3D Model Viewer Spreadsheet Integration for Large Assembly Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD systems face challenges in efficiently managing large 3D models with thousands of parts, requiring cumbersome multi-step processes for visibility changes and struggling with real-time rendering, making interaction impractical.
Innovation Solution
A viewer application that integrates a spreadsheet with a 3D model viewer, allowing dynamic updates and real-time association of attributes like visibility, color, sound, and speech through user-defined formulas and interactions, enhancing the display and analysis of complex assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If standard computers display large numbers of parts (thousands to tens of thousands) in real time, then the frame rate and interactivity are maintained, but the complexity of managing and controlling individual part attributes increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large assembly model into hierarchical groups and subsets that can be independently managed. Users can create named groups of parts and control their visibility and attributes collectively, reducing the complexity of managing thousands of individual parts while maintaining real-time rendering performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure (attribute storage and management system) that sits between the user interface and the 3D model. This intermediary layer manages part attributes, visibility states, and selection information, allowing efficient control of large models without directly increasing rendering complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multi-step processes are used to change part visibility or attributes, then precise control over individual parts is achieved, but the time and complexity of operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining part groups, subsets, and attribute states before the user needs to make changes. Users can set up visibility groups, material assignments, and other attributes in advance, then apply them with a single action rather than configuring each part individually through multiple steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal control mechanisms that can apply to individual parts, groups of parts, or entire assemblies. The same interface and commands work across different scales of model organization, allowing users to efficiently manage both single parts and thousands of parts using consistent multi-functional tools.
3Loss of information
If detailed attribute information for each part is displayed and managed, then complete control and information availability is achieved, but the interface complexity and data management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds hierarchical dimensions to the interface, organizing part attributes across multiple levels (assembly, group, subset, individual part). This dimensional organization allows complete attribute information to be managed systematically, with the ability to drill down from high-level group controls to detailed individual part settings when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested data structures and interface elements where groups contain subsets, subsets contain parts, and each level maintains its own attribute set. This nesting allows comprehensive information management at multiple hierarchical levels, reducing interface complexity by organizing controls logically rather than presenting all controls at once.
Data Source
AI summary
A combined viewer-spreadsheet application provides display of (i) a spreadsheet including a tree window for an extendable tree structure of an object and (ii) a three dimensional (3D) model of the object. A user of the application is able to add one or more columns or arrays to the tree structure and to reflect in the 3D model the values of elements of the columns or arrays added. The tree structure includes at least one assembly, a plurality of subassemblies forming the assembly, and a plurality of parts for each of the subassemblies.