Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a definition of a version of a part family comprising a plurality of parts, each part having a same shape and a different respective size, wherein the definition includes a set of parameter values for each part of the part family; storing the definition along with other versions of the part family in either a parametric or parametric-independent format; receiving a request for the part family for a particular computer-aided design system; converting a latest version to a different format that is compatible with the particular computer-aided design system; and providing the converted part family in response to the request.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a definition of a version of a part family comprising a plurality of parts, each part having a same shape and a different respective size, wherein the definition includes a set of parameter values for each part of the part family; storing the definition along with other versions of the part family in either a parametric or parametric-independent format; receiving a request for the part family for a particular computer-aided design system; converting a latest version to a different format that is compatible with the particular computer-aided design system; and providing the converted part family in response to the request.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for modeling a variety of three-dimensional (3D) utility networks constructed from individual parts. In one embodiment, users may construct a utility network by selecting and assembling a network of inter-connected parts, where each part may be associated one or more design rules. When a part is placed within the model, the rules corresponding to the part may be applied. The network part rules may be configured to adjust the position, properties or attributes associated with a network part to comply with a rule. Alternatively, a user interface display may provide an indication of any network parts of a 3D model that violate a particular network part rule.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus and article of manufacture for modeling a variety of three-dimensional (3D) utility networks constructed from individual network part elements. In one embodiment, users may construct a utility network by selecting and assembling a network of inter-connected parts, where each part is selected from a pipe and structure list. Connectivity among parts is established through part placement. Structure and connected pipe properties may be managed as a single property set. As parts are placed in the utility network, auto-sizing logic resizes existing structures to connected pipes. Pipes and structures are represented by part model data that defines a set of common behavior and properties. When a user modifies part model data or property sets or moves inter-connected parts, a logic component resizes and automatically updates any associated two-dimensional and three-dimensional views of the utility network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for generating labels for drawing elements of a computer aided design (CAD) drawing that may include some unknown number of associated or related drawing elements. The method includes receiving a selection of a set of drawing elements in the CAD drawing that are associated with the first drawing element, receiving a selection of fields specifying attributes of the drawing elements in the set of drawing elements to use in generating label content for a label of the first drawing element, and defining a label style based on the selection of the set of drawing elements and the selection of attributes of the of the drawing elements in the set of drawing elements.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method for generating a curved pipe object in a computer-aided design drawing where the geometry of a curved pipe object is generally represented as a segment of a helix. A user selects a curved pipe creation method and a set of geometric attributes from which the helix parameters may be determined. From the helix parameters, a display representation of the curved pipe object may then be generated and displayed in the CAD drawing.