Associative Fillet Recalculation in CAD Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In existing CAD systems, fillet arcs created between geometric entities are independent entities and do not automatically update when the entities or fillet radius are edited, requiring manual deletion and recreation, leading to non-intuitive and ambiguous behavior during design modifications.
Innovation Solution
An associative framework is introduced that dynamically recalculates and updates fillet arcs when input curves or fillet radius are modified, ensuring the fillet arc remains tangent to the curves and trims or extends them accordingly, maintaining intuitive and unambiguous behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fillet arcs are created as independent entities in CAD systems, then the fillet creation process is simple and straightforward, but the fillet arc does not automatically update when the input curves or fillet radius are edited, requiring manual deletion and recreation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fillet arc with the input curves by establishing parent-child relationships where the fillet arc becomes a child entity dependent on the input curves. This integration ensures that when input curves or radius are edited, the fillet arc automatically updates through the associative link, eliminating manual recreation time while maintaining simple creation process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic feedback mechanisms where changes to input curves or fillet radius parameters trigger automatic recalculation and update of the fillet arc. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the fillet arc continuously reflects the current state of its parent entities, eliminating the need for manual deletion and recreation
2Device complexity
If fillet arcs are created as independent entities, then the system structure is simple, but the fillet arc behavior becomes non-intuitive and ambiguous when curves are edited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static independent fillet arc into a dynamic associative entity that automatically adapts to changes in input curves or radius. The fillet arc becomes a living component that responds intuitively to edits, maintaining logical and expected behavior while the underlying system structure remains manageable through standardized association mechanisms
3Device complexity
If fillet arcs are manually erased and recreated when curves are edited, then the fillet arc remains independent and simple to manage, but productivity decreases due to repeated manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the fillet arc to serve itself by automatically updating when input curves or radius are edited. The associative relationship allows the fillet arc to self-recalculate and self-update without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating repetitive manual operations and significantly improving productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to update a filleted curve in a computer graphics application. A drawing having a first input curve and a second input curve is displayed. The first and second input curves are selected. A fillet curve is calculated, created, and displayed between the two input curves. A property of the first input curve is modified. Automatically, without additional user input, the fillet curve is recalculated based on the modified property. The recalculated fillet curve is displayed.