Abstract: A computer-based method includes enabling a user to create or select a geometric entity in a design in a computer-aided design program, predicting a location and orientation in the design for a copy of the geometric entity, and displaying, as a suggestion to the user, a visual representation of the copy of the geometric entity in the predicted location and orientation in the design.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a digital representation of an image and generating CAD sketches from it. The number of surfaces in a CAD model depends upon the number entities at the sketch level. The method keeps the number of created sketch entities and constraints to a minimum. The method includes a scalable approach for a range of images. Each contour is represented by a sequence of points following a path corresponding to a boundary in the image. The method includes classifying each point in a particular one of the contours as a curve region or a corner region contour point, thereby segmenting the contour into plurality of curve regions separated by corner regions. The method includes optimally fitting a curve to each one of the curve regions to create the best possible representation of the curve region. Additionally, the refine algorithm automatically improves the fit wherever needed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a digital representation of an image and generating CAD sketches from it. The number of surfaces in a CAD model depends upon the number entities at the sketch level. The method keeps the number of created sketch entities and constraints to a minimum. The method includes a scalable approach for a range of images. Each contour is represented by a sequence of points following a path corresponding to a boundary in the image. The method includes classifying each point in a particular one of the contours as a curve region or a corner region contour point, thereby segmenting the contour into plurality of curve regions separated by corner regions. The method includes optimally fitting a curve to each one of the curve regions to create the best possible representation of the curve region. Additionally, the refine algorithm automatically improves the fit wherever needed.

Abstract: A computer-aided design (CAD) system and corresponding method enable users to manage and share information related to a three-dimensional (3D) context of a 3D CAD model with ease. The method creates a 3D-link targeting the 3D context. The 3D-link includes a static link and a variable link. The static link re-directs to the variable link in response to a user opening the 3D-link. The variable link enables (i) the 3D CAD model to be located and opened and (ii) the 3D context to be displayed within the 3D CAD model. The method stores the 3D-link in a database. The 3D-link enables the 3D context to be shared between or among users via sharing of the 3D-link from the database. The 3D-link plays an important role in helping design engineers collaborate by eliminating the need to create pictures or copies of 3D models that may become outdated.

Abstract: A method in a computer aided drafting application for replicating a component mating in a modeled assembly includes examining constraints and geometry surrounding a selected component of the component mating in a first surface of the assembly. A first descriptor with a plurality of numerical characteristics of the constraints and geometry is captured. The first descriptor is set as a first seed descriptor. A potential first target geometry in the region of the first face is examined and a first target descriptor is computed according to the first target geometry. If first seed descriptor matches the first target descriptor, an instance of a first target component is created according to the first target descriptor.

Abstract: A method for selecting a plurality of edges or faces of a displayed modeled object in a computer-aided design (CAD) system extracts a plurality of features, each feature including a measurable numeric property of one or more of edges or faces of the modeled object. The features are scaled, and a selection of a seed edge or a seed face is received. A suggested edge or face is chosen based upon the seed edge or seed face, and a graphical indication of the suggested edge or face is displayed on the modeled object.

Abstract: A method for mating a user selected first component of a computer aided drafting application assembly to a second component detects a user drag of the first component. A user pause of the drag for a predetermined interval is detected at a pause location. A plurality of first component surfaces and a plurality of second component surfaces are identified. The first component surfaces are compared with the second component surfaces, and a mating is suggested between a first component surface and a second component surface.

Abstract: A method in a computer aided drafting application for replicating a component mating in a modeled assembly includes examining constraints and geometry surrounding a selected component of the component mating in a first surface of the assembly. A first descriptor with a plurality of numerical characteristics of the constraints and geometry is captured. The first descriptor is set as a first seed descriptor. A potential first target geometry in the region of the first face is examined and a first target descriptor is computed according to the first target geometry. If first seed descriptor matches the first target descriptor, an instance of a first target component is created according to the first target descriptor.

Abstract: Methods and systems identify frequently-used CAD components and apply machine learning techniques to predict mateable entities and corresponding mate types for those components to automatically add components to a CAD model. An example method includes accessing information regarding CAD model parts and related mate information stored in a computer database, and dividing parts into a plurality of clusters having parts with similar global shape signatures. In response to a new part being added, contextual signatures of entities of the new part are input into a mateability predictor neural network to determine a mateable entity of the new part. Input into a mate-type predictor neural network is (i) a contextual signature of the mateable entity and (ii) a contextual signature of an entity of another part of the CAD model to determine a mate type between the entities. A mate between the new part and the other part is automatically added based on the determined mate type.

Abstract: A computer-aided design (CAD) system and corresponding method enable users to manage and share information related to a three-dimensional (3D) context of a 3D CAD model with ease. The method creates a 3D-link targeting the 3D context. The 3D-link includes a static link and a variable link. The static link re-directs to the variable link in response to a user opening the 3D-link. The variable link enables (i) the 3D CAD model to be located and opened and (ii) the 3D context to be displayed within the 3D CAD model. The method stores the 3D-link in a database. The 3D-link enables the 3D context to be shared between or among users via sharing of the 3D-link from the database. The 3D-link plays an important role in helping design engineers collaborate by eliminating the need to create pictures or copies of 3D models that may become outdated.

Abstract: A computer-based method includes enabling a user to create or select a geometric entity in a design in a computer-aided design program, predicting a location and orientation in the design for a copy of the geometric entity, and displaying, as a suggestion to the user, a visual representation of the copy of the geometric entity in the predicted location and orientation in the design.

Abstract: A method for selecting a plurality of edges or faces of a displayed modeled object in a computer-aided design (CAD) system extracts a plurality of features, each feature including a measurable numeric property of one or more of edges or faces of the modeled object. The features are scaled, and a selection of a seed edge or a seed face is received. A suggested edge or face is chosen based upon the seed edge or seed face, and a graphical indication of the suggested edge or face is displayed on the modeled object.

Abstract: Methods and systems identify frequently-used CAD components and apply machine learning techniques to predict mateable entities and corresponding mate types for those components to automatically add components to a CAD model. An example method includes accessing information regarding CAD model parts and related mate information stored in a computer database, and dividing parts into a plurality of clusters having parts with similar global shape signatures. In response to a new part being added, contextual signatures of entities of the new part are input into a mateability predictor neural network to determine a mateable entity of the new part. Input into a mate-type predictor neural network is (i) a contextual signature of the mateable entity and (ii) a contextual signature of an entity of another part of the CAD model to determine a mate type between the entities. A mate between the new part and the other part is automatically added based on the determined mate type.