Calculation of metrics on set of geometric elements of modeled object

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for calculating a metric of a set of geometric elements of a modeled object is provided. The method includes displaying a modeled object and selecting a first geometric element of the modeled object. The method also includes displaying at least one icon representing a computable metric. The icon is selected according to a first geometric element. The method further includes selecting a second geometric element of the modeled object, calculating a metric represented by the at least one icon based on the selected first and second geometric elements. A value of the calculated metric is then displayed.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of application number 201610689248.2 filed on July 15, 2016, entitled “Computation of metrics for a set of geometric elements of a modeled object”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the technical field of computer programs and systems, and more particularly to a method for computing metrics between geometric elements of a modeled object. Background Art

[0003] A large number of systems and programs are offered on the market for the design, operation and manufacture of objects.

[0004] CAD is an acronym for Computer Aided Design, e.g. it relates to software solutions for designing objects. CAE is an acronym for Computer Aided Engineering, e.g. it relates to software solutions for simulating the physical properties of future products. CAM is an acronym for Computer Aided Manufacturing, e.g. it relates to software solutions for defining manufacturing processes and operations. In such computer-aided design systems, graphical user interfaces play an important role in the efficiency of the technologies. These technologies can be embedded in product lifecycle management (PLM) systems. PLM refers to a business strategy that spans the concept of the extended enterprise, helping companies share product data, apply common processes and leverage corporate knowledge for product development from concept to end-of-life.

[0005] The PLM solution provided by Dassault Systèmes (trademarks CATIA, ENOVIA, and DELMIA) offers an Engineering Center for organizing product engineering knowledge, a Manufacturing Center for managing manufacturing engineering knowledge, and an Enterprise Center that enables integration and connectivity between the engineering and manufacturing centers. Together, these systems deliver an open object model linking products, processes, and resources to enable dynamic, knowledge-based product creation and decision support that drives optimized product definition, manufacturing preparation, production, and service.

[0006] CAD software can provide authoring tools, which are software packages that developers use to create and package content that can be delivered to end users. For example, a designed object can be inserted (or converted) into a file that contains a technical description of the product that includes the designed object. Authoring tools thus allow the export and import of modeled objects into files, but further allow reviewers to expand the modeled objects by adding annotations. A typical example is the creation of a user guide (or manual) for an authoring tool, in which objects designed using the CAD application software are presented in 2D or 3D form.

[0007] In CAD systems and authoring programs, users need to perform measurements on modeled objects. CAD systems provide various tools for measuring or displaying product measurements, such as those for 3D models. The term "metric" is generally defined as a value that evaluates the relationship between entities. For example, the length of a line is a measurement between two entities. As another example, an angle is a measurement between three entities.

[0008] Known methods for performing a measurement involve selecting 1) the measurement type, 2) the entities involved in the measurement, and 3) the final calculation of the measurement value. For example, calculating the distance between two points on an object involves the user selecting a command to measure the length of a straight line between the two points, further selecting two points on the modeled object, and displaying a value representing the straight-line distance between the two selected points. If the user wishes to display a new measurement, they must perform all of these steps again.

[0009] This approach has several drawbacks. First, there is a command for each type of measurement. As a result, there are clearly too many commands, and users waste a significant amount of time searching for the correct command. A second problem is that commands are presented in a menu that must be displayed. This is particularly problematic on mobile devices (e.g., tablets) because commands are displayed in an action bar that fills a significant portion of the graphical user interface (GUI): for example, the modeled objects on the GUI are partially obscured. A third problem is that the user needs to recall the action bar each time they select a command: in practice, the action bar is often hidden to free up the GUI, such as the full view of the modeled objects displayed within the GUI. Another issue is mouse clicks and number of clicks. To measure the length of a line in the example above, the user must move the mouse to a dedicated section of the GUI to unhide the action bar, then search for the command among multiple commands, then move the mouse to the correct command, click it, move the mouse to the first point of the modeled object, select it, then move the mouse to the second point of the modeled object, and select it. Another problem is that each measurement is stored independently: it is impossible to modify an already stored measurement, and it is impossible to reuse some (or all) of an already used measurement. This is problematic because the amount of information stored in a database increases with the number of metrics stored therein.

[0010] In this context, there remains a need for improved methods for calculating metrics between geometric elements of modeled objects. Preferably, the method reduces user input for performing the metrics and the amount of space used to store the metrics. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention therefore provides a computer-implemented method for calculating a metric for a set of geometric elements of a modeled object. The method comprises displaying the modeled object, selecting a first geometric element of the modeled object, displaying at least one icon representing a metric that can be calculated, the at least one icon being selected based on the first geometric element, selecting a second geometric element of the modeled object, calculating the metric represented by the at least one icon based on the selected first and second geometric elements, and displaying the value of the calculated metric.

[0012] The method may further comprise:

[0013] - the display of the calculated metric value includes displaying the calculated metric value on a label;

[0014] - after selection of the first geometrical element: creating an object storing properties characterizing the calculated metric;

[0015] - properties of the object are selected from: identifier; creation date; measurement value; anchor of the measurement; pointer to the modeled object; graphical properties; position of the label of the value shown in the display step;

[0016] - the modeled object is a two-dimensional modeled object or a three-dimensional modeled object;

[0017] - prior to the selection of the first geometrical element: creating a subset of geometrical elements of the modelled object by applying a filter; and wherein the first and second geometrical elements are geometrical elements of the subset;

[0018] - The geometric elements of the subset are highlighted;

[0019] - The metric being calculated is one of: distance; angle; volume;

[0020] - selection of a first geometric element is performed based on a first user interaction on the first geometric element, the first user interaction is not maintained; one of the at least one displayed icons is selected based on a second user interaction on one of the at least one displayed icons, the second user interaction is maintained; selection of a second geometric element is performed by releasing the second user interaction on the second geometric element;

[0021] - selection of the first geometric element is performed based on a first user interaction on the first geometric element, the first user interaction is not maintained; one of the at least one displayed icon is selected based on a second user interaction on one of the at least one displayed icon, the second user interaction is not maintained; selection of the second geometric element is performed based on a third user interaction on the second geometric element, the third user interaction is not maintained;

[0022] - displaying at least one icon representing a second computable metric, the at least one icon being selected based on the first and second geometric elements; selecting a third geometric element of the modeled object; calculating the metric represented by the at least one icon based on the selected first, second and third geometric elements; and displaying the value of the calculated metric;

[0023] - The geometric element of the modeled object is one of the following: point, line, curve, circle, surface, plane, cylinder, cone, sphere, axis, forming the geometric element set of the product:

[0024] - After selecting at least one icon, the steps are: deselecting the selected at least one icon; and selecting another icon.

[0025] There is further provided a computer program for calculating metrics of a set of geometric elements of a modelled object, comprising instructions for implementing the steps of the above method of any one of claims 1 to 13.

[0026] A computer system is also provided for calculating metrics of a set of geometric elements of a modeled object, the computer system comprising a processor communicatively coupled to a memory storing the above-mentioned computer program, and a display. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] A system embodying the present invention will be described by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] - Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the present invention;

[0029] - Figure 2-6 is a screenshot depicting a first example of the present invention;

[0030] - Figure 7-8 is a screenshot describing a second example of the present invention;

[0031] - Figure 9-13 is a screenshot describing a third example of the present invention;

[0032] - Figure 14 is a table showing the relationships between geometric elements and the available metric types;

[0033] - Figure 15 An example of a system implementing the present invention is shown; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention is a computer-implemented method for calculating a metric of a set of geometric elements of a modeled object. The method includes displaying a modeled object, such as a three-dimensional modeled object including geometric elements. The method also includes selecting a first geometric element of the modeled object, such as on a user operation. The method further includes displaying at least one icon representing a calculable metric. The at least one icon displayed is selected from several icons, each of which represents a calculable metric. The selection of one of the several icons is implemented based on the first geometric element. In addition, one or more icons are identified from the icon set as a result of the selection of the first geometric element. Moreover, the method includes selecting a second geometric element of the modeled object, such as on a user operation. Then, the metric represented by the at least one icon is calculated. The calculation is implemented based on the selected first and second geometric elements. The method also includes displaying the calculated metric value.

[0035] The method improves the way users perform measurements. Each time a measurement process begins, one or more auxiliary tools—icons—are displayed to the user; users no longer need to select a measurement-related command from the taskbar. Furthermore, a visual indication (i.e., an auxiliary tool or icon) is provided to the user that the system is currently performing a measurement. Thus, the user knows that the next interaction with one of the geometric elements of the modeled object will trigger the calculation of the measurement. This advantageously allows the user to cancel the operation if they are dissatisfied with the selected measurement type or geometric element. Consequently, the user has greater control over the measurement process. Furthermore, the method allows for transforming a measurement to generate a new measurement; the term "transformation" here refers to the ability to convert an existing measurement into a new one. A measurement of a first type can be reused to generate a second, potentially completely different, measurement; for example, a circular measurement can be derived from a straight line measurement. This advantageously reduces the number of objects stored in memory, as already stored information can be reused to obtain a new measurement. Furthermore, auxiliary tools—icons—are displayed based on the first geometric element selected. The user's selection of a measurement is thus guided by the selected geometric element of the modeled object, allowing the user to select possible measurements more quickly and easily, as fewer commands are presented to them. Fewer commands means fewer choices for any user, and therefore less visual attention is required to make the selections. Each user performing the measurement experiences less eye strain, since their eyes no longer have to scan the display all the time. The auxiliary tools—icons—displayed based on the first selected geometric element can actually be located within the area of ​​the modeled object, for example, at a predetermined distance from the mouse cursor used to select the first geometric object. Furthermore, mouse travel and clicks are reduced, since all operations related to the measurement process can be performed within a separate area of ​​the GUI.

[0036] The method is computer-implemented. This means that the steps of the method (or substantially all steps) are performed by at least one computer or any similar system. Therefore, the steps of the method are performed by a computer, and may be fully automated, or semi-automatic. In an example, the triggering of at least some of the steps of the method can be performed by user-computer interaction. The level of required user-computer interaction can depend on the level of automation foreseen and balanced with the needs of realizing the user's wishes. In an example, the level can be user-defined and / or predetermined. For example, the selection of geometric elements can be implemented by the user, while the calculation of metric values ​​is performed by the computer. The selection of an icon representing a computable metric can be performed based on user interaction, and for example, the user interacts with the GUI on a touch screen by a mouse or by accessories (small pins, fingers).

[0037] A typical example of a computer-implemented method is to perform the method using a system suitable for this purpose. The system may include a processor and a graphical user interface (GUI) coupled to a memory, the memory having stored thereon a computer program including instructions for performing the method. The memory may also store a database. The memory is any hardware suitable for such storage, and may include several physically distinct parts (e.g., one for the program and possibly one for the database).

[0038] By "database," it is meant any collection of data (i.e., information) organized for search and retrieval. When stored in memory, a database allows for rapid search and retrieval by a computer. Databases are actually constructed to facilitate the storage, retrieval, modification, and deletion of data, along with various data processing operations. A database may include files or sets of files, which may be broken down into records, each record including one or more fields. A field is the basic unit of data storage. Users can retrieve data primarily through queries. Using keywords and sorting commands, users can quickly search, rearrange, group, and select fields in many records to retrieve or create reports on specific sets of data, according to the rules of the database management system being used. In the present invention, modeled objects may be stored in a database.

[0039] Figure 15 An example of a system implementing the present invention is shown. The system is typically a computer, such as a tablet computer. Figure 15The computer includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1010 connected to an internal communication bus 1000, and a random access memory (RAM) 1070 also connected to the bus. The computer is further provided with a graphics processing unit (GPU) 1110, which is associated with video random access memory 1100 connected to the bus. Video RAM 1100 is also known in the art as a frame buffer. A mass storage device controller 1020 manages access to mass storage devices (e.g., hard disk device 1030). Mass storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks 1040. Any of the foregoing devices may be added to or incorporated into a specially designed ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). A network adapter 1050 manages access to a network 1060. The computer may also include a haptic device 1090, such as a pointer control device (also known as a cursor control device). Pointer control devices are used in computers to allow a user to selectively position a pointer (also known as a cursor) at any desired location on the display 1080. The display 1080 may be a monitor, etc., as is known in the art. The display 1080 may be a touch-sensitive display 1080. A touch-sensitive display (also known as a touchscreen) is a hardware display unit connected to a computer that responds to touches on its front surface. It may support one, two, or multiple simultaneous touches. Furthermore, the pointer control device allows the user to select various commands and input control signals. The pointer control device includes a number of signal generating devices for inputting control signals into the system. In the context of a touch-sensitive display, the haptic device 1090 (the touchscreen sensor and its accompanying controller-based firmware) is integrated into the display, and the pointer control device for a touch-sensitive display is an accessory, as described below, which may be, but is not limited to, a finger or a stylus. In the context of a non-touch-sensitive display, the haptic device 1090 may be, but is not limited to, a mouse or a trackball.

[0040] The present invention can be implemented by a computer program. A computer program includes instructions executed by a computer, the instructions including means for causing the above system to implement the method. The program can be readable by any data storage medium, including the system's memory. The program can be implemented, for example, on digital electronic circuitry, or on computer hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. The program can be implemented as a device, such as a product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor. The method steps can be implemented by a programmable processor that executes the program of instructions to implement the functions of the method by operating on input data and generating output. The processor can therefore be programmable and coupled to receive data and instructions from a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device, and to send data and instructions to these devices. The application program can be executed in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language (if desired). In either case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. The program can be a fully installed program or an updater. Application of the program to the system generates instructions for implementing the method in any manner.

[0041] Now refer to Figure 1 In step S100, a modeled object is displayed, for example on a computer display or a touch-sensitive display. The display of the object is performed as known in the art.

[0042] A modeled object can be a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) modeled object. A "3D modeled object" means any object that is modeled by data that allows its 3D representation using a set of points in 3D space, connected by different geometric entities (e.g., triangles, lines, surfaces, etc.). The 3D representation allows views of the part from all angles. For example, a 3D modeled object, when displayed in 3D, can be lifted and rotated around any of its axes, or rotated around any axis of the device on which the representation is displayed. This obviously does not include 2D icons, which are not modeled in 3D. The display of a 3D representation facilitates design (i.e., increases the speed at which designers can statistically complete their work). This speeds up the manufacturing process in industry because the design of a product is part of the manufacturing process. A "2D modeled object" means any object that is modeled by data that allows its 2D representation. The 2D representation allows views of the part from one perspective point. A 2D modeled object is a geometric model of an object, as a two-dimensional diagram, usually on a Euclidean or Cartesian plane. 2D geometric models are often sufficient for certain planar objects, such as paper patterns and sheet metal supported mechanical parts.

[0043] Modeled objects include geometric elements; these can also be referred to as graphical elements, graphical components, or simple shapes. A geometric element represents a displayable element that can be selected partially or fully by the user. A geometric element is a graphical entity used within a dataset and can be, but is not limited to, a point, line, curve, circle, face, plane, cylinder, cone, sphere, or axis. Furthermore, a geometric element can be defined as a collection of the geometric elements listed above.

[0044] It should be understood that the steps of the present method are performed on a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a display device. A GUI is a graphical interface that allows a user to interact with a computer system. Interaction is typically performed through menus and toolbars that include a collection of user-selectable icons, each icon associated with one or more operations or functions, as known in the art. The GUI can further display a variety of tools; for example, a GUI for a computer-aided design (CAD) system can include graphical tools for facilitating 3D positioning of objects, for triggering simulations of operations for editing a product, or for rendering different properties of a displayed product. It should be understood that the present invention can be implemented on any type of GUI that accepts user interaction.

[0045] exist Figure 2-6 , a 3D representation of a GUI for a 3D modeled object is shown, which models a mechanical component, in this case a piston moving up and down inside a cylinder (not shown). The modeled piston includes several selectable geometric elements. For simplicity purposes, the GUI is not shown.

[0046] Then, in Figure 1 In step S110, one of the geometric elements of the modeled object is selected. The selection of the first geometric element can be implemented based on a user action or automatically. Preferably, the selection is completed by the user implementing the measurement. The selection of the geometric element is implemented in a manner known in the art. For example, if the pointer control device is a mouse, the selection can be implemented by clicking the mouse. As another example, if the display device is a touch-sensitive display, the selection can be implemented by tapping an accessory (e.g., a finger, a stylus) on the representation of the geometric element.

[0047] Now refer to Figure 2 , the user has selected a free point 20 located on the edge, which for clarity is shown in Figure 2 The selection has been performed by positioning the cursor 22 on the free point 20 - as shown in FIG. Figure 2The position of cursor 22 shown in the figure is not the location where the free point selection was performed. Interestingly, the edge on which free point 20 is located is also a geometric element of the piston, and the free point is a sub-geometric element of the edge. Free points are points of the mesh that defines the boundaries of the 3D representation of the piston. The selected geometric element 20 may be highlighted to indicate that it is currently selected.

[0048] Still refer to Figure 2 , also displayed are labels 24, 28, which appear as a result of the selection of the geometric element 20. The label comprises an icon 24 in which information about the geometric element 20 is displayed; here the coordinates (x, y, z) of a free point within the 3D scene where the piston is located. The icon of the label is usually a 2D icon, that is, the icon can only be represented as a two-dimensional image, usually on a plane (e.g. a Euclidean or Cartesian plane), blending in with the plane of the display device (e.g. a computer screen). The label may further comprise an anchor 28, which is a straight line or a broken line, connecting the icon to the selected geometric element. In Figure 2 In the example, an anchor 28 starts from a free point to better understand which geometric element the displayed information 24 is related to. The anchor can start from a point of the geometric element, which is automatically selected by the system, for example, it can be the center of the geometric element "line" or the center of the geometric element "sphere". The anchor connects the icon to the selected geometric element.

[0049] Back to Figure 1 In step S120, at least one icon representing a computable metric is displayed. A metric is a function that associates a numerical value with a given subset of a set of entries. In practice, a metric is a value (number or quantity) that records a directly observable physical quantity. A metric is usually associated with a unit of measure, which is a determined magnitude of a physical quantity, defined and adopted by convention or regulation, and is used as a standard for the measurement of the same physical quantity. Metrics can be of the following types, but are not limited to, distance (length, width, height, depth), angle (plane angle, solid angle, angular position, rotation angle), volume, area, time, mass, temperature, amount of substance, current. The resulting physical quantity can also be measured, such as quantity, quantity space density, time derivative, specific quantity, spectral quantity, molar quantity, quantity gradient, flow, flux density, current, moment. The units of the metrics associated with a certain type of metric are defined and adopted by convention: the choice of a given unit of measure is therefore a subjective choice, which does not hinder the method of the present invention. In practice, the units of measure are parameters of the system running the present invention, and they are configurable by the user.

[0050] An expression of a computable metric refers to a value associated with the metric type represented by the icon that will be calculated as a result of selection of the icon and selection of a second geometric element of the modeled object.

[0051] The one or more displayed icons are selected based on the first geometric element. The additional metric types that can subsequently be calculated are determined by the first geometric element selected in step S110. Each metric type that can be processed after selecting the first geometric element is presented to the user as an icon, so the user knows which metric types the system can perform. Furthermore, the user can more easily select a metric type because only the next possible metric type is displayed. Figure 14 is an example showing the types of metrics that can be calculated based on the selected first geometric element. Figure 2 On the left, an icon 26 representing a measurement of type "length" is displayed, because the first geometric element selected is a free point 20. The graphic representation of the icon representing the measurement type "length" is shown in Figure 2 24, 28. The icon representing the computable metric is preferably displayed next to the first geometric element. In this way, the selection of one of the displayed icons will be implemented in a faster, coordinated and efficient manner because the cursor or accessory is located near the first geometric element. The distance between the icon and the geometric element can be predetermined, such as the number of pixels, the Euclidean distance. The icons can be located along, for example, a circular edge, an elliptical distribution, which is centered on the selected first geometric element. In addition, the icons can be located in the opposite position of the labels 24, 28 to improve the distribution of the different icons (metric type and label).

[0052] The selection of a metric type is performed based on user interaction with an icon representing a computable metric. This can be performed as known in the art. For example, if the pointer control device is a mouse, the selection can be performed by clicking the mouse while the pointer 22 is over the icon 26. As another example, if the display device is a touch-sensitive display, the selection can be performed by placing an accessory (e.g., a finger) over the icon 26 and tapping the icon with the accessory, or simply by placing the accessory over the icon 26.

[0053] As a result of the selection of the metric type, the system knows what metric to implement.

[0054] Back to Figure 1In step S130, a subset of the geometric elements of the modeled object can be created. This is usually implemented by applying a filter. The filter can be associated with one or more geometric elements. For example, the filter can select all geometric elements that are points or centers. As another example, the filter can select all geometric elements of the modeled object that are lines or curves. In fact, the filter is associated with geometric elements, except for the geometric elements points, free points and centers forming one subset, and the geometric elements lines and curves forming another subset. The selection of the subset of geometric elements can be triggered based on a user action, for example by clicking on an icon associated with the filter. The creation of the subset can also be created automatically, for example, the subset includes geometric elements of the same type as the first geometric element selected. It should be understood that two or more subsets can be selected. The selection of two or more subsets can rely exclusively on the user's selection, or on a combination of the user's selection and automatic selection.

[0055] Interestingly, the creation of one or more subsets of geometric elements can be performed before the method of the present invention. Interestingly, the creation of at least one subset can be performed before Figure 1 is completed before step S110 of ; therefore, the first geometric element of the selected modeled object belongs to the selected subset of geometric elements. In this way, the user can benefit from the creation of the subset of geometric elements at an earlier stage. In fact, the subsets of modeled geometric elements are useful for the user because they make the selection of geometric elements easier; for example, the representation of the geometric elements of the subset can be emphasized, for example by highlighting the geometric elements of the set. In addition, this advantageously allows the system to better interpret user interactions, in particular in cases where the user does not or is not able to perform a precise user interaction on a given geometric element. This is a notable case when the user interacts with his finger (or even with a stylus) on a touch-sensitive display. Therefore, even if the user does not exactly place his finger on the geometric element, the system will interpret this user interaction as being performed on the geometric element. The geometric element is selected.

[0056] Next, in step S140, a second geometric element of the modeled object is selected. This selection is performed as known in the art; for example, it is performed in the same manner as the first geometric element. It should be understood that the second geometric element can be selected only from the geometric elements of the subset created in step S130 (if such a subset is created).

[0057] Figure 3 A selection of a second geometrical element 30 is shown, which is a free point of the modeled object.

[0058] Next, at step S150, the system calculates a computable metric value represented by the at least one icon. The calculation depends on the selected first and second geometric elements. The metric calculation is performed as known in the art. The metric value is provided as a result of the calculation.

[0059] Next, at step S160, the calculated metric value is displayed. The display is created as known in the art.

[0060] Preferably, the display of the calculated metric value comprises displaying the calculated metric value on a label, for example, the label is a 2D icon with an anchor, such as a reference Figure 2 As discussed, the position of the label can depend on the type of metric. The label is positioned so that it is clearly visible and does not interfere with the selected geometry. In other words, the label displaying the calculated metric value is positioned according to the user's current viewpoint and the position of the selected geometry. Figure 3 An example of the display of a calculated metric value (here the type of metric is the distance between two free points) is shown on a label 32. The label is located on a double arrow 34, which is located between two anchors 36 and 38 to make it easier to identify the two selected geometric elements. Interestingly, the label 32 is kept parallel to the plane of the display device (e.g., a computer screen), so that the value of the metric is always visible to the user, even when the 3D modeled object is rotated.

[0061] At this step of the method, the first metric has been calculated and displayed to the user. The user can perform a new metric by repeating steps S100-S160.

[0062] Alternatively, users can create new measurements from existing measurements, such as those previously obtained. This is possible because measurements are stored as objects, such as in a database or PLM database. The term "object" here refers to a file containing properties that represent a measurement to be calculated or a calculated measurement. An object (also referred to as a measurement object) can be created after selecting a first geometric element. Once created, the object may not be immediately stored in permanent storage (e.g., in a database), but it is at least stored in the system's non-permanent storage (e.g., random access memory). An object can include several properties, which are completed while the associated data is created. The ability to complete a measurement object makes it easier to cancel operations while creating a measurement. For example, a user can deselect a measurement type, resulting in the previous icon being displayed again, allowing them to select another measurement type. Similarly, a user can deselect a second geometric element and select another one. In practice, an object includes at least a unique identifier property, e.g., it is created as a result of selecting an icon associated with a computable measurement. The object may further include a creation date, the metric value calculated in step S150, one or more anchors for the label, the location of the label displaying the metric value, graphical characteristics of the label (e.g., the shape of the icon), the creator of the metric (which user), the metric type, a pointer to the content used to create the metric (e.g., the metric was implemented for a project review), and a pointer to the geometric elements of the modeled object to which the metric relates.

[0063] As discussed above, the user has the possibility to create new metrics from previously calculated metrics. This means that the metric object will be modified taking into account new or modified properties characterizing the new metric. Advantageously, the number of stored metric objects is reduced, since existing metric objects can be reused. The possibility of creating further metrics from existing metrics may be open only for a given combination of geometric elements. For example, when the first and second geometric elements are selected in a subset (i) of geometric elements comprising points, free points and centers (steps S100 and S140); when the first and second geometric elements are selected in a subset (ii) of geometric elements comprising straight lines and curves. For subset (i), the next metric type may be an angle or a diameter radius. For subset (ii), the next metric type may be an angle, but may also be the distance between two selected straight lines. Figure 14 Examples of further metrics are shown.

[0064] In step S170, at least one icon representing a computable metric is displayed. This is implemented in the same manner as step S120, except that the one or more icons are selected based on the first and second geometric elements. The icons related to the computable metric are selected based on the previously implemented metric. The newly displayed one or more icons are preferably placed close to the second geometric element. In this way, the selection of one of the displayed icons can be implemented in a faster, more coordinated and more efficient manner because the cursor or accessory is located adjacent to the second geometric element. Again, the distance between the icon and the second geometric element is predetermined, for example, the number of pixels, the Euclidean distance.

[0065] The selection of the icon representing the computable metric is performed based on user interaction. This is performed in the same manner as discussed in step S120.

[0066] refer to Figure 4 , the first 20 and second 30 geometric elements are free points and belong to the same subset of geometric elements including points, free points and centers. The metrics obtained in step S150 can therefore be used to create new metric types "angle" or "diameter radius", such as Figure 14 Two icons 46 are therefore displayed, one representing the measurement type "angle" and the second representing the measurement type "diameter radius". In this example, the user selects the icon representing the measurement type "angle".

[0067] Back to Figure 1 , in step S180, a third geometric element of the modeled object is selected. The selection of the third geometric element is performed using methods known in the art. It should be understood that the selection of the third geometric element is performed on one of the geometric elements of the subset created in step S130 (if such a subset is created). Alternatively, the filter selected in step S130 can be disabled or changed by the user, so that the user can select any geometric element of the modeled object.

[0068] Next, in step S190, the system calculates the value of the metric represented by the selected icon. The calculation depends on the selected first, second, and third geometric elements. The metric calculation is performed using methods known in the art. The metric value is provided as the result of the calculation.

[0069] Next, the metric values ​​calculated in step S200 are displayed. The display is performed as discussed with reference to step S160.

[0070] exist Figure 5In the example, the user has selected the third geometric element 50 of the piston with the aid of pointer 22. A metric of type "angle" is calculated based on the selected first, second, and third geometric elements. In this example, the metric of type "angle" uses the first selected geometric element as the vertex of the angle; it should be understood that any of the selected geometric elements can be the vertex of the angle. The calculated metric is displayed on label 52 (here, the metric type is the angle of three free points). The display of label 52 is implemented in the same manner as discussed in step S160.

[0071] Figure 6 The final result of the measurement is shown as it would be displayed to the user. Here, the angle is highlighted to indicate to the user that the measurement has been performed. In practice, this means that the user is aware that the measurement object has been created and is complete, i.e., permanent storage of the measurement object has been performed, such as in a PLM database.

[0072] Figure 7 and 8 Shows the situation where the user has Figure 4 , an icon representing the metric type "diameter radius" is selected. A third geometric element 70 has then been selected by the user, and the diameter radius has been calculated and the metric value is displayed in label 72. In the case where three geometric elements are included in the calculation of the metric, the label can be anchored to the last selected geometric element. Figure 8 The display of metrics is shown; the metric objects have been created, completed, and stored.

[0073] Figures 9 to 13 Another example of the method according to the present invention is depicted. Figure 9 , the user can select the measure command displayed in the GUI so that the system knows that the user is trying to create a measure. In fact, the modeled object has been displayed (S100) and a measure object has been created, which includes at least a unique identifier property. Then a subset of geometric elements is obtained by applying a filter on the geometric elements of the modeled object. Here, the user has selected the filter "straight lines" (S130) so that only geometric elements that are straight lines can be selected by the user. It should be understood that the user can select two or more filters. In Figure 10 In FIG. 1 , the user selects a straight line 100 ( S110 ). As a result of the selection of the straight line, a label 102 is displayed, and information related to the selected straight line, in this case, the length of the straight line, is displayed. Figure 11 On the left, the user selects the icon 116 representing a calculable metric (S120). Because the selected geometric element is a straight line, the metric type associated with the icon 116 is "distance", as shown in FIG. Figure 14 Next, Figure 12, the user selects a second geometric element (140), which can only be a straight line because the filter "straight line" has been selected before, here the straight line 120. The distance between the two straight lines 100, 120 is calculated (S150) and the metric value is displayed (S160) on the label 122. Figure 13 The metric diagram shows what the display will look like once the metric process has been performed: the metric is highlighted and the metric object can be permanently stored. Labels 102 and 122 can be identical, i.e., once the metric value has been calculated, label 102 is automatically replaced and the information it displays is modified. Alternatively, labels 102 and 122 are not identical, and as a result of the second geometric element being selected, label 102 is removed from the display; once the metric value has been calculated, label 122 is then displayed.

[0074] We will now discuss how users interact with modeled objects and icons to implement metrics according to the present invention. A computer, such as a personal computer, laptop, music player, cell phone, or personal digital assistant, can measure any input or action, or interruption of input applied to it. Three interaction modes are available.

[0075] The first refers to a single-click or tapping mode: the user's selection consists of sending a signal that is not maintained by the user (also called a down event). The user interaction is an input, and each input generates a signal that is sent to the computer via a touch-sensitive display or a tactile device (such as a mouse, etc.). Thus, if the computer's pointer control device is a tactile device, the user performs an action for each selection on the tactile device (such as a click), and if the pointer control device is integrated into the computer's display (such as in the case of a touch-sensitive display), the user performs a tap on the computer display for each selection. Thus, the selection of the first and second geometric elements is performed by a click on the mouse or a tap on the display device. It should be understood that the user interaction (click or tap) is not maintained. Similarly, the selection of the icon representing the computable metric is a click or tap, as is the selection of the third geometric element (if any).

[0076] The second mode refers to the drag-and-drop or touch-drag mode: the user interaction includes at least one drag-and-drop or touch-drag user action. In this mode, the user typically selects the first geometric element by clicking or tapping it; similar to the first mode. Next, an icon representing a calculable metric is selected by clicking or tapping it. The click or tap is maintained (also known as a hold event). The user then drags the icon toward the second geometric element to be selected, maintaining the click or touch. Alternatively, the user moves a cursor or accessory (i.e., user input) toward the second geometric element to be selected, maintaining the click or touch. When the user input is on the second geometric element, they release the click or touch: the click or touch is no longer maintained. The second geometric element is then selected, and the metric value is calculated and displayed. Interestingly, the second mode allows for the real-time display of the metric value based on the pointer position on the display, that is, during the dragging of the selected icon. Thus, the metric represented by the at least one icon is calculated based on the selected first geometric element and the pointer position on the display device, and the calculated metric value is displayed in real time. It should be understood that a label indicating the metric value is also displayed. For example, the value can be displayed in Figure 10 The instantaneous value is displayed while the user maintains the user interaction (or user input) on the selected at least one icon. When the user releases the user interaction on the selected at least one icon, a second geometric element of the modeled object is selected and the final value of the metric is displayed. In the second mode, selection of a third geometric element (if any) is performed in the same manner as the first geometric element.

[0077] The third mode is a single-click (e.g., controlling a cursor on a mouse) or a single-tap (e.g., an accessory on a touch-sensitive screen) mode: the user selects the first geometric element by clicking or tapping on it; the click or tap is maintained (also called a hold event). Next, selection of an icon representing a metric that can be calculated is performed by moving the cursor or accessory over the icon, while the click or tap is maintained. The user then moves the cursor or accessory towards a second geometric element to be selected (i.e., user input), with the click or touch maintained. When the user input is on the second geometric element, they release the click or touch: the click or touch is no longer maintained. Next, the second geometric element is selected, and the metric value is calculated and displayed. Selection of a third geometric element (if any) is performed by clicking or tapping on it.

[0078] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for computing metrics of a set of geometric elements of a modeled object, the method comprising: - displaying (S100) the modeled object; - selecting ( S110 ) a first geometric element of the modeled object according to a user action; - determining, from a set of computable metrics, at least one computable metric processable according to said selected first geometric element; - for each determined calculable metric, displaying (S120) an icon representing said calculable metric; - selecting, upon a user action, a display icon representing a determined calculable metric; - selecting ( S140 ) a second geometric element of the modeled object according to a user action; - calculating (S150) a metric represented by the displayed icon based on the selected first and second geometric elements; - display (160) the value of the calculated metric; Wherein, before selecting the first geometric element: - creating at least one subset of geometric elements of the modeled object by applying a filter to the geometric elements of the modeled object, wherein the filter selects geometric elements of the same type; and wherein the first geometric element and the second geometric element are geometric elements of the subset; and Wherein, when the at least one subset includes two or more subsets, the creation of the at least one subset is performed through user selection or through a combination of user selection and automatic selection.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein: The displaying of the value of the calculated metric includes displaying the value of the calculated metric on a label.

3. The computer-implemented method of one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising, after selection of the first geometric element: - Creating an object storing properties characterizing the calculated metric.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein: The properties of the object are selected from the following: - identifier; - Creation date; - the value of said metric; - an anchor for the metric; - a pointer to the modeled object; -Image characteristics; - Position of the label showing the value in the display step.

5. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein: The modeled object is a two-dimensional modeled object or a three-dimensional modeled object.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein: The geometric elements of the subset are highlighted.

7. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein: The calculated metric is one of the following: -distance; -angle; -volume.

8. The computer-implemented method of one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: - the selection of the first geometric element is performed based on a first user interaction on the first geometric element, the first user interaction not being maintained; - one of the displayed at least one icon is selected based on a second user interaction on the one of the displayed at least one icon, the second user interaction being maintained; - The selection of said second geometric element is performed by releasing said second user interaction on said second geometric element.

9. The computer-implemented method of one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: - the selection of the first geometric element is performed based on a first user interaction on the first geometric element, the first user interaction not being maintained; - one of the displayed at least one icon is selected based on a second user interaction on the one of the displayed at least one icon, the second user interaction not being maintained; - the selection of the second geometric element is performed based on a third user interaction on the second geometric element, the third user interaction not being maintained.

10. The computer-implemented method of one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: - displaying at least one icon representing a second computable metric, said at least one icon being selected based on said first geometric element and said second geometric element; - selecting a third geometrical element of the modeled object; - calculating a metric represented by the at least one icon based on the selected first, second and third geometric elements; - Displays the value of the calculated metric.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein: The geometric element of the modeled object is one of the following: point, line, curve, circle, surface, plane, cylinder, cone, sphere, axis, forming a geometric element set of the product.

12. The computer-implemented method of one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the steps of: - deselecting at least one of the selected icons; and -Select another icon.

13. A computer program comprising instructions for performing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A computer system for computing metrics of a set of geometric elements of a modeled object, comprising a processor and a display, the processor being communicatively coupled to a memory storing the computer program of claim 13.

Images