Abstract: A designer of a CAD model is automatically notified when parameter limits or tolerances are violated during the iterative design process. The efficiency in the design of a complex model is much improved from the automatic notification, because it enables the user to detect violations of parameter limits and tolerances as soon as they occur.

Abstract: The invention includes computer instructions that operate to receive a request to generate an identifier in a computer aided design (CAD) application. Additionally, the instructions operate to determine if an input corresponds to a predetermined shape for the identifier, the input being a single variable input. Then, the instructions operate to generate the identifier with the predetermined shape based at least in part on the input. As a result, an improved way of generating geometric shapes for identifiers is facilitated.

Abstract: Computer instructions that operate to determine if one or more geometry pieces of a mechanical design are within a view boundary and automatically generate and order one or more identifiers corresponding to the geometry pieces within the view boundary, when executed, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the computer instructions are part of a mechanical design software application. In one embodiment, the mechanical design software application including the computer instructions are embodied in a distribution storage medium.

Abstract: The invention includes computer instructions that operate to receive a selection of a center of motion for an assembly of computer aided design (CAD) models of a mechanical design and a selection of a component of the assembly associated with the selected center of motion. Once the selections are received, a range of motion for the component is determined. Then, the computer instructions operate to receive a selection of an origin for a grid pattern, where the grid pattern is automatically generated based upon the determined range of motion. This automatically generated grid pattern is automatically displayed at the selected origin. In one embodiment, the computer instructions are part of a mechanical design software application. In one embodiment, the mechanical software application including the computer instructions is embodied in a distribution storage medium.

Abstract: Computer instructions that operate to determine if one or more geometry pieces of a mechanical design are within a view boundary and automatically generate and order one or more identifiers corresponding to the geometry pieces within the view boundary, when executed, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the computer instructions are part of a mechanical design software application. In one embodiment, the mechanical design software application including the computer instructions are embodied in a distribution storage medium.

Abstract: Computer instructions that operate to determine if one or more geometry pieces of a mechanical design are within a view boundary and automatically generate and order one or more identifiers corresponding to the geometry pieces within the view boundary, when executed, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the computer instructions are part of a mechanical design software application. In one embodiment, the mechanical design software application including the computer instructions are embodied in a distribution storage medium.

Abstract: The invention includes computer instructions that receive an indication of a manipulation of one or more graphical icons by a user, where the graphical icons are interrelated to one another representing a hierarchical relationship among multiple objects of one or more sheets, and the sheets are included within a drawing by a computer aided design (CAD) application program. The computer instructions operate to automatically modify at least sheet order information included within the objects of the one or more sheets reflecting the hierarchical relationship among the multiple objects of one or more sheets based, at least in part, upon the received indication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining design information corresponding to a design. In one embodiment, an electronic notebook for maintaining design information maintains information corresponding to a design, and follows the steps of receiving a request to add note information corresponding to the design, and automatically copying, in response to the request, at least a portion of the design to a note of the electronic notebook. As a result, detailed design information such as, but not limited to, design intent and design history is maintained throughout the development and manufacturing of the design, as well as other information if desired, for the design.