Abstract: A method of enabling expedited manufacture of one or more instantiations of a structure modeled as a 3D computer model, the method implemented on one or more computer devices including displaying one or more user selectable expedited manufacturing reservation options for a plurality of requests for manufacture, generating a prompt to select a user selectable expedited manufacturing reservation option, receiving an expedited manufacturing, storing the expedited manufacturing reservation, receiving a request for manufacture of one or more instantiations of a structure modeled in an associated 3D computer model from a user, compare one or more of the requests for manufacture and one or more aspects of the associated 3D computer model with the expedited manufacturing reservation, determining an applicability of the expedited manufacturing reservation to the request for manufacture, calculating a total time to complete the request for manufacture, and presenting the total time to complete the request for manufactu

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, software made in accordance with the present invention generates a request for quote (RFQ) based on user-provided information, presents a user interface allowing a user to customize the RFQ, generates an e-mail including the RFQ, and sends the e-mail to one or more suppliers. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for filtering components, such as hardware components, compatible with computer-modeled structures are presented. A compatible components system provides selection methods that present components compatible with computer-aided design (CAD) models designed in computer modeling software. The system executes methods designed to filter components made available to designers using attribute information of the features and attribute information of the components. Designers may interact with the compatibility methods numerous times, narrowing components through a series or number of filtering steps until a desired compatible component is easily selected. The computer modeling software may include graphical user interfaces for selecting component source locations, filtering types of components presented by the system, and adding components to CAD models.

Abstract: A system comprising an electronic pricing system configured to receive information corresponding to a designed product and determine an initial price(s) as well as initial values of other business variables associated with the price. The system allows a user to enter a change to a price or the other business variable to instantly discover how the change affects other variables and optionally how the change affects one or more allowable ranges of acceptable values of other variables. The user can then lock the value of one or more of the variables and prices and change others to instantly discover how a change to one affects the others. The user can then order manufacture of the designed product as a function of values of price and other business variables.

Abstract: A method for generating a quote for fabrication of a part to be fabricated includes receiving, from a customer device associated with a customer, a design request for a part to be fabricated by a fabrication process, the design request including a three-dimensional model file representing the part to be fabricated and descriptive information including a descriptive datum. The method includes extracting a first feature from the 3D model file, wherein the first feature represents a geometry of the part to be fabricated. The method includes extracting a second feature from the descriptive information, wherein the second feature represents the descriptive datum. The method includes generating, as a function of the first and second features, a quote for fabrication for the part to be fabricated, the quote for fabrication including a cost and time to fabricate the part to be fabricated and sending the quote for fabrication to the customer.

Abstract: A system comprising an electronic pricing system configured to receive information corresponding to a designed product and determine an initial price(s) as well as initial values of other business variables associated with the price. The system allows a user to enter a change to a price or the other business variable to instantly discover how the change affects other variables and optionally how the change affects one or more allowable ranges of acceptable values of other variables. The user can then lock the value of one or more of the variables and prices and change others to instantly discover how a change to one affects the others. The user can then order manufacture of the designed product as a function of values of price and other business variables.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, software made in accordance with the present invention generates a request for quote (RFQ) based on user-provided information, presents a user interface allowing a user to customize the RFQ, generates an e-mail including the RFQ, and sends the e-mail to one or more suppliers. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: A method for generating a quote for fabrication of a part to be fabricated includes receiving, from a customer device associated with a customer, a design request for a part to be fabricated by a fabrication process, the design request including a three-dimensional model file representing the part to be fabricated and descriptive information including a descriptive datum. The method includes extracting a first feature from the 3D model file, wherein the first feature represents a geometry of the part to be fabricated. The method includes extracting a second feature from the descriptive information, wherein the second feature represents the descriptive datum. The method includes generating, as a function of the first and second features, a quote for fabrication for the part to be fabricated, the quote for fabrication including a cost and time to fabricate the part to be fabricated and sending the quote for fabrication to the customer.

Abstract: A method for generating a quote for fabrication of a part to be fabricated is disclosed. The method includes receiving, from a customer device associated with a customer, a design request for a part to be fabricated by a fabrication process. The design request includes a three-dimensional (3D) model file representing the part to be fabricated. The method further includes generating a feature vector for the part based on the model file and determining a total height of the part to be fabricated. Further, the method includes identifying one or more candidate orientations for the part to be fabricated and generating, as a function of a geometry of the part and a candidate orientation of the one or more candidate orientations, fabrication parameters for the part to be fabricated, wherein the fabrication parameters include a cost to fabricate the part and estimated completion date.

Abstract: A method for generating a quote for fabrication of a part to be fabricated is disclosed. The method includes receiving, from a customer device associated with a customer, a design request for a part to be fabricated by a fabrication process. The design request includes a three-dimensional (3D) model file representing the part to be fabricated. The method further includes generating a feature vector for the part based on the model file and determining a total height of the part to be fabricated. Further, the method includes identifying one or more candidate orientations for the part to be fabricated and generating, as a function of a geometry of the part and a candidate orientation of the one or more candidate orientations, fabrication parameters for the part to be fabricated, wherein the fabrication parameters include a cost to fabricate the part and estimated completion date.

Abstract: Methods and software that allow one or more users to utilize targeted-advertising functionality in the context of a product program. For example, such logistical functionality may enable users to benefit from the use of one or more functionalities enabled by targeted advertising, such as fully or partially ad-sponsored software, relevant training or assistance recommendations, and user-customized advertising, among others. Various corresponding and related methods and software are described.

Abstract: A method for generating a quote for fabrication of a part to be fabricated includes receiving, from a customer device associated with a customer, a design request for a part to be fabricated by a fabrication process, the design request including a two-dimensional drawing file representing the part to be fabricated and descriptive information including a descriptive datum. The method includes extracting a first feature from the 2D drawing file, wherein the first feature represents a geometry of the part to be fabricated. The method includes extracting a second feature from the descriptive information, wherein the second feature represents the descriptive datum. The method includes generating, as a function of the first and second features, a quote for fabrication for the part to be fabricated, the quote for fabrication including a cost and time to fabricate the part to be fabricated and sending the quote for fabrication to the customer.

Abstract: A method of generating fabrication parameters for fabrication of a part is disclosed. The method comprises receiving from a computer device a 3D file representing the part to be fabricated. A three-dimensional model stored in the three-dimensional model file is converted to manufacturing instructions. The three-dimensional model includes the geometrical layout of the part, and the three-dimensional model includes mesh surface data. A cost as well as a time associated with the manufacturing of the part are generated. The cost and time to manufacture the part are outputted to a customer device. A system for generating fabrication parameters for fabrication of a part is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and software that allow one or more users to utilize targeted-advertising functionality in the context of a product program. For example, such logistical functionality may enable users to benefit from the use of one or more functionalities enabled by targeted advertising, such as fully or partially ad-sponsored software, relevant training or assistance recommendations, and user-customized advertising, among others. Various corresponding and related methods and software are described.

Abstract: A method for generating a quote for fabrication of a part to be fabricated includes receiving, from a customer device associated with a customer, a design request for a part to be fabricated by a fabrication process, the design request including a two-dimensional drawing file representing the part to be fabricated and descriptive information including a descriptive datum. The method includes extracting a first feature from the 2D drawing file, wherein the first feature represents a geometry of the part to be fabricated. The method includes extracting a second feature from the descriptive information, wherein the second feature represents the descriptive datum. The method includes generating, as a function of the first and second features, a quote for fabrication for the part to be fabricated, the quote for fabrication including a cost and time to fabricate the part to be fabricated and sending the quote for fabrication to the customer.

Abstract: A method for providing a natural language interface for a computer-aided design (CAD) system includes receiving a user voice input comprising a plurality of words, parsing the user voice input, determining a meaning for the parsed user voice input, the meaning including one or more words associated with an object and one or more words associated with a characteristic of the object, retrieving from a model descriptor database at least an object model descriptor and at least a characteristic descriptor, using the determined meaning, generating at least a graphical model of the object using the at least an object model descriptor, and generating at least a modified graphical model of the object, using the at least a characteristic descriptor.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, software made in accordance with the present invention generates a request for quote (RFQ) based on user-provided information, presents a user interface allowing a user to customize the RFQ, generates an e-mail including the RFQ, and sends the e-mail to one or more suppliers. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: A method for generating a quote for fabrication of a part to be fabricated is disclosed. The method includes receiving, from a customer device associated with a customer, a design request for a part to be fabricated by a fabrication process. The design request includes a three-dimensional (3D) model file representing the part to be fabricated. The method further includes generating a feature vector for the part based on the model file and determining a total height of the part to be fabricated. Further, the method includes identifying one or more candidate orientations for the part to be fabricated and generating, as a function of a geometry of the part and a candidate orientation of the one or more candidate orientations, fabrication parameters for the part to be fabricated, wherein the fabrication parameters include a cost to fabricate the part and estimated completion date.

Abstract: A factory server receives part requests from customer devices and controls one or more manufacturing tools, such as 3D printers, to fabricate the requested parts. The factory server implements several features to streamline the process of fabricating parts using the manufacturing tools. For instance, the factory server can facilitate the design of a part by extracting features from the part request and identifying model files having those features. The factory server can also select an orientation in which to fabricate the part and determine print settings to use when fabricating the part. In addition, the factory server can implement a process to fabricate a three-dimensional part with a two-dimensional image applied to one or more of its external surfaces. Furthermore, the factory server can also generate a layout of multiple part instances on a build plate of a 3D printer so that multiple part instances can be fabricated at once.

Abstract: Methods and software facilitate supplier willingness awareness in a marketplace of suppliers of structures represented and/or specified in a design. In some embodiments, methods and software of the present disclosure allow each of any one or more designers participating in an automated marketplace to view a list of suppliers that are willing to fabricate a particular design and/or prices associated with fabricating such a design such that the designers can quickly and easily identify suppliers that are not only capable of fabricating particular designs but also willing to do so. Such a list may be generated by comparing a list of objective requirements for a design, which may be generated from fabrication data associated with a designer's request for price or computer aided design file, to willingness data associated with one or more suppliers.