Abstract: A method for modifying an object design using a computer comprises the steps of: selecting a first sub-design of the object design comprising a first free form deformation geometry and a first free deformation control volume that is variable and adaptive; choosing a second sub-design comprising a second free form deformation geometry; and replacing the first geometry with the second geometry.

Abstract: An improved method for optimizing a design, based on direct manipulations of the object points of a design. In addition, the number and modifications of control points is kept as minimal as possible while the targeted movement of object points is realized and the automatic adaptation and generation of a set of control points for deformations which allows the movement of object points to desired positions. One aspect of the invention is to generate the transformation function ƒ which is optimized to be able to realize desired changes of object parameters by means of control point variations. This optimization can be realized in a way that the mapping between the original coordinate system of the design and the spline coordinate system is not changed, so that no additional “freezing” process (the generation of the mapping between the coordinate systems) is necessary.

Abstract: An improved optimization of a design, based on direct manipulations of the object points of a design where the number and modifications of control points is kept as minimal as possible while the targeted movement of object points is realized.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for representation of designs using a basic design which is then modified by a transformation function. In free form deformation techniques the transformation function is defined by a spline function which transforms the space in which the design is defined into a second space where the new modified design is defined. During the design process the parameters of the spline function determine the parameters of the transformation function. While using Evolution Strategies, parameters of the spline function also determine the parameters the optimization algorithm works in. In order to adapt the transformation function optimally to the given problem and the necessary modification a mutation operator is proposed which allows introduction and deletion of control points. Instead of the standard mutation operator in evolution strategies this mutation operator works on the representation of the problem/design.