Abstract: The current invention concerns a computer-implemented method, a computer system and a computer program product for determining a position in a computer-aided design model. The model comprises a multitude of components. A list of at least two spatially extended and user-selected components is obtained. A cursor is displayed on a visualization means to indicate a position within the model. For each spatially extended component of the list, a distance indicator, indicating the smallest distance of said position to the component, is displayed via the visualization means. Upon providing position movement directions via the at least one user input device said position, said cursor location and said distance indicators are dynamically updated accordingly.

Abstract: Based on user input, a detail and N base solids at or near the detail are obtained. A solid type for each base solid is obtained. A reference parametrization for the base solids based on the solid types of the base solids is obtained. The reference parametrization comprises one or more parameters and associated initial parameter values for the base solids. N target solids are retrieved which comprise properties compatible with the N base solids based on the reference parametrization. A spatial transformation and new parameter values for the reference parametrization which form a mapping between the base solids and the target solids are computed. An adapted detail is inserted at or near the target solids, or the insertion thereof is suggested via a visualization means. The adapted detail is based on the detail, the spatial transformation and the new parameter values.

Abstract: A multitude of equal elements is identified in a CAD model. An element is an entity, a feature, a grid, an entity reference, a feature reference or a grid reference. Equal elements comprise an identical element geometry. A regular grid of multiple repetition positions is determined based on insertion positions of equal elements of the multitude. A group of multiple equal elements of the multitude, which comprise an insertion position associated with a repetition position of the regular grid, is replaced in the CAD model with grid data. The grid data comprises a grid insertion position, element data, and element repetition data. The element data may be a pointer to an element definition comprising said identical element geometry. The element repetition data may comprise linearly independent vectors and a number of repetitions according to each vector. Compression and ergonomic subsequent user editing of the CAD model are achieved.

Abstract: A region of a CAD model is obtained via user drawing of a boundary for the region in a GUI. The boundary entirely encloses one or more entities and intersects one or more entities. For each intersecting entity, a reference point on the intersecting entity and a reference direction at the reference point are determined. Based on the reference points and reference directions, a candidate set of candidate entities which are spatially compatible with the intersecting entities is searched. A spatial transformation which maps each reference point and reference direction onto a candidate entity of the candidate set is computed. The one or more entirely enclosed entities are replicated according to the spatial transformation, or replication is suggested via a visualization means. In an embodiment, the CAD model is two-dimensional, the intersecting entities are curves, and the reference direction of an intersecting curve is tangent to the intersecting curve.

Abstract: A CAD model represents a structure and comprises a plurality of physical elements. For each of multiple physical elements, an analytical element is generated. One or more connection nodes each associated with two or more analytical elements and comprising an initial spatial configuration are generated. At least one analytical element associated with a connection node is not tangent to the connection node. New spatial configurations for all analytical elements and all connection nodes are computed simultaneously to make analytical elements associated with a connection node tangent to said connection node. In an embodiment, the new spatial configurations may be computed simultaneously via optimization of a cost function based on the spatial configurations of the analytical elements and connection nodes. In an embodiment, a representation of the analytical model may be automatically displayed to a user via a GUI.

Abstract: The invention concerns a computer-implemented preprocessing method for dividing a point cloud in cells, whereby for each cell a set of levels of detail is created, each level of detail comprising a set of points and a minimal distance; a data structure for storing a preprocessed point cloud; a computer-implemented rendering method for creating a pixelated image based on a stored preprocessed point cloud and a view frustum; and a viewing method involving a computing system to select a view frustum with a user interface and to present a pixelated image of a point cloud on a screen.

Abstract: In a first aspect the present invention provides a method for manipulating a computer aided design (CAD) model, comprising the following computer-implemented steps of: —creating a first solid entity in a CAD model, said first solid entity comprising one or more coordinates and a 3D volume; —a user executing a drag operation on said first solid entity; wherein said drag operation comprises the following computer-implemented steps: a) selecting a face of said first solid entity; b) determining if said face is a major face or a minor face for said first solid entity; c) determining a drag direction; d) in case of a determined major face executing a moving operation on said first solid entity in said drag direction and in case of a determined minor face executing a push-pull operation on said selected face of said first solid entity in said drag direction.

Abstract: The disclosed method for manipulating a computer aided design (CAD) model includes the computer-implemented steps of a user determining one or more entities in a CAD model with a cursor, determining a set of adequate user action(s) to execute on the entities and providing a suggestion menu which contains the set of adequate user actions, partly determined by previously executed user actions. A second method for manipulating a CAD model includes the computer-implemented steps of a user determining one or more entities with a cursor, determining a set of adequate user actions to execute on the entities and providing a suggestion menu which contains the set of adequate user actions, partly determined by a geometric analysis on any of the entities in an area within a predetermined proximity of the cursor. A computer program product and server for manipulating a CAD model are also described.