Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating a computer generated model and visualizing a change in projection plane before entering a projection creation commnand. After selection of a projection plane on the 3-D model, a generative drafting document can be created wherein the projection plane becomes the plane of the screen. The system can display a visualization of the projection of the model in plane with the screen, without generating a fully computed projection. Display of the visualization can provide increased efficiency in processing time as compared to a fully computed projection. The system can also display a graphical manipulator including a circular central region with a button in the middle, wherein clicking on the button can be used as a command to the system requesting creation of the projection. The graphical manipulator software tool can also include quadrants, wherein each quadrant is associated with a direction in relation to an orthogonal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating a computer generated model and visualizing a change in projection plane before entering a projection creation command. After selection of a projection plane on the 3-D model, a generative drafting document can be created wherein the projection plane becomes the plane of the screen. The system can display a visualization of the projection of the model in plane with the screen, without generating a fully computed projection. Display of the visualization can provide increased efficiency in processing time as compared to a fully computed projection. The system can also display a graphical manipulator including a circular central region with a button in the middle, wherein clicking on the button can be used as a command to the system requesting creation of the projection. The graphical manipulator software tool can also include quadrants, wherein each quadrant is associated with a direction in relation to an orthogonal axis.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a path to be followed by a cutting tool in a milling situation. Using a novel geometric concept suited to a milling situation called “focal areas,” a toolpath is generated in which the cutting tool remains in constant contact with material to be cut, thus minimizing wear and shock loading of the tool. In addition, the toolpath is optimized so as to trace a short path, thereby minimizing cutting time. The toolpath generator is particularly useful in high speed milling applications.

Abstract: A method and system for aiding a user of a graphical object editor in defining inputs for a selected command comprises presenting a navigation console on the display in response to a user selecting a particular command. The navigation console contains information which is contextually related to the selected command and, in particular, shows a sample object having sample features representative of the command inputs and additional features showing the command output using the sample input features. The console display has active regions associated with respective command inputs which cover one or both of a sample feature associated with the respective command input and an icon representative of the respective input. When a user selects an region in the navigation console associated with a particular command input, the command processor state machine is shifted to a state appropriate to receive a definition of a feature in the main object model for use as the particular command input.

Abstract: In a system and method for controlling a reflection line in a CAD system and for adjusting the shape of an object to correspond to a new reflection line, a user sets a reflection line as desired, and at least one constraint on the object. The system determines a shape of the object based on the new reflection line and the constraint. The shape of the object may be determined using energy minimization. Alternatively, the system and method may use vector springs to attract the reflection line to a free-form curve set by the user, and then determine the shape of the object based on the new reflection line and the constraint.

Abstract: A method and system for assisting a user in identifying an element of an object in various displayed views in a drawing of the object. A method is employed that will allow automatic highlighting of a selected edge of an object in each view, as well as separately highlighting the edges of faces of an object adjoining the selected edge. The process facilitates the user's comprehension of the three dimensional geometry of the object. The invention is particularly suited to computer-aided design, computer aided manufacturing, and computer aided engineering.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for use in CAD/CAM design in which two or more bodies may be combined to form an assembly. When the assembly is formed, the two bodies intersect so that the volume of the assembly consists of cells containing volume common to both bodies, cells containing volume originating solely from one of the bodies, and cells containing volume originating solely from the other body. Often it is desirable to remove a portion of the assembly consisting of a cell originating solely from one of the bodies. In an existing system this can be done by selecting a face of such a cell, provided however, that said face has not been created by dividing one of the faces of the original bodies. If a divided face is selected, additional user inputs are required before the removal is executed. According to the present invention, divided faces can be selected directly by the user, without the need for further processing.

Abstract: An improved method of displaying the features of a three-dimensional graphical object model for subsequent selection by a user employs icons in a feature tree which are three-dimensional miniatures derived from the actual features present in the object model that the icon represents. Each 3D miniature corresponds to a specific feature in the object and has a similar, and preferably the same, geometry. Displayed 3D miniatures are shown from a viewpoint and rotation which matches the viewpoint and object rotation used in the graphical window. As the object is rotated, the rotation of the miniatures changes accordingly and as various features in the object are edited, the corresponding miniature is updated accordingly. Actions can also be performed on the miniatures and these actions applied to the corresponding feature in the model.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding flight through a computer digital mockup object scene is generated on a display. A three dimensional graphical figure, such as an arrow, is formed on the display to represent a trajectory responsive to positioning of an input device. The three dimensional graphical figure is bent responsive to rotation speed of a viewpoint base; and stretched or compressed responsive to viewpoint translation speed. The visual texture of the three dimensional graphical figure can be altered to indicate an imminent collision of the viewpoint with an object in the digital mock up scene. Altering the texture can include changing the color or presenting a pattern such as a checkerboard or stripes. An imminent collision is determined by computing the viewpoint eye translation along its sight direction and testing the resulting eye position against the depth buffer.

Abstract: A software control method and apparatus for implementing a knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar within an object scene. The undockable toolbar can be used to perform actions on objects created and managed by computer software applications. A knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar can merges into a relatively small area, tools for executing various commands that would require substantial screen space if represented by standard icons on a toolbar. The present invention can be used to manipulate non-constrained objects or groups of objects included in an assembly that are linked to each other by constraints. The knowledge based polymorph undockable toolbar can also act to reduce the number of user interactions needed to perform a manipulation task.

Abstract: A software control method and apparatus for implementing a knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar within an object scene. The undockable toolbar can be used to perform actions on objects created and managed by computer software applications. A knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar can merges into a relatively small area, tools for executing various commands that would require substantial screen space if represented by standard icons on a toolbar. The present invention can be used to manipulate non-constrained objects or groups of objects included in an assembly that are linked to each other by constraints. The knowledge based polymorph undockable toolbar can also act to reduce the number of user interactions needed to perform a manipulation task.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding flight through a computer digital mockup object scene is generated on a display. A three dimensional graphical figure, such as an arrow, is formed on the display to represent a trajectory responsive to positioning of an input device. The three dimensional graphical figure is bent responsive to rotation speed of a viewpoint base; and stretched or compressed responsive to viewpoint translation speed. The visual texture of the three dimensional graphical figure can be altered to indicate an imminent collision of the viewpoint with an object in the digital mock up scene. Altering the texture can include changing the color or presenting a pattern such as a checkerboard or stripes. An imminent collision is determined by computing the viewpoint eye translation along its sight direction and testing the resulting eye position against the depth buffer.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing the placement of a robot in a workplace so as to minimize cycle time is defined. A modified simulated annealing method (SA) is applied to the problem of robot placement in CAD systems, in the context of welding tasks. The objective function for optimization is cycle time, which can be obtained from available robotic CAD software. The research domains are simplified, and the SA method is applied to yield an optimal or near-optimal solution to each problem. To obtain the optimal placement of the robot, the research domain is first simplified by determining an acceptable base location domain, then obstacle shadows, which are subtracted from the previous domain to give the free acceptable base location domain. A modified SA method is applied to this domain, using task feasibility tests before simulating the cycle time, in order to save CPU time.

Abstract: A computer system operation method for allowing a user to work on interrelated documents includes forming groups of software tools. Different groups of software tools are used to perform different tasks on documents in a software system. Documents in the software system have different document types. The document types are functionally associated with the different groups of software tools. The method monitors a user's selection of a second group of software tools, when the user is using a first workbench to work on data contained in a first document. The method invokes a second document, upon the user's selection of a second group of software tools. The second document is of a document type that is associated with the second workbench.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing the assembly workcell layout in the context of industrial robotic CAD/CAM/CAE software products. The criterion to be minimized is the cycle time for completing a given sequence of operations, which is achieved by determining the relative positions of peripheral machines on the workcell floor. The method is constructive: each machine is placed one at a time in the robot neighborhood, by means of a modified simulated annealing method. This method yields several possible and optimal positions for a machine and several layouts are thus obtained at the end of execution.

Abstract: A software control method includes forming groups of software application functions. A different characteristic is associated with each of the groups, and a different graphical user interface (GUI) object is formed for each function in each of the groups. Each GUI object includes the characteristic associated with its function's group and a second characteristic that distinguishes its function from other functions within its function's group. A computer program residing on a computer-readable medium includes instructions for causing a computer to form a different graphical user interface (GUI) object for each of a collection of software functions. Each GUI object may include a first visual characteristic that identifies a first characteristic of the object's associated function, and a second visual characteristic that identifies a second characteristic of the object's associated function.

Abstract: The invention provides generally a method and system for selecting an element of a computer generated drawing model graphically represented on a computer screen wherein each selectable element of the model occupies a position in a hierarchical tree describing the model. A pointer can be used to specify a position on the screen and pre-selecting an element on an axis extending from the position of the pointer along a predetermined direction such that the direction is not in the plane of the screen. Pre-selection can be moved from a first position on the hierarchical tree to a second position on the hierarchical tree in response to activation of an arrow mechanism. Full selection can be accomplished by activating a selection mechanism.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for allowing an end-user to define at run-time the way an object in the system will react to existing operations, or events, that are later performed on the object. In the system of the invention, the end-user can attach to the object code specifying behavior that the user wishes the object to exhibit from that point forward. The code defining the new or additional behavioral features will be interpreted by the applications software so that each time an event or operation is performed on the object, the system will recognize that the object has user-specified behavior associated therewith. The code remains associated with the object. In the system of the invention, there is no need to exit the application software. The new code specifying the desired behavior is immediately callable and executable by the system upon being input.

Abstract: The number and complexity of the individual computations required to automatically identify geometrical constraints in a two dimensional model are reduced by indexing line vectors associated with individual line segments and tangent vectors associated with individual circular arcs in a polar quadtree index separate and distinct from a Cartesian quadtree index used to index individual points and circles, as well as the end points of the individual line segments and arcs, and the centers of the individual arcs. The Cartesian quadtree is used to identify constraints between point elements, and the polar quadtree is used to identify constraints between line elements. In order to determine whether there is a point-on relationship between a point element and a line element, the line element (which may be a Circle or an arc) is used to define one or more search paths through adjoining nodes of the Cartesian quadtree.

Abstract: A computerized method of drawing provides sketching-type drawing capabilities in a computer-aided design (CAD) environment. Geometrical drawing parts or elements, sketched through a hand-controlled indicator and lacking in the precision criteria or standards associated with formal drawings, are recognized and interpreted as points, straight lines, open arcs, circles and ellipses. Delete and “areafill” symbols, similarly, are recognized and interpreted. The method also provides the capability to distinguish and interpret relatively complex, multiple-part or element strokes. This is done by determining break locations for the elements along the stroke, and by recognizing these elements before re-constituting a stroke meeting precision criteria. A variety of geometrical constraints which are important in a CAD environment, including coincidence, parallelism, tangency and relimitation, are also recognized and imposed.