Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems for CAD data exchange, and in particular for creating boundary representations (“breps”) on a feature-by-feature basis are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the techniques described herein, a parameterized feature from a parametric based design system is exported from a source CAD system (404). Iterative steps and complimentary extraction techniques are employed by one or more processors (452, 456) to create an importable design model of the parameterized feature (433), which is imported into a target CAD system (408). While the techniques can include API (436), pattern matching (440), and user emulation (444) techniques, they include a brep per feature (450) technique. By exporting the brep on a per feature (453) basis from the source CAD system (404), the design intent of a CAD designer can be preserved on importation into the target CAD system (408).

Abstract: A user emulation module is operable to emulate generating a feature by a user by issuing graphical user interface based commands in a computer aided design system associated with either a source technical system or a target technical system. An associated pattern recognition module is operable to analyze a parametric feature definition from the source technical system and identify one or more parametric feature definitions in the target technical system that achieve an equivalent result.

Abstract: Computer implemented techniques for edge correlation between design objects in computer-aided design systems are provided. According to one embodiment, a source edge is exported from a source CAD system into a data representation in a global scene. The global scene is imported into a target CAD system so that one or more candidate target edges can be identified. Once the candidate target edges are identified, they are exported into a data representation of a local scene. Through a series of techniques, which can include an edge overlap algorithm, a region containment algorithm, an edge containment algorithm, and an edge extension algorithm, non-overlapping candidate target edges are removed from the local scene until a correlated set of target edges is produced. Design features, such a round or chamfer operation, can then be performed in the target CAD system on the correlated set of edges, just as they are in the source CAD system.

Abstract: Computer implemented techniques for correlating faces between source (104) and target (108) data models in computer aided design (CAD) systems are provided. The techniques can involve computer software, hardware, and data structures. According to one embodiment, a technique involves selecting a point (120) in the source data model (104) that is interior to at least one source face (106). Next, a normal (124) is computed based on the interior point (120) and the source face (106). A set of target faces (132) is identified that contain the interior point (120), then a target normal (138) to the interior point (120) is computed with respect to a target face (146) in the set of target faces (132). The target normal (140) is compared to the source normal (124). If they match, then the source and target faces can be correlated. Additional steps include collecting other edge-connected target faces, using the first selected target face (146) as a base.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems for CAD data exchange, and in particular for creating boundary representations (“breps”) on a feature-by-feature basis are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the techniques described herein, a parameterized feature from a parametric based design system is exported from a source CAD system (404). Iterative steps and complimentary extraction techniques are employed by one or more processors (452, 456) to create an importable design model of the parameterized feature (433), which is imported into a target CAD system (408). While the techniques can include API (436), pattern matching (440), and user emulation (444) techniques, they include a brep per feature (450) technique. By exporting the brep on a per feature (453) basis from the source CAD system (404), the design intent of a CAD designer can be preserved on importation into the target CAD system (408).