety participant risk score and safety project score, via a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system provide the ability to perform a drop test using a response surface. Inputs including a target safety factor (T-SF), a drop height, and a computer model, are acquired. An initial template is evaluated by computing a safety factor for a set of orientations, for each model point MP in the computer model across a set of times (t). A minimum safety factor is determined and a response surface for the model is generated. An actual safety factor SFm is generated by conducting a drop test simulation of the model based on a point having the minimum safety factor and a corresponding orientation. Consistency/validity of the actual safety factor is compared to the target safety factor and the model either passes or additional points may be added to the set of points and the process repeats based on an updated response surface.