Methods and Apparatuses for Preprocessing a CAD Drawing

Abstract

Methods and systems for preprocessing a drawing to enhance its usability for subsequent viewing or modification by simplifying information displayed in the drawing, reducing the size of the drawing file, and removing unnecessary data. The invention also includes a wizard function that can record many of the functions or steps taken by a user to modify a drawing and then be used to preprocess a similar type of drawing using the recorded functions and steps.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a utility patent application, taking priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 915,198, filed May 1, 2007.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is directed to methods, apparatuses / systems and software for preprocessing a drawing to enhance its usability for subsequent viewing or modification by simplifying information displayed in the drawing, reducing the size of the drawing file, and removing unnecessary data. The invention also includes a wizard function that can record many of the functions or steps taken by a user to modify a drawing and then be used to preprocess a similar type of drawing using the recorded functions and steps.STATEMENT AS TO THE RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0003]Not Applicable.REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT .DISK[0004]Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF T...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about methods, devices, and software for improving the usability of drawings by making them easier to view and modify. This is done by simplifying the information displayed in the drawing, reducing the size of the file, and removing unnecessary data. Additionally, the invention includes a wizard function that can record the steps taken by a user to modify a drawing and then use them to preprocess a similar type of drawing."

Problems solved by technology

The more complicated the object being illustrated, the more complicated the drawings illustrating that object.

The bigger and more complicated the object being illustrated, the greater the likelihood that CAD software, either 2D or 3D, will be used to do the design.

When the CAD drawing is in 3D, all of the subcontractors are in some cases required to work in 3D, which can be an issue for some subcontractors, who prefer to work in 2D.

Presently CAD programs do not provide users with the ability to design a drawing in 2D and then automatically convert that 2D drawing into the 3D.

While faster in some ways, this parallel process creates conflict problems, such as where a plumbing line input by one subcontractor conflicts with an HVAC duct input by another.

The subcontractor that created the conflict would then be expected to resolve it and submit a new drawing, but this is not as simple as it sounds.

Moving a pipe, duct or cable tray to resolve one conflict, may simply create more conflicts.

Likewise, simply knowing the distance by which a conflict occurs does not provide the subcontractor with all of the information necessary to completely resolve the conflict for any given area and not create others.

Thus, even though programs like JetStream can be helpful, they present less than a complete solution.

As a result of the parallel / collaborative design and review processes, and the extensive use of externally referenced data, the size of the computer files associated with the drawings can become very large, making sharing increasingly difficult.

And, the drawings can get very cluttered as a result of all of the different graphic objects, text references, etc.

Further adding to the size and complexity of the drawings are duplicated items.

Each hidden object of this type is unnecessary and can collectively add significant size to the drawing files.

When one of these CAD drawing files is opened by another design participant looking to perform further design work within that drawing, all of the other information contained within the drawing, much of which is unnecessary, can make the further work much more difficult.

To additionally complicate matters, many CAD software programs make it difficult to modify the drawing by erasing or turning off certain unnecessary features, and doing so can detrimentally affect other parts of the drawing.

In the process of adding M.E.P trade (“mechanical, electrical, plumbing” and other trade) designs to a base building or structural drawing, or revising a drawing in some other way, it is common to create conflicts between different objects within that drawing.

For example, when the HVAC ducts are added to the drawing, they may conflict (i.e., share the same physical space) with the frame, plumbing, electrical, etc.

Although it is known to identify conflicts, to provide information about where conflicts occur, and to provide conflict direction (a measurement of the amount of conflict between two objects), the tools provided to designers for identifying selected conflicts and resolving those conflicts leave much to be desired.

In a 2D drawing, this can be very difficult to do, but many designers are not comfortable designing in 3D on many CAD systems.

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