Abstract: A system with generalized representation conversion capabilities, including at least one computing device in a client-server structure. A user may operate the client computing device to use a computer-aided design (CAD) software to implement geometric models for multiple objects, and request data from the server. A data store at the server stores necessary information of the system, which includes master representation information of a plurality of master representations (MRs), each MR representing one or more objects. When the user requests an individual representation of a selected object, a conversion module at the server may obtain, from the data store, the master representation information corresponding to the MR of the selected object being requested, and convert the master representation information to individual representation information, which corresponds to the individual representation of the selected object.

Abstract: A computer-aided design (CAD) geometric modeling system, including a CAD software, a data store, a connector building module, a pairing module and an intelligent behavior module, all executable by at least one computing device. A user may use the CAD software to implement geometric models for multiple components. The data store stores necessary information of the system. The connector building module may add connectors on the components. The pairing module may identify a first component and at least one second component capable of matching the first component, and then identify connectors on the first and second components to match the first component to the second component by forming a matching pair of the identified connectors based on the pairing rules. The intelligent behavior module may receive the intelligent rules for the intelligent behaviors of the components of the matching pair, and invoke intelligent behaviors according to the intelligent rules.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of performing multi-user design negotiation on a computer-aided design (CAD) software is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, from a first user, a design change to the geometric shape design, and obtaining information of the design change implementable on a CAD model of the geometric shape design through the CAD software; storing the information of the design change as a design change suggestion (DCS) object; transmitting the DCS object, together with the CAD model, to a second user; and receiving, from the second user, an instruction to the DCS object, and performing an operation corresponding to the instruction to the DCS object. In response to a what-if instruction, the operation is a what-if operation to the geometric shape design with the design change according to the DCS object. In response to an accepting or rejection instruction, the operation includes accepting or rejecting the design change.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of performing multi-user design negotiation on a computer-aided design (CAD) software is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, from a first user, a design change to the geometric shape design, and obtaining information of the design change implementable on a CAD model of the geometric shape design through the CAD software; storing the information of the design change as a design change suggestion (DCS) object; transmitting the DCS object, together with the CAD model, to a second user; and receiving, from the second user, an instruction to the DCS object, and performing an operation corresponding to the instruction to the DCS object. In response to a what-if instruction, the operation is a what-if operation to the geometric shape design with the design change according to the DCS object. In response to an accepting or rejection instruction, the operation includes accepting or rejecting the design change.

Abstract: A computer program product (190), and a geometric modeling system which executes the program, provides a visual depiction of a three dimensional object upon a display device (158). The program (190) detects insertion of a generic movant solid shape into a scene for relating the movant sold shape to a target or host solid shape. Upon detection of insertion, the program configures data representative of one of the movant solid shape and the target solid shape. The representative data is configured so that one of the solid shapes of the relation is depicted on the display device as having a particular attribute(s) in accordance with (1) an attribute of the solid shape with which it relates; and/or (2) one or more predetermined rules. The program can configure the representative data of the movant solid shape in accordance with an attribute of the target solid shape in various ways (e.g.

Abstract: A computer program product executes in a computer workstation according to methods of the invention to provide editing handles for solid shapes. The computer program provides a graphical user interface in the preferred form of an icon which is visually associated with a selected displayed solid shape and which, when activated via a user input device, toggles or cycles through plural editing modes of the displayed shape. In the plural editing modes, other graphical user interfaces which include editing “handles” can be utilized to perform various editing functions, the handles of each editing mode having functions dependent upon the respective editing mode. The editing handles themselves are subject to novel employments and manipulations in accordance with aspects of the present invention.