CAD Annotated Angle Creation Using Specified Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD applications require users to draw explicit lines or define exact intersection points to create annotated angles, limiting flexibility and user experience in forming angles between non-parallel lines.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that allow users to specify multiple points to define the start and end directions and lengths of lines, inferring line directions and calculating a vertex to create annotated angles without explicit line drawing, enabling flexible angle creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users draw explicit lines or define exact intersection points to create annotated angles, then the angle annotation is precise and well-defined, but the operation complexity and user effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the angle creation process into distinct point selection steps (first point, second point, third point, fourth point) rather than requiring users to draw complete lines. Each point selection is an independent, simple operation that contributes to the final annotated angle, reducing the complexity of each individual step while maintaining overall precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational process that calculates the vertex and angle measurements based on the selected points. This intermediary system handles the complex geometric calculations automatically, freeing users from manually defining intersection points or measuring angles, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If users draw explicit lines to define angles, then the angle geometry is clearly defined, but the device complexity and number of required operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computational actions to determine the vertex and angle measurements before the user completes the point selection. The system pre-calculates potential vertices and prepares annotation elements in advance, so that when users select points, the annotated angle is immediately generated with proper geometry, reducing the number of operations required while maintaining definition clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically calculating vertices, measuring angles, and generating annotations based on user-selected points. The computational geometry engine autonomously handles the complex geometric constructions that would otherwise require multiple manual operations, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable angle definition.
3Measurement precision
If the system requires exact vertex designation for angle creation, then the angular dimension is accurately annotated, but the adaptability and flexibility of the tool decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic approach where the vertex is not fixed in advance but is calculated dynamically based on the user-selected points. The system adapts to different point configurations and automatically determines the appropriate vertex location, maintaining angular dimension accuracy while providing flexibility in how users define angles. Users can select points in various configurations, and the system dynamically adjusts the vertex calculation accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from requiring an exact pre-defined vertex to calculating the vertex based on selected points. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain measurement precision through computational geometry while significantly improving adaptability, as users can now define angles through point selection rather than being constrained to pre-defined vertices or explicit line drawings.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for creating an annotated angle with the user specified points are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention relate to reducing or eliminating the effort a user must put forth in creating an angular dimension by drawing two explicit lines or two explicit objects comprised of two lines where either the user would have to ensure the explicit lines intersected to form the angular dimension or define an exact center point to be the vertex of the angular dimension. Further embodiments allow a user to easily create the annotated angle by defining points in the CAD interface eliminating the need to create line geometry with the defined center point in the CAD interface. In one embodiment, this is achieved by the user specifying a start point, a start direction, an end point, and an end direction where the annotated angle may then be created based on the user defined points in the CAD interface.