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 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-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 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: 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: 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.