Abstract: A computer-based system and method generate a movement of a 3D part of a 3D assembly in a 3D scene. Movement of the 3D part represents rotation by a predetermined angle. The method a) displays a 3D assembly of 3D parts in the 3D scene; b) selects a 3D part of the 3D assembly; and c) displays in the 3D scene a 3D manipulator. The 3D manipulator comprises three axes, and is anchored to the 3D part at an anchor point. The method then d) drags the 3D manipulator along one axis by a current distance from the anchor point on the axis. The predetermined angle corresponds to a maximum distance from the anchor point. The method e) while dragging the 3D manipulator, computes a ratio of the current distance to the maximum distance, and f) generates the movement of the 3D part proportionally to the ratio.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating an animation summarizing a design process of a three-dimensional object, comprising the steps of: a) acquiring design data during at least one design session; b) automatically identifying time points of said session or sessions corresponding to milestones of the design process, and storing data representing statuses of the three-dimensional object at said milestones; and c) generating and displaying an animation of the design process, including displaying a graphical representation of a timeline (B) providing access to milestone data. A computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable data-storage medium and computer system for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating and displaying an exploded view of a three-dimensional model of an assembly (A) of parts (01, 02, 03), the three-dimensional model having a hierarchical structure comprising a plurality of levels, the method comprising the steps of: a) displaying an unexploded view of the assembly; b) displaying a graphical tool (GT) representing the levels of the structure of the assembly and, for each level, an explosion ratio; c) receiving an input for selecting a level and an explosion ratio, and using the graphical tool for displaying them; d) displaying an exploded view of the assembly, wherein only groups of parts associated to higher levels than the selected one are taken apart. A computer program product, non-volatile computer-readable data-storage medium and computer system for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of drawing a polyline in a three-dimensional scene: a) draws a segment (S1) of said polyline in said three-dimensional scene, said segment having a starting point (P1) and an endpoint (P2); b) displays, in the three-dimensional scene, a graphical tool (PST) representing a set of three orthogonal planes (PLA, PLB, PLC), one of said planes being orthogonal to the segment; c) selects one of said planes; and d) draws another segment of the polyline (S2), having a starting point coinciding with the endpoint of the segment drawn in step a) and lying in the plane (PLA) selected in step c). Steps a), c) and d) are carried out based on input commands provided by a user. A computer program product, non-volatile computer-readable data-storage medium and Computer Aided Design or three-dimensional illustration authoring system carries out such a method.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method generate a movement of a 3D part of a 3D assembly in a 3D scene. Movement of the 3D part represents rotation by a predetermined angle. The method a) displays a 3D assembly of 3D parts in the 3D scene; b) selects a 3D part of the 3D assembly; and c) displays in the 3D scene a 3D manipulator. The 3D manipulator comprises three axes, and is anchored to the 3D part at an anchor point. The method then d) drags the 3D manipulator along one axis by a current distance from the anchor point on the axis. The predetermined angle corresponds to a maximum distance from the anchor point. The method e) while dragging the 3D manipulator, computes a ratio of the current distance to the maximum distance, and f) generates the movement of the 3D part proportionally to the ratio.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining exploded path of an exploded view of an assembly of three-dimensional modeled objects comprising the steps of displaying (1) in a main frame an exploded view of the assembly in a scene; computing (2) at least one set of exploded paths, an exploded path corresponding to a set of at least one exploded line linking at least one object of the assembly; displaying (3) a list of thumbnails, a thumbnail corresponding to at least one possible set of computed exploded paths of the assembly; selecting (4) one thumbnail among the list of thumbnails; and displaying (5) the selected thumbnail.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating an animation summarizing a design process of a three-dimensional object, comprising the steps of: a) acquiring design data during at least one design session; b) automatically identifying time points of said session or sessions corresponding to milestones of the design process, and storing data representing statuses of the three-dimensional object at said milestones; and c) generating and displaying an animation of the design process, including displaying a graphical representation of a timeline (B) providing access to milestone data. A computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable data-storage medium and computer system for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method displays an assembly of digitally modeled objects in a three-dimensional scene, by the steps of: defining at least one object of the assembly as being revealable; generating a graphical representation of the assembly wherein said revealable object is located at least partially behind at least another object, called hiding object, and displaying said graphical representation; using a graphical tool selecting a region of said graphical representation of the assembly, called a revealing zone; and rendering a three-dimensional scene comprising a three-dimensional representation of the assembly wherein a portion of the revealable object located behind the hiding object and comprised within the revealing zone is shown by transparency through said hiding object. A computer program product, a non-volatile computer-readable data-storage medium and a Computer Aided Design system for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating and displaying an exploded view of a three-dimensional model of an assembly (A) of parts (01, 02, 03), the three-dimensional model having a hierarchical structure comprising a plurality of levels, the method comprising the steps of: a) displaying an unexploded view of the assembly; b) displaying a graphical tool (GT) representing the levels of the structure of the assembly and, for each level, an explosion ratio; c) receiving an input for selecting a level and an explosion ratio, and using the graphical tool for displaying them; d) displaying an exploded view of the assembly, wherein only groups of parts associated to higher levels than the selected one are taken apart. A computer program product, non-volatile computer-readable data-storage medium and computer system for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for manipulating three-dimensional modeled objects of an assembly in a three-dimensional scene comprising the steps of: displaying a three-dimensional bounding box (BB) encompassing at least one three-dimensional object, a face of the surface of the bounding box (BB) comprising a plurality of interactive surfaces which are parts of the face; hovering pointing means (PM) on the bounding box (BB); and if at least one face of the surface of the bounding box (BB) is displayed such that its interactive surfaces are not accessible for the pointing means (PM), displaying a wider surface (WS) that allows accessibility of said interactive surfaces.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of drawing a polyline in a three-dimensional scene: a) draws a segment (S1) of said polyline in said three-dimensional scene, said segment having a starting point (P1) and an endpoint (P2); b) displays, in the three-dimensional scene, a graphical tool (PST) representing a set of three orthogonal planes (PLA, PLB, PLC), one of said planes being orthogonal to the segment; c) selects one of said planes; and d) draws another segment of the polyline (S2), having a starting point coinciding with the endpoint of the segment drawn in step a) and lying in the plane (PLA) selected in step c). Steps a), c) and d) are carried out based on input commands provided by a user. A computer program product, non-volatile computer-readable data-storage medium and Computer Aided Design or three-dimensional illustration authoring system carries out such a method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method displays an assembly of digitally modeled objects in a three-dimensional scene, by the steps of: defining at least one object of the assembly as being revealable; generating a graphical representation of the assembly wherein said revealable object is located at least partially behind at least another object, called hiding object, and displaying said graphical representation; using a graphical tool selecting a region of said graphical representation of the assembly, called a revealing zone; and rendering a three-dimensional scene comprising a three-dimensional representation of the assembly wherein a portion of the revealable object located behind the hiding object and comprised within the revealing zone is shown by transparency through said hiding object. A computer program product, a non-volatile computer-readable data-storage medium and a Computer Aided Design system for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for manipulating three-dimensional modeled objects of an assembly in a three-dimensional scene, comprising the steps of: determining at least a first set of at least one object and a second set of at least one object among said three-dimensional modeled objects of the assembly; grouping the at least one object of the first set in a first three-dimensional bounding box (BB) and the at least one object of the second set in a second three-dimensional bounding box (BB); and relatively reorganizing the bounding boxes (BB).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining exploded path of an exploded view of an assembly of three-dimensional modeled objects comprising the steps of displaying (1) in a main frame an exploded view of the assembly in a scene; computing (2) at least one set of exploded paths, an exploded path corresponding to a set of at least one exploded line linking at least one object of the assembly; displaying (3) a list of thumbnails, a thumbnail corresponding to at least one possible set of computed exploded paths of the assembly; selecting (4) one thumbnail among the list of thumbnails; and displaying (5) the selected thumbnail.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for manipulating three-dimensional modeled objects of an assembly in a three-dimensional scene comprising the steps of: displaying a three-dimensional bounding box (BB) encompassing at least one three-dimensional object, a face of the surface of the bounding box (BB) comprising a plurality of interactive surfaces which are parts of the face; hovering pointing means (PM) on the bounding box (BB); and if at least one face of the surface of the bounding box (BB) is displayed such that its interactive surfaces are not accessible for the pointing means (PM), displaying a wider surface (WS) that allows accessibility of said interactive surfaces.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for manipulating three-dimensional modeled objects of an assembly in a three-dimensional scene, comprising the steps of: determining at least a first set of at least one object and a second set of at least one object among said three-dimensional modeled objects of the assembly; grouping the at least one object of the first set in a first three-dimensional bounding box (BB) and the at least one object of the second set in a second three-dimensional bounding box (BB); and relatively reorganizing the bounding boxes (BB).

Abstract: A computer-aided design station for use in computer-aided design of a modeled object includes a display device configured to display the modeled object and at least one secondary object in a viewing area, an interface device configured to receive user inputs relating to the modeled object and the viewing area, and a processor operably coupled to the display device and the interface device. The processor is configured to cause the display device to display an alignment tool in the viewing area in response to user input and cause the display device to display at least one attach point of the secondary object in response to user input. The processor is also configured to detect when the alignment tool is moved to a position within a first preselected distance from the secondary object and automatically align the secondary object with respect to the alignment tool.

Abstract: A computer-aided design station for use in computer-aided design of a modeled object includes a display device configured to display the modeled object and at least one secondary object in a viewing area, an interface device configured to receive user inputs relating to the modeled object and the viewing area, and a processor operably coupled to the display device and the interface device. The processor is configured to cause the display device to display an alignment tool in the viewing area in response to user input and cause the display device to display at least one attach point of the secondary object in response to user input. The processor is also configured to detect when the alignment tool is moved to a position within a first preselected distance from the secondary object and automatically align the secondary object with respect to the alignment tool.