Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, software made in accordance with the present invention displays a marketplace interface, which displays at least a portion of a CAD model and a set ofmarketplace tool selectors to a user such that the user can manipulate the tool selectors to interact with an electronic marketplace. The marketplace interface may include a spectrum interface designed and configured to allow the user to selectively augment the marketplace interface with additional functionality. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method carried out on a computer system for parsing a software model to identify manufacturing requirements for a designed product and comparing those requirements, along with received user preferences. to corresponding attribute information from potential suppliers that is stored on a database, so as to automatically select a preferred supplier.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, software made in accordance with the present invention displays a marketplace interface, which displays at least a portion of a CAD model and a set of marketplace tool selectors to a user such that the user can manipulate the tool selectors to interact with an electronic marketplace. The marketplace interface may include a spectrum interface designed and configured to allow the user to selectively augment the marketplace interface with additional functionality. Various corresponding and related systems, methods, and software are described.

Abstract: Methods and software that allow one or more users to utilize custom pricing in the context of an electronic marketplace. Such custom pricing can be implemented by transmitting specifications of custom pricing engines and/or custom design document interrogator engines to the marketplace along with or independently from one or more design documents containing structures to be priced. Various corresponding and related methods and software are described.

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 carried out on a computer system for receiving information corresponding to a plurality of variables that can be applied to the manufacture of a designed product. When a user selects from a menu of first attributes, related ones of a second set of attributes are presented for selection. In an embodiment, the set of possible manufacturing attributes is initially compared to attributes of the designed product to eliminate from consideration those manufacturing attributes that are not compatible with the attributes of the product.

Abstract: A natural language user interface for computer-aided design systems (CAD) comprises a natural language command module including a parser, language database and a CAD model analyzer, and a natural language server module including a second, increased capability parser, a second, preferably larger language database and a CAD context database. The CAD model analyzer analyzes and retrieves associated CAD model information related to a parsed voice command and the CAD context database provides specific CAD related contextual information to facilitate parsing and interpreting CAD specific commands. The natural language server program module may also include an artificial intelligence based query generator and communicate through a network or cloud with resource providers such as third party market places or suppliers to generate queries for retrieval of third party supplied information necessary to respond to or execute CAD specific voice commands.

Abstract: A method for providing assistance to users of computer programs. The computer system receives user inputs for utilizing the various functions of a computer program. The system records an amount of time during which said user utilizes the respective functions, such that when a user signals that assistance is needed, the system determines which of the program's functions have been most frequently used. The system then finds, and connects to the user, persons having expertise in those respective areas.

Abstract: A natural language user interface for computer-aided design systems (CAD) comprises a natural language command module including a parser, language database and a CAD model analyzer, and a natural language server module including a second, increased capability parser, a second, preferably larger language database and a CAD context database. The CAD model analyzer analyzes and retrieves associated CAD model information related to a parsed voice command and the CAD context database provides specific CAD related contextual information to facilitate parsing and interpreting CAD specific commands. The natural language server program module may also include an artificial intelligence based query generator and communicate through a network or cloud with resource providers such as third party market places or suppliers to generate queries for retrieval of third party supplied information necessary to respond to or execute CAD specific voice commands.