Abstract: A facility enables an external application program (EAP) to exchange data with a modeling program, such as a computer-aided design (CAD) program. The data may be parametric data used in parametric models of geometric objects in the CAD program. In one embodiment, the EAP registers with the CAD program to indicate that the EAP provides output data to the CAD program for use within a model. When the CAD program needs to reevaluate a model due to changes, the CAD program calls a callback that results from the registration of the EAP with the CAD program. The callback sends new input data to the EAP, causes the EAP to recalculate the output data and pass the new output data to the CAD program. The CAD program then integrates the new output data into the model so as to fully update the model.

Abstract: An analysis may be represented as a feature in a feature-based model of a geometric object. The analysis is integrated directly into the model and may be recalculated in response to changes made to the model. Additional features may be created that reference the analysis feature. Likewise, the model may include features that reference the analysis without directly incorporating the analysis into the model as a feature. The analysis may be a system-defined analysis, a user defined analysis or an external analysis.

Abstract: A modeling program allows a user to create macros for implementing user-defined functionaliy. The macros may, for example, perform an engineering analysis on a model. The macro uses features as macro language instructions. The macro may be applied to an arbitrary portion of any model because the representation of the features in the macro is generic.