Abstract: A system with generalized representation conversion capabilities, including at least one computing device in a client-server structure. A user may operate the client computing device to use a computer-aided design (CAD) software to implement geometric models for multiple objects, and request data from the server. A data store at the server stores necessary information of the system, which includes master representation information of a plurality of master representations (MRs), each MR representing one or more objects. When the user requests an individual representation of a selected object, a conversion module at the server may obtain, from the data store, the master representation information corresponding to the MR of the selected object being requested, and convert the master representation information to individual representation information, which corresponds to the individual representation of the selected object.

Abstract: A computer-aided design (CAD) geometric modeling system, including a CAD software, a data store, a connector building module, a pairing module and an intelligent behavior module, all executable by at least one computing device. A user may use the CAD software to implement geometric models for multiple components. The data store stores necessary information of the system. The connector building module may add connectors on the components. The pairing module may identify a first component and at least one second component capable of matching the first component, and then identify connectors on the first and second components to match the first component to the second component by forming a matching pair of the identified connectors based on the pairing rules. The intelligent behavior module may receive the intelligent rules for the intelligent behaviors of the components of the matching pair, and invoke intelligent behaviors according to the intelligent rules.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of performing multi-user design negotiation on a computer-aided design (CAD) software is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, from a first user, a design change to the geometric shape design, and obtaining information of the design change implementable on a CAD model of the geometric shape design through the CAD software; storing the information of the design change as a design change suggestion (DCS) object; transmitting the DCS object, together with the CAD model, to a second user; and receiving, from the second user, an instruction to the DCS object, and performing an operation corresponding to the instruction to the DCS object. In response to a what-if instruction, the operation is a what-if operation to the geometric shape design with the design change according to the DCS object. In response to an accepting or rejection instruction, the operation includes accepting or rejecting the design change.

Abstract: A system with generalized representation conversion capabilities, including at least one computing device in a client-server structure. A user may operate the client computing device to use a computer-aided design (CAD) software to implement geometric models for multiple objects, and request data from the server. A data store at the server stores necessary information of the system, which includes master representation information of a plurality of master representations (MRs), each MR representing one or more objects. When the user requests an individual representation of a selected object, a conversion module at the server may obtain, from the data store, the master representation information corresponding to the MR of the selected object being requested, and convert the master representation information to individual representation information, which corresponds to the individual representation of the selected object.

Abstract: A computer-aided design (CAD) geometric modeling system, including a CAD software, a data store, a connector building module, a pairing module and an intelligent behavior module, all executable by at least one computing device. A user may use the CAD software to implement geometric models for multiple components. The data store stores necessary information of the system. The connector building module may add connectors on the components. The pairing module may identify a first component and at least one second component capable of matching the first component, and then identify connectors on the first and second components to match the first component to the second component by forming a matching pair of the identified connectors based on the pairing rules. The intelligent behavior module may receive the intelligent rules for the intelligent behaviors of the components of the matching pair, and invoke intelligent behaviors according to the intelligent rules.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of performing multi-user design negotiation on a computer-aided design (CAD) software is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, from a first user, a design change to the geometric shape design, and obtaining information of the design change implementable on a CAD model of the geometric shape design through the CAD software; storing the information of the design change as a design change suggestion (DCS) object; transmitting the DCS object, together with the CAD model, to a second user; and receiving, from the second user, an instruction to the DCS object, and performing an operation corresponding to the instruction to the DCS object. In response to a what-if instruction, the operation is a what-if operation to the geometric shape design with the design change according to the DCS object. In response to an accepting or rejection instruction, the operation includes accepting or rejecting the design change.

Abstract: A computer program product (190), and a geometric modeling system which executes the program, provides a visual depiction of a three dimensional object upon a display device (158). The program (190) detects insertion of a generic movant solid shape into a scene for relating the movant sold shape to a target or host solid shape. Upon detection of insertion, the program configures data representative of one of the movant solid shape and the target solid shape. The representative data is configured so that one of the solid shapes of the relation is depicted on the display device as having a particular attribute(s) in accordance with (1) an attribute of the solid shape with which it relates; and/or (2) one or more predetermined rules. The program can configure the representative data of the movant solid shape in accordance with an attribute of the target solid shape in various ways (e.g.

Abstract: A computer program product (190), and a geometric modeling system which executes the program, provides a visual depiction of a three dimensional object upon a display device (158). The program (190) detects insertion of a generic movant solid shape into a scene for relating the movant sold shape to a target or host solid shape. Upon detection of insertion, the program configures data representative of one of the movant solid shape and the target solid shape. The representative data is configured so that one of the solid shapes of the relation is depicted on the display device as having a particular attribute(s) in accordance with (1) an attribute of the solid shape with which it relates; and/or (2) one or more predetermined rules. The program can configure the representative data of the movant solid shape in accordance with an attribute of the target solid shape in various ways (e.g.

Abstract: A computer program product executes in a computer workstation according to methods of the invention to provide editing handles for solid shapes. The computer program provides a graphical user interface in the preferred form of an icon which is visually associated with a selected displayed solid shape and which, when activated via a user input device, toggles or cycles through plural editing modes of the displayed shape. In the plural editing modes, other graphical user interfaces which include editing “handles” can be utilized to perform various editing functions, the handles of each editing mode having functions dependent upon the respective editing mode. The editing handles themselves are subject to novel employments and manipulations in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: A three dimensional geometric modeling system featuring an executable program (400) allows a user to select and then drag and drop sheet metal solid shapes into a scene or assembly depicted on a display screen. The user selects the sheet metal solid shapes from a sheet metal catalog (300), thereby creating an instance of a program object for the selected solid shape. A program object (1302) for a sheet metal solid shape carries an application-specific or customized procedure (1000) which governs the drag and drop behavior of the sheet metal solid shape. Implementation of the application-specific or customized drag and drop procedure occurs upon detection of a special interface through which the program object for the sheet metal solid shape acquires environmental information.

Abstract: A computer program product (400) and system executing/implementing the same provides a visual depiction of a part or assembly or scene (200) upon a display device. Upon execution, the program establishes for the system (1) a design flow system (404) comprising an object for each of one or more shapes, and (2) a modeling kernel (410). The modeling kernel comprises multiple concurrently available geometric engine types (432). The program enables performance of operations upon differing shapes in a same assembly, the differing shapes being generated by differing geometric engine types and the operations upon the assembly being performed by invoking the concurrently available geometric engine types in the modeling kernel. The the design flow system of the program also facilitates section of which of the multiple geometric engine types should attempt to perform an operation with respect to the one or more shapes.

Abstract: A computer program product and system executing/implementing the same provides a visual depiction of a three dimensional object upon a display device. The program converts feature-based data structure of a designated solid shape to a direct face data structure of the designated solid shape in a manner to keep a history of the three dimensional object consistent with a resulting boundary representation component of the three dimensional object.