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: Embodiments relate to methods and systems for rendering display of a cursor at a progressive offset that is a function of distance traveled from an initial point of contact on a touch screen. One such example embodiment, first, identifies contact with a screen of a touch screen device. Next, movement of the identified contact through a succession of positions on the screen is detected. Then, in response to detecting the movement of the identified contact, display of a cursor is rendered in a graphical user interface (GUI) on the screen of the touch screen device at an offset distance away from current position of the contact where, the offset distance is proportional to length traveled of the detected movement.

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: Computer-aided design (CAD) models, and associated methods and systems, including topological and geometrical entities, graphical annotation information, and data structures storing non-native format semantic annotation information. Associated application programming interfaces (APIs) can include routines to return non-native format semantic annotation information stored in data structures associated with a native format CAD model. The APIs can include routines to identify whether annotations include data structures storing non-native format semantic annotation information, and to identify the types of the annotations. Graphical annotations can serve graphical display needs, while the semantic meanings from non-native CAD formats can be stored in placeholder data structures and, thus, be preserved. Manufacturing software applications can consume and act upon the semantic data via an API, thus, achieving automation benefits.

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: Improved CAD systems provide automatic generation of simplified and defeatured versions of complex 3D CAD models. The systems receive a 3D model representing a real-world object as an assembly. The model is formed of the assembly, plural components, and features. In response to user command, the systems select one or more components of the plural components. The systems apply a simplification operation to the selected one or more components. The simplification operation derives a simplified geometric entity (e.g., box, cylinder, solid 3D polygonal outline, or solid 3D tight fit outline) by projecting at least one silhouette outline that encloses the selected one or more components. The at least one projected silhouette outline excludes features of the selected one or more components from graphical view. The systems generate a simplified model from the derived simplified geometric entity. The systems may use the generated simplified model to replace components in 3D models.

Abstract: The invention notably relates to a computer-implemented method for designing a 3D modeled object by interaction of a user with a feature-based CAD system, the 3D modeled object representing a mechanical structure. The method comprises creating structural member features, each structural member feature representing a respective structural member of the mechanical structure, and displaying to the user a graphical representation of the mechanical structure based on the structural member features. The method further comprises creating corner features, each corner feature representing a respective corner of the mechanical structure, the creation of the corner features being performed automatically by the system, the corner features being editable by the user. This provides improved ergonomics for structural design.

Abstract: Methods and systems identify frequently-used CAD components and apply machine learning techniques to predict mateable entities and corresponding mate types for those components to automatically add components to a CAD model. An example method includes accessing information regarding CAD model parts and related mate information stored in a computer database, and dividing parts into a plurality of clusters having parts with similar global shape signatures. In response to a new part being added, contextual signatures of entities of the new part are input into a mateability predictor neural network to determine a mateable entity of the new part. Input into a mate-type predictor neural network is (i) a contextual signature of the mateable entity and (ii) a contextual signature of an entity of another part of the CAD model to determine a mate type between the entities. A mate between the new part and the other part is automatically added based on the determined mate type.

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 computer-implemented method and system enables the execution of multiple commands from a single gesture by detecting an object is touching a touchscreen device, timing the duration that the object remains on the surface of the touchscreen device, indicating the length of the duration, and executing one of two or more commands based on the length of the duration.

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.