Abstract: A computer-based method includes enabling a user to create or select a geometric entity in a design in a computer-aided design program, predicting a location and orientation in the design for a copy of the geometric entity, and displaying, as a suggestion to the user, a visual representation of the copy of the geometric entity in the predicted location and orientation in the design.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a digital representation of an image and generating CAD sketches from it. The number of surfaces in a CAD model depends upon the number entities at the sketch level. The method keeps the number of created sketch entities and constraints to a minimum. The method includes a scalable approach for a range of images. Each contour is represented by a sequence of points following a path corresponding to a boundary in the image. The method includes classifying each point in a particular one of the contours as a curve region or a corner region contour point, thereby segmenting the contour into plurality of curve regions separated by corner regions. The method includes optimally fitting a curve to each one of the curve regions to create the best possible representation of the curve region. Additionally, the refine algorithm automatically improves the fit wherever needed.

Abstract: A 3D modeled CAD object is flattened to a two dimensional 2D representation while maintaining a user selected wiring component represented in 3D. A user selected 3D component has a connector and a route segment with at least one stored sketch segment. A 3D and 2D tangent are calculated at a junction point of the route segment. A translation and rotation transformation is calculated to align the 2D and 3D tangents at the junction point. A calculated transformation matrix based on the translation and rotation transformation is used to display a flattened unconnected route segment aligned with the user selected 3D component.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) backshell component is flattened to a two dimensional (2D) representation while maintaining a connected wiring component in 3D. Sketch segments for a curved 3D backshell connected first route segment within the backshell housing are stored. A first tangent is computed for a first entry point at a first end point of the connected first route segment, and a flattened route is calculated for route segments unconnected to the backshell. A flattened route position and a second tangent are calculated for a second route segment connected with the first route segment at a second entry point corresponding to the first entry point. The first entry point and the second entry point are aligned, and the first tangent and the second tangent are aligned, and the flattened unconnected route segment aligned with the 3D backshell component is displayed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating a flattened version of a three-dimensional electrical harness assembly design in a computer-aided design environment. The method includes storing data in computer memory including route segment identifiers, diameters, lengths, and end points for route segments in the electrical harness assembly. A computer processor designates route segments as forming a trunk line of the electrical harness assembly, based on the stored data, and produces a flattened two-dimensional version of the design. All the route segments designated as forming the trunk line are represented in the flattened 2D version by straight connected lines, having a particular orientation (e.g., horizontal), and every other route segment is represented as extending out from the trunk line. The flattened 2D version is displayed on a display screen of a computer.

Abstract: A computer-aided design (CAD) system and corresponding method enable users to manage and share information related to a three-dimensional (3D) context of a 3D CAD model with ease. The method creates a 3D-link targeting the 3D context. The 3D-link includes a static link and a variable link. The static link re-directs to the variable link in response to a user opening the 3D-link. The variable link enables (i) the 3D CAD model to be located and opened and (ii) the 3D context to be displayed within the 3D CAD model. The method stores the 3D-link in a database. The 3D-link enables the 3D context to be shared between or among users via sharing of the 3D-link from the database. The 3D-link plays an important role in helping design engineers collaborate by eliminating the need to create pictures or copies of 3D models that may become outdated.

Abstract: A computer-based method is disclosed for creating and/or editing a feature control frame (FCF) for geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T) of a model in a computer-aided design (CAD) program. The method includes displaying, in a graphics area of the CAD program, a cell of a FCF for a geometric feature of the model, displaying a context menu adjacent to the cell of the FCF, wherein the context menu comprises a first plurality of user-selectable input options associated with GD&T information for the geometric feature, receiving a user selection of one of the first plurality of user-selectable input options, and subsequently presenting a second plurality of user-selectable input options associated with GD&T information for the geometric feature. The options included in the second plurality of user-selectable input options depend, at least in part, on which of the first plurality of user-selectable input options the user selected.

Abstract: A method in a computer aided drafting application for replicating a component mating in a modeled assembly includes examining constraints and geometry surrounding a selected component of the component mating in a first surface of the assembly. A first descriptor with a plurality of numerical characteristics of the constraints and geometry is captured. The first descriptor is set as a first seed descriptor. A potential first target geometry in the region of the first face is examined and a first target descriptor is computed according to the first target geometry. If first seed descriptor matches the first target descriptor, an instance of a first target component is created according to the first target descriptor.

Abstract: A method for selecting a plurality of edges or faces of a displayed modeled object in a computer-aided design (CAD) system extracts a plurality of features, each feature including a measurable numeric property of one or more of edges or faces of the modeled object. The features are scaled, and a selection of a seed edge or a seed face is received. A suggested edge or face is chosen based upon the seed edge or seed face, and a graphical indication of the suggested edge or face is displayed on the modeled object.

Abstract: A method preserves shapes in a solid model when distributing material during topological optimization. A 3D geometric model of a part having a boundary shape is received. The geometric model is pre-processed to produce a variable-void distance field and to produce a frozen distance field representing the boundary shape. The geometric model is apportioned into a plurality of voxels, and a density value is adjusted for each voxel according to an optimization process. An iso-surface mesh is extracted from the voxel data, and an iso-surface distance field is generated from the extracted iso-surface mesh. A distance field intersection is derived between the iso-surface distance field and the variable-void distance field. A distance field union is performed between the distance field intersection and the frozen distance field, and a result iso-surface mesh is produced from the distance field union.

Abstract: Mating virtual objects in virtual reality environment, involves generating a bounding box having a plurality of faces corresponding to a plurality of exterior surfaces of a subject virtual object. A spatial mesh corresponding to surfaces of the real world environment is generated. A magnetic mate is generated to initially align a bounding box first face to a first spatial mesh surface. A shadow mate is provided between a bounding box second face and a second spatial mesh surface, by projecting a virtual ray from the subject virtual object bounding box second face toward the second spatial mesh surface, determining a mate point corresponding to an intersection of the virtual ray and the second spatial mesh surface, and displaying a mating button in the virtual reality environment at the mate point.

Abstract: A method preserves shapes in a solid model when distributing material during topological optimization. A 3D geometric model of a part having a boundary shape is received. The geometric model is pre-processed to produce a variable-void mesh and to produce a frozen mesh representing the boundary shape. The geometric model is apportioned into a plurality of voxels, and a density value is adjusted for each voxel according to an optimization process. An iso-surface mesh is extracted from the voxel data, and a mesh Boolean intersection is derived between the extracted iso-surface mesh and the variable-void mesh. A mesh Boolean union between the mesh Boolean intersection and the frozen mesh.

Abstract: A method preserves shapes in a solid model when distributing material during topological optimization. A 3D geometric model of a part having a boundary shape is received. The geometric model is pre-processed to produce a variable-void mesh and to produce a frozen mesh representing the boundary shape. The geometric model is apportioned into a plurality of voxels, and a density value is adjusted for each voxel according to an optimization process. An iso-surface mesh is extracted from the voxel data, and a mesh Boolean intersection is derived between the extracted iso-surface mesh and the variable-void mesh. A mesh Boolean union between the mesh Boolean intersection and the frozen mesh.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and systems allow adding constraints (“mates”) between components of the CAD model when in a graphics mode (i.e., when bodies of the CAD model are not loaded). Information regarding CAD model entities is accessed from a computer database, where the CAD model entities belong to one or more components of the subject CAD model. A graphical representation of the subject CAD model is presented to a user without loading bodies of the subject CAD model. The user is enabled to add a constraint between first and second entities of the subject CAD model, and information for the added constraint is stored with the subject CAD model in the computer database. Displaying the model in graphics mode saves time as well as memory usage, and the added constraints persistent after resolving the components from the graphics mode.

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 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.