Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product provide the ability to define an attribute of a design part in a manufacturing or construction project. Apart set of two or more design parts is obtained. Each of the two or more design parts includes metadata. An external corpus is mined to determine a text set of terms relevant to the metadata. The metadata is mined for a pattern based on the text set to discover a metadata property. An attribute is defined based on the metadata property. A graphical user interface is used to search for design parts utilizing a filter based on the metadata property.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention disclosed herein provides techniques for fitting a mesh representation that includes a plurality of mesh points with a NURBS surface. A subdividing engine subdivides the mesh representation into a plurality of patches in a parametric domain. A vertex solving engine computes one or more vertex boundary continuity constraints for each vertex included in a plurality of vertices associated with the plurality of patches. An edge solving engine computes one or more edge boundary continuity constraints for each edge included in a plurality of edges associated with the plurality of patches. A patch solving engine fits a first patch included in the plurality of patches with at least one partial NURBS surface based on the vertex boundary continuity constraints and the edge boundary continuity constraints.

Abstract: Techniques for managing authored views. The techniques includes displaying a main window including a model, an authoring panel configured for displaying authored view indicators associated with authored views of the model, and a navigation panel configured for displaying thumbnail representations of authored views associated with the model. The techniques also include based on a user input, accessing an authored view of the model, wherein the authored view includes one of a view-point, a view path and a view surface. The techniques further include displaying the authored view in the main window, an authored view indicator associated with the authored view in the authoring panel, and a thumbnail representation based on the authored view in the navigation panel.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to pre-segment point cloud data. Point cloud data is obtained and segmented. Based on the segment information, a determination is made regarding points needed for shape extraction. Needed points are fetched and used to extract shapes. The extracted shapes are used to cull points from the point cloud data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to dynamically determine and utilize an image resolution. An audio/video clip comprising two or more frames (with each frame comprising a source image having a source image resolution) is obtained. Proxy image(s) associated with each source image are computed. Each proxy image is a scaled version of the source image wherein the source image resolution has been scaled based on a proxy scale to obtain a proxy image resolution. A media player determines display capabilities for a display device and processes the clip. The player then dynamically determines the proxy scale for each frame in the clip, performs image processing for/on a respective proxy image, and displays the respective proxy image.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus provide the ability to design a circuit. A behavior of the circuit is authored by dragging nodes from side panels and connecting them in an authoring canvas. Multiple circuit designs that satisfy the behavior are generated. A data grid table is generated and displays the circuit designs with each row representing a design, and the table is sortable based on columns that represent computed metrics. Upon selection of a design in the table, a computer generated circuit diagram is rendered. Interactive assembly instructions are generated and displayed. The interactive assembly instructions provide a text-based step-by-step guide to wire the circuit. Further, upon selection of an assembly instruction step, a corresponding element in the computer generated circuit diagram is highlighted.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product provide the ability to design a road intersection in a three-dimensional (3D) modeling and visualization system. Two roads are defined in the system with the second road intersecting the first road. A set of design rules (that define characteristics of use that contribute to a shape of the road intersection) is acquired. Based on the set of rules, a 3D model of the road intersection is directly created. A property of one of the roads is modified. Without additional user input, the 3D model of the road intersection is automatically and dynamically updated based on the modified property and while maintaining conformance with the set of design rules.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device generator automatically generates a circuit, firmware, and assembly instructions for a programmed electronic device based on behaviors that are specified via mappings between triggers and actions. In operation, the device generator generates a circuit based on the mappings. The circuit specifies instances of electronic components and interconnections between the instances. Subsequently, the device generator generates firmware based on code fragments associated with the triggers and actions included in the mappings that specify the high-level behavior. In addition the device generator generates assembly instructions based on the interconnections between the instances. Advantageously, the device generator provides an automated, intuitive design process for programmed electronic devices that does not rely on the designers possessing any significant technical expertise.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for preparing geometry for 3D printing. In one embodiment, a 3D printing preparation application receives 3D geometry and repairs non-manifold edges and non-manifold vertices, producing a topological manifold geometry. The 3D printing preparation application then welds coincident edges without coincident faces and fills holes in the geometry. The 3D printing preparation application may further perform resolution-aware thickening of the geometry by estimating distances to a medial axis based on distances to distance field shocks, and advecting the distance field using a velocity field. A similar approach may be used to perform resolution-aware separation enforcement. Alternatively, one component may be globally thickened and subtracted from another for separation enforcement. The 3D printing preparation application may also split large models and add connectors for connecting the split pieces after printing.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a print orientation tool efficiently determines an orientation of a three-dimensional (3D) model such that, when 3D printed, the structural integrity of the resulting 3D object is optimized. In operation, the print orientation tool configures a stress analysis engine to slice the 3D model into two-dimensional (2D) cross-sections. The stress analysis engine then compute structural stresses associated with the 2D cross-sections. The print orientation tool translates the structural stresses to weakness metrics. Subsequently, the print orientation tool evaluates the orientations of the cross-sections in conjunction with the corresponding weakness metrics to select a printing orientation that minimizes weaknesses in the 3D model. Advantageously, by aligning the 3D model to the print bed based on the optimized printing orientation, the user mitigates weaknesses in the corresponding 3D object attributable to the 3D printing manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a presumptive drafting solution. Input from a cursor control device is received, wherein the input reflects a movement in a computer drawing program of a cursor over a drawing having one or more geometric entities (having one or more geometric attributes). In one or more embodiments, a relevant geometric entity is identified based on how the cursor is moved over the drawing. A presumptive drafting solution is then provided based on the identified relevant geometric entity. In addition, prior drawing solutions (having one or more solution attributes) are obtained and compared to the one or more geometric attributes. A drawing solution having one or more solution attributes similar to the one or more geometric attributes may be provided to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and article of manufacture provide the ability to generate a texture unit for seamless tiling. A source image is obtained. A sample unit is identified from part of the source image where texture is of interest. The sample unit has multiple pixels including non-continuous border pixels and continuous pixels. The sample unit is split into multiple parts using a horizontal cut and/or a vertical cut. A shuffled sample unit is generated by moving each of the multiple parts to a center-symmetric position based on the horizontal cut and/or the vertical cut. The moving/shuffling moves the non-continuous border pixels to a center, and the continuous pixels to borders of the shuffled sample unit. A mask is generated by selecting the multiple pixels from the sample unit. The mask is overlaid on top of corresponding pixels in the shuffled sample unit to generate the texture unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a support structure generator creates support structures designed to buttress three-dimensional (3D) digital models during 3D printing. In operation, the support structure generator incrementally constructs a support graph that connects overhanging points included in the 3D model with support points on a horizontal ground plane or relatively flat surfaces in the 3D model. After generating the 3D model, the support structure generator translates the connections between the nodes into support posts sized to sufficiently support the connected surfaces with the minimum amount of support material. Advantageously, the support structure is noticeably sparser than conventional support structures that fill a given support region with a solid volume of support material. Consequently, the time necessary for 3D printers to fabricate the support structure of interconnected support posts is less than the time required for 3D printers to fabricate conventional support structures.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a hybrid subsystem orchestrates animated transitions between stereoscopic imaging and non-stereoscopic imaging. In operation, the hybrid subsystem receives frames that represent a three-dimensional object over time. The hybrid subsystem renders the first frame based on a left eye position and then re-renders the first frame based a right eye position. The left eye position and the right eye position are separated by a predetermined distance that is optimized for stereoscopic viewing. As part of rendering and re-rendering subsequent frames, the hybrid subsystem gradually deceases the distance between the left eye position and the right eye position. Upon receiving a final frame in the transition, the hybrid subsystem renders once—to a single eye position. Advantageously, because the rendered three-dimensional object image gradually loses depth throughout the animated transition, the hybrid subsystem minimizes disruptions to the viewing experience.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a support structure generator creates support structures designed to buttress three-dimensional (3D) digital models during 3D printing. In operation, the support structure generator incrementally constructs a support graph that connects overhanging points included in the 3D model with support points on a horizontal ground plane or relatively flat surfaces in the 3D model. After generating the 3D model, the support structure generator translates the connections between the nodes into support posts sized to sufficiently support the connected surfaces with the minimum amount of support material. Advantageously, the support structure is noticeably sparser than conventional support structures that fill a given support region with a solid volume of support material. Consequently, the time necessary for 3D printers to fabricate the support structure of interconnected support posts is less than the time required for 3D printers to fabricate conventional support structures.

Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to modify a three-dimensional (3D) model. The 3D model is obtained and arbitrary faces of the model are selected. Shape modification operations to be performed are prescribed. A deformation lattice is constructed by setting up a lattice structure with control points. A space of the 3D model is mapped to a space of the lattice structure. The deformation lattice is evaluated by deforming the lattice using a selected set of control points. The evaluated deformed model is then output.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus provide the ability to globally register point cloud scans. A first and a second three-dimensional (3D) point cloud are acquired. The point clouds have a subset of points in common and there is no prior knowledge on an alignment between the point clouds. Particular points that are likely to be identified in the other point cloud are detected. Information about a normal of each of the detected particular points is retrieved. A descriptor (that only describes 3D information) is built on each of the detected particular points. Matching pairs of descriptors are determined. Rigid transformation hypotheses are estimated (based on the matching pairs) and represent a transformation. The hypotheses are accumulated into a fitted space, selected based on density, and validated based on a scoring. One of the hypotheses is then selected as a registration.

Abstract: A stroke parameterization engine within a rendering engine is configured to map a texture to the surface of a three-dimensional (3D) model along a stroke defined by an end-user of the rendering engine. The stroke parameterization engine converts the stroke to a polyline, then generates a geodesic trace by sliding a geodesic circle along the polyline and collecting points associated with the 3D model that fall within the geodesic circle. The stroke parameterization engine then parameterizes points associated with the polyline and the geodesic trace using UV coordinates associated with a texture map, thereby generating UV coordinates for each point within the polyline and geodesic trace. The stroke parameterization engine then projects the texture map onto the surface of the 3D model using the UV coordinates generated for the polyline and geodesic trace.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide the ability to ink a drawing. A coarse original sketch is loaded. User input drawing an initial stroke over the coarse original sketch is accepted. A stroke smoothness of the initial stroke is measured. A similarity between the initial stroke and the coarse original sketch is measured to determine a snap affect. The stroke smoothness and the snap affect are combined. The initial stroke is automatically/dynamically, without additional user input, modified based on the combination.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for zippering meshes of primitives. The technique involves identifying a first vertex associated with a first mesh boundary and having a first position and identifying a second vertex that is proximate to the first vertex and associated with a second mesh boundary, where the second vertex has a second position. The technique further involves determining a third position based on the first position, the second position, and a zippering strength factor, where the third position is located in a region between the first position and the second position. Filially, the technique involves moving the first vertex to the third position.