Slice view

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture display multiple slices of a three-dimensional body in a computer drawing application. A first view of a 3D body is displayed. One or more slice sketches are defined on the first view. A single slice view of the three dimensional body is displayed. The single slice view simultaneously depicts all of the slices with a zero-depth representation of each slice.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to computer aided designs (CAD), and in particular, to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for showing portions of drawing views as a “slice” in a computer drawing application.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]In the design of complex parts, users need the ability to show portions of Drawing Views as a “Slice” or zero-depth section. This is particularly important in industries where companies design machines to handle or interact with other companies' products. When the components have significant curvature, it's difficult to tell whether other components interfere (or fit correctly) by examining standard sketch or section views.[0005]Moreover, where parts and curvatures are complex, it's often beneficial to be able to create a series of slices through a set of parts at specific intervals. For example, such functionality is important in the design of product...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a feature that allows users to create and display slices of drawing views, which are useful in industries where companies design machines to handle or interact with the products of other companies. The feature also allows users to define multiple open profile sketches as slice lines of a three-dimensional body, which results in a single slice view that simultaneously depicts all the slice cutting surfaces with a zero-depth representation of each slice. Overall, the patent text provides a technical solution for enabling users to create and display slices of drawing views in a more efficient and precise manner.

Problems solved by technology

When the components have significant curvature, it's difficult to tell whether other components interfere (or fit correctly) by examining standard sketch or section views.

Section cuts, which typically show the elements both at, and behind cut elements, fail to provide sufficient clarity for complex parts.

However, such a practice would be very inefficient and the user may accidentally hide critical edges.

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