Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design of physical structures using generative design processes. A method includes obtaining one or more design criteria for a modeled object including at least one design constraint; calculating a series of target values for the at least one design constraint, from an initial target value to a final target value; iteratively modifying a generatively designed three dimensional shape of the modeled object in the design space, wherein the iteratively modifying comprises performing numerical simulation of the modeled object, computing shape change velocities for an implicit surface in a level-set representation of the three dimensional shape in accordance with respective ones of target values in the series of target values, starting from the initial target value and ending with the final target value, and updating the level-set representation using the shape change velocities.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design and manufacture of physical structures include, in at least one aspect, a method including: obtaining a design space for a modeled object, load cases for physical simulation, and design criteria, wherein the modeled object includes specified geometry with which generatively designed geometry will connect, and wherein the load cases include at least one in-use load case for the physical structure and at least one subtractive-manufacturing load case associated with the specified geometry and with a subtractive manufacturing system; producing the generatively designed geometry in the design space for the modelled object in accordance with the load cases for physical simulation of the modelled object and the design criteria for the modeled object; and providing the modeled object with the generatively designed geometry for use in manufacturing the physical structure.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a stylization subsystem automatically modifies a three-dimensional (3D) object design. In operation, the stylization subsystem generates a simplified quad mesh based on an input triangle mesh that represents the 3D object design, a preferred orientation associated with at least a portion of the input triangle mesh, and mesh complexity constraint(s). The stylization subsystem then converts the simplified quad mesh to a simplified T-spline. Subsequently, the stylization subsystem creases one or more of edges included in the simplified T-spline to generate a stylized T-spline. Notably, the stylized T-spline represents a stylized design that is more convergent with the preferred orientation(s) than the 3D object design. Advantageously, relative to prior art approaches, the stylization subsystem can more efficiently modify the 3D object design to improve overall aesthetics and manufacturability.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design of physical structures using generative design processes, where three dimensional (3D) models of the physical structures can be produced to include lattices, hollows, holes, and combinations thereof, include: obtaining design criteria for an object; iteratively modifying 3D topology and shape(s) for the object using generative design process(es) that employ a macrostructure representation, e.g., using level-set method(s), in combination with physical simulation(s) that place void(s) in solid region(s) or solid(s) in void region(s) of the generative model of the object; and providing a 3D model of the generative design for the object for use in manufacturing a physical structure corresponding to the object using one or more computer-controlled manufacturing systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for designing three dimensional lattice structures include, in one aspect, a method including: obtaining a mechanical problem definition including a 3D model of an object; generating a numerical simulation model for the 3D model of the object using one or more loading cases and one or more isotropic solid materials identified as a baseline material model for a design space; predicting performance of different lattice settings in different orientations in the design space using a lattice structural behavior model in place of the baseline material model in the numerical simulation model; and presenting a set of lattice proposals for the design space based on the predicted performance of the different lattice settings in the different orientations; wherein the lattice structural behavior model has been precomputed for the different lattice settings, which are generable by the 3D modeling program.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating one or more variable stiffness structures includes determining a thickness of a first portion of a variable stiffness structure; determining a pressure that is to be applied to a surface of the first portion; selecting a first predetermined value for a stiffness attribute based on the thickness of the first portion and the pressure; and generating a model of at least part of the variable stiffness structure that includes the first portion, wherein the first portion has the predetermined value for the stiffness attribute.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for designing three dimensional lattice structures include, in one aspect, a method including: obtaining a mechanical problem definition including a 3D model of an object; generating a numerical simulation model for the 3D model of the object using one or more loading cases and one or more isotropic solid materials identified as a baseline material model for a design space; predicting performance of different lattice settings in different orientations in the design space using a lattice structural behavior model in place of the baseline material model in the numerical simulation model; and presenting a set of lattice proposals for the design space based on the predicted performance of the different lattice settings in the different orientations; wherein the lattice structural behavior model has been precomputed for the different lattice settings, which are generable by the 3D modeling program.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design and manufacture of physical structures include, in at least one aspect, a method including: obtaining a design space for a modeled object, load cases for physical simulation, and design criteria, wherein the modeled object includes specified geometry with which generatively designed geometry will connect, and wherein the load cases include at least one in-use load case for the physical structure and at least one subtractive-manufacturing load case associated with the specified geometry and with a subtractive manufacturing system; producing the generatively designed geometry in the design space for the modelled object in accordance with the load cases for physical simulation of the modelled object and the design criteria for the modeled object; and providing the modeled object with the generatively designed geometry for use in manufacturing the physical structure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design of physical structures using generative design processes, where three dimensional (3D) models of the physical structures are produced to include lattices and hollows, include: obtaining design criteria for an object; iteratively modifying 3D topology and shape(s) for the object using a generative design process that represents the 3D topology as one or more boundaries between solid(s) and void(s), in combination with physical simulation(s) with a hollow structure and a lattice representation; adjusting a thickness of the hollow structure; adjusting lattice thickness or density; and providing a 3D model of the generative design for the object for use in manufacturing a physical structure corresponding to the object using one or more computer-controlled manufacturing systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design of physical structures using data format conversion (e.g., of output(s) from generative design processes) and user interface techniques that facilitate the production of 3D models of physical structures that are readily usable with 2.5-axis subtractive manufacturing, include: modifying smooth curves, which have been fit to contours representing discrete height layers of an object, to facilitate the 2.5-axis subtractive manufacturing; preparing an editable model of the object using a parametric feature history, which includes a sketch feature, to combine extruded versions of the smooth curves to form a 3D model of the object in a boundary representation format; reshaping a subset of the smooth curves responsive to user input with respect to the sketch feature; and replaying the parametric feature history to reconstruct the 3D model of the object, as changed by the user input.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design of physical structures using generative design processes, where three dimensional (3D) models of the physical structures are produced to include lattices and hollows, include: obtaining design criteria for an object; iteratively modifying 3D topology and shape(s) for the object using a generative design process that represents the 3D topology as one or more boundaries between solid(s) and void(s), in combination with physical simulation(s) with a hollow structure and a lattice representation; adjusting a thickness of the hollow structure; adjusting lattice thickness or density; and providing a 3D model of the generative design for the object for use in manufacturing a physical structure corresponding to the object using one or more computer-controlled manufacturing systems.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the present invention, a blending engine blends multiple surfaces included in a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object. First, the blending engine trims off portions of the surfaces that are targeted for blending at trimming curves to generate trimmed surfaces. The blending engine then constructs a single parametric blending surface via a unified parametrization for the trimming curves. Notably, to achieve the unified parametrization, the blending engine performs one or more spherical parametrization operations that generate parametrized curves based on the trimming curves and a fundamental sphere. After constructing the parametric blending surface based on the parametrized curves, the blending engine joins the parametric blending surface to the trimmed surfaces to produce a final, smooth intersection between the surfaces.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a stylization subsystem automatically modifies a three-dimensional (3D) object design. In operation, the stylization subsystem generates a simplified quad mesh based on an input triangle mesh that represents the 3D object design, a preferred orientation associated with at least a portion of the input triangle mesh, and mesh complexity constraint(s). The stylization subsystem then converts the simplified quad mesh to a simplified T-spline. Subsequently, the stylization subsystem creases one or more of edges included in the simplified T-spline to generate a stylized T-spline. Notably, the stylized T-spline represents a stylized design that is more convergent with the preferred orientation(s) than the 3D object design. Advantageously, relative to prior art approaches, the stylization subsystem can more efficiently modify the 3D object design to improve overall aesthetics and manufacturability.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a stylization application generates designs that reflect stylistic preferences. In operation, the stylization application computes characterization information based on a first design and a trained machine-learning model that maps one or more designs to characterization information associated with one or more styles. The stylization application then computes a style score based on the characterization information and a target style that is included in the one or more styles. Subsequently, the stylization application generates a second design based on the style score, where the second design is more representative of the target style than the first design. Advantageously, because the stylization application can substantially increase the number of designs that can be generated based on the target style in a given amount of time, relative to more manual prior art techniques, the overall quality of the design ultimately selected for production can be improved.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a workflow application generates and evaluates designs that reflect stylistic preferences. In operation, the workflow application determines a target style based on input received via a graphical user interface (GUI). Notably, the target style characterizes a first set of designs. The workflow application then generates stylized design(s) based on stylization algorithm(s) associated with the target style. Subsequently, the workflow application, displays a subset of the stylized design(s) via the GUI. A stylized design included in the subset of stylized design(s) is ultimately selected for production via the GUI. Advantageously, because the workflow application can substantially increase the number of designs that can be generated and evaluated based on the target style in a given amount of time, relative to more manual prior art techniques, the overall quality of the stylized design selected for production can be improved.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for designing three dimensional lattice structures include, in one aspect, a method including: creating nodes in a plane normal to an axis in accordance with a spiral, wherein proper subsets of the nodes occur at successive radii positions away from the axis in the plane normal to the axis; repositioning every other one of the proper subsets, from at least a portion of the nodes, in a direction in 3D space along the axis; creating a three dimensional (3D) structure in the 3D space, the 3D structure comprising beams placed between the repositioned and non-repositioned proper subsets; duplicating the 3D structure one or more times to form a lattice in the 3D space; and selecting at least a portion of the lattice for inclusion in a 3D model.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for generating one or more designs for a structural frame, the method comprising: receiving an input frame and an optimization objective that indicates a design goal for the one or more designs; based on the input frame, generating multiple candidate frames via a divergent search algorithm; based on the optimization objective, generating a different solution frame for each candidate frame via a convergent search algorithm; and determining a quality factor for each solution frame that enables a quantitative comparison with respect to the optimization objective of the solution frame with each other solution frame.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for designing three dimensional lattice structures include, in one aspect, a method including: obtaining a mechanical problem definition including a 3D model of an object; generating a numerical simulation model for the 3D model of the object using one or more loading cases and one or more isotropic solid materials identified as a baseline material model for a design space; predicting performance of different lattice settings in different orientations in the design space using a lattice structural behavior model in place of the baseline material model in the numerical simulation model; and presenting a set of lattice proposals for the design space based on the predicted performance of the different lattice settings in the different orientations; wherein the lattice structural behavior model has been precomputed for the different lattice settings, which are generable by the 3D modeling program.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for designing three dimensional lattice structures include, in one aspect, a method including: calculating a radius of incidence for respective pairings of beams of different sizes that converge at a junction in a lattice; determining a maximized radius of incidence for each of the beams based on the radii of incidence for the pairings with that beam; comparing the maximized radii of incidence to find a global radius for the junction; calculating local intersection points and global intersection points, respectively, for each of the beams with a local sphere defined by the maximized radius of incidence for that beam and with a global sphere defined by the global radius for the junction; and generating meshing with sockets for the beams at the junction using the local intersection points and the global intersection points.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for designing three dimensional lattice structures include, in one aspect, a method including: calculating a radius of incidence for respective pairings of beams of different sizes that converge at a junction in a lattice; determining a maximized radius of incidence for each of the beams based on the radii of incidence for the pairings with that beam; comparing the maximized radii of incidence to find a global radius for the junction; calculating local intersection points and global intersection points, respectively, for each of the beams with a local sphere defined by the maximized radius of incidence for that beam and with a global sphere defined by the global radius for the junction; and generating meshing with sockets for the beams at the junction using the local intersection points and the global intersection points.