Abstract: A change in orientation or reorientation operation is applied to 3D models while maintaining constant zoom level of model display. The orientation is provided by a computer-based tool or GUI widget formed of a transparent container element and a miniaturized depiction of the 3D model. The transparent container element encapsulates the miniaturized depiction and enables see through view of the miniaturized depiction illustrating real time orientation of the 3D model. The container element is user-interactive to effect change in orientation of the 3D model concurrently displayed in a work area of a screen view. The zoom level of the displayed 3D model in the work area remains constant avoiding or omitting zoom to extents throughout user interaction with the GUI widget.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system create a three-dimensional (3D) model of a personalized object that represents of a real-world physical product. The 3D model contains one or more symbol parts, where each of the symbol parts is a computer representation of a symbol and a 3D font determines the shape of each of the symbol parts. A user interface is provided to enable a user to specify the symbol parts to personalize the real-world physical product. A transformation operation is performed, which transforms the 3D model in any one of the six degrees of freedom and enables a user to visualize in three dimensions on a computer screen a representation of the physical product prior to purchase.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system uses a single command to modify a feature type of a feature in a computer-aided design model. The method and system construct a three-dimensional (3D) model comprised of at least one feature, where the feature type is an extrude, a revolve, and a sweep. A command is provided that upon execution creates an extrude feature, a revolve feature, or a sweep feature. The feature is modified such that the feature changes from one feature type to another feature type. And after modifying the feature, references to a set of faces of the feature are maintained such that other features dependent on the feature properly update.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system modifies a pre-existing surface. The invention method/product/data storage medium/system generates an outline of a shape of an object, which is a curve. A reference surface is then created by extruding the curve. Selected entities of the pre-existing surface are projected to a location on the reference surface, after which the pre-existing surface is regenerated using the location for each entity to calculate a modified pre-existing surface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system automatically solves constraints in a computer-aided design (CAD) model. A CAD model of a real-world object capable of assuming various positions is constructed and a constraint solver process is initiated and executes while a user defines multiple positions of the CAD model. Input of data specified during a CAD design workflow is automatically input to the constraint solver process, and unknown variables are solved for as part of the CAD design workflow.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system creates an interactive learning environment. Windows are created for guiding a user through a series of steps to perform a task supported by a computer software application. The windows contain textual and/or visual content that informs the user of the elements to accomplish the task. At least one of the windows contains a pointer indicating a location of a command in a user interface of the computer software application. User interaction is enabled during the execution of the series of steps, allowing for user input.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system automatically detects stress singularity in a three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) model. A potential area of high stress is detected. A finite element mesh of the 3D CAD model is refined, at least in the potential area of high stress, after which, whether the high stress value converges is determined. A user is alerted that the potential area of high stress is an area having one or more elements of stress singularity. Suggestions are made regarding how to eliminate the stress singularity and the user is enabled to modify the design of the 3D CAD model to eliminate the stress singularity.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system creates a multi-element feature in a three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) model. A first element and a second element are selected to include in the multi-element feature. A single sketch is created comprised of sketch entities, a subset of which defines the first element and another subset of which defines the second element. A connection entity is included in the single sketch. The connection entity joins the first and the second elements. A modeling operation applied to the single sketch creates the multi-element feature.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system create a three-dimensional (3D) model represented by a sub-division surface and defining a solid or a surface model. A selected entity of the 3D model is selected and with one or more surrounding entities a determination is made of a type of operation to perform. The operation is an add operation or a remove operation, and the operation changes the topology of the 3D model.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system creates a multi-element feature in a three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) model. A first element and a second element are selected to include in the multi-element feature. A single sketch is created comprised of sketch entities, a subset of which defines the first element and another subset of which defines the second element. A connection entity is included in the single sketch. The connection entity joins the first and the second elements. A modeling operation applied to the single sketch creates the multi-element feature.

Abstract: CAD modeling method, system, and apparatus provide an on-demand mate controller for controlling settings of mating relationships in a CAD model. The names of mates of a CAD model assembly are auto-populated into an ordered list in the mate controller. The mate controller enables user interactive re-ordering of the listed names. With the mate controller, a user may temporarily unlock a mate, visually position assembly components, and relock the mate resulting in refined mate settings and degrees of freedom of assembly components. The mate controller enables a user to interactively change order of positions of the model assembly which in turn affects order of position changes in motion studies of the model assembly. The mate controller saves per position data of the model assembly including mate values and component degrees of freedom. The saved per position data can be readily used to create animations.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system automatically creates data for use by a computer-aided simulation process. The method and system determine that a CAD model component represents a real-world object that is a fastener. The method and system automatically analyze the CAD component and derive properties for use by the simulation process. The derived properties include size data, location data, and material type data. The method and system automatically calculate a zone of influence of the CAD component on another CAD component. The simulation process utilizes at least one of the properties to calculate the zone of influence to simulate a real-world assembly of which the fastener is a component.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method constructs a three-dimensional (3D) model, deletes data defining two or more features of the 3D model, and creates a new feature to replace the two or more features. Each of the two or more features has a set of faces, and a reduced amount of data is associated with the new feature with respect to the amount of data defining the two or more features. The method maps unique identifiers, enabling references to be retained and preventing a failure of an operation that uses the reference.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method automates motion of a computer-aided design (CAD) model. The CAD model represents a real-world object comprised of a number of parts. The part containing a user-specified entity is analyzed to collect data relevant to a motion study, for example, size data, location data, and material type data are collected. Based on the user-specified entity, parameters for automating motion are inferred and used to automate motion. The parameters include at least one of a part that is moved directly by a motor, a location on the part where the motor is mounted, a motor type, an axis of motion of the part, and a motion function indicating a change of motion over time.

Abstract: A method of executing a simulation model while generating an associated structural model includes changing, by a computer-aided design (CAD) system, the structural model. The method further includes evaluating, by the CAD system, at least one trigger criterion to determine if the change to the structural model is a simulation trigger event. The method also includes executing, by the CAD system, the simulation model if the change to the structural model is determined to be the simulation trigger event.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of creating a 3D-part within a computer aided design (CAD) three-dimensional (3D)-assembly can include, in the CAD 3D-assembly, creating the 3D-part based on user input received in the 3D assembly. The method can further include automatically associating a history with the created 3D-part, the history based on the user input used to create the 3D-part.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system automatically adjusts the size of a selection area to aid in a selection of an object generated by a computerized system. The method and system detect a series of movements of a pointer, where the pointer is utilized to select an entity of the object. The series of movements are small and continuous. A set of entities that occupies the selection area is determined and the entities are analyzed for an indication of a level of difficulty in selecting one of the entities. The size of the selection area is reduced when the indication implies that the level of difficulty will be decreased after reducing the size of the selection area.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system automatically adjusts the size of a rigid body model. The method and system construct a two-dimensional model or a three-dimensional model, where the model has one or more rigid bodies. The rigid bodies are converted into geometric primitives that represent a respective rigid body and enable the respective rigid body to resize. One or more of the primitives are constrained to one another. A solver process changes a size of at least one geometric primitive and a rigid body simulation process uses the resized primitive(s) as input.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium is configured to store instructions for creating a model in a three-dimensional (3D) environment, where the model represents a real-world object. The instructions, when loaded and executed by a processor, causes the processor to, given a two-dimensional (2D) sketch comprised of sketch entities, automatically create one or more 3D part in the 3D environment corresponding to respective groupings of sketch entities. The instructions further cause the processor to create a derived layout sketch in the 3D environment associated with a first 3D part, where the derived layout sketch is a reference to or a copy of the 2D sketch, and automatically create a relationship between the first 3D part and a second 3D part where the relationship is based on a constraint between corresponding respective groupings of sketch entities.

Abstract: Techniques for aiding user input with a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. A target object among various command regions of the GUI is predicted, e.g., substantially before the cursor reaches any of the regions. The command region corresponding to the predicted target object is enlarged to facilitate user selection of the predicted target object. Enlarging the predicted target object may cause the target object to overlap and/or occlude nearby command regions. After a first target object is predicted, the prediction may be changed based on updated cursor movements. By using predictive target enlargement, users are given early visual feedback about the target, and are given a larger target to acquire, thereby allowing them to be faster and less precise (their mouse direction can wander) yet still acquire their desired result.