3D Model Interface Nodes for AECO Completeness Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D models in the AECO industry are incomplete and ambiguous, making it difficult to distinguish between complete and incomplete locations, and lacking clarity on authorship and responsibility, which hinders effective communication and liability mitigation in design and construction processes.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines 3D and 2D artifacts within a unified assemblage, using interface nodes to link and display additional information, allowing users to select and view detailed 2D artifacts within the 3D model, providing clarity on completeness and authorship through graphical indicators and annotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If 3D models deliver full project scope, then completeness is improved, but ambiguity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 3D model into discrete location-specific interface nodes, each representing a specific view or drawing location. This segmentation allows the model to maintain full project scope while providing granular tracking of completeness at each location, resolving the ambiguity between overall completeness and location-specific clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces interface nodes as intermediary elements between the 3D model and 2D drawings. These nodes serve as mediators that link specific model locations to corresponding drawings, providing a reliable mechanism to track and communicate completeness status without sacrificing the comprehensive nature of the 3D model.
2Area of stationary object
If 3D models include all locations, then scope coverage is improved, but distinction between complete and incomplete locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual indicators at interface nodes to signal completeness status. Different visual states (such as presence or absence of indicators, different colors, or different icon states) clearly distinguish complete locations from incomplete ones, making detection immediate and unambiguous while maintaining comprehensive location coverage.
3Reliability
If designers draw selected locations, then liability mitigation is improved, but information delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional interface node system that simultaneously serves liability mitigation and information delivery purposes. The same interface nodes that define designer responsibility boundaries also provide rich contextual information about completeness status, model data availability, and drawing relationships, eliminating the need to choose between liability clarity and information richness.
4Device complexity
If 3D models are delivered without additional indicators, then simplicity is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts completeness and authorship information into separate, discrete interface node indicators that are attached to the 3D model rather than being embedded within the model geometry itself. This extraction maintains the simplicity of the core 3D model while adding reliable communication indicators that enhance rather than complicate the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to compile different types of data from different locations into one reliable assemblage is provided. The assemblage includes an index of information provided to a user. The assemblage may be in the form of a three dimensional (3D) representation of an object, where the 3D representation includes an index and links to more detailed information regarding the object. The 3D representation of any object, for example, a body part in the context of medical imaging, or a building in the context of architectural and engineering design. The assemblage is comprised of 3D and 2D artifacts. The 2D artifact includes 2D vector and raster embellishment in a variety of forms. The 3D artifact includes vector graphics (2D and 3D) including all data obtained through data conversion methods, and “Point clouds” (voxels).