Auto Sorting CAD Layers by Graphic Style

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing graphics applications require manual and tedious processes to apply graphic styles to multiple objects in CAD drawings, lacking an efficient method to automatically sort objects by graphic styles across layers.

Innovation Solution

A method that automatically sorts drawing objects into layers based on their graphic styles, creating new layers if necessary, and applies modified styles to all objects on a layer, with user options to override individual objects and specify auto-sorting settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual sorting of objects into layers is used, then user control over object placement is maintained, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming when many objects need to be updated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of applying graphic stylesVSAvoidtime to update multiple objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic layer sorting without requiring manual user intervention. When an object is added to the drawing, the system automatically identifies its graphic style, determines the appropriate layer, and places the object on that layer without user input, thereby eliminating the tedious manual sorting process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-organizes objects into layers based on their graphic styles as they are created or modified. By establishing the layer assignment rule in advance (objects with the same graphic style go to the same layer), the system proactively prevents the accumulation of unsorted objects, avoiding the need for later manual reorganization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If individual objects are updated one at a time, then precise control over each object is achieved, but productivity decreases when many objects share the same graphic style

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of style applicationVSAvoidspeed of updating multiple objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple objects that share the same graphic style into a single layer. This allows the user to apply graphic style changes to the entire layer at once, automatically updating all objects within it, thereby transforming the process from updating each object individually to updating a grouped collection in one operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The layer structure serves multiple functions: it organizes objects by graphic style, enables batch updates of all objects sharing a style, and maintains the ability to apply precise control when needed. The system can operate at both the individual object level and the collective layer level, providing versatility in how updates are applied

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If automatic layer sorting is implemented, then efficiency in managing graphic styles is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of graphic style managementVSAvoidcomplexity of auto-sorting system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the graphic style parameters of objects as the basis for automatic layer assignment. By monitoring changes in graphic style parameters and automatically responding to them (creating layers or moving objects), the system implements intelligent automation without requiring complex user-defined rules or configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The layer acts as an intermediary structure between objects and their graphic styles. Instead of directly managing each object's style assignments, the system uses layers as a mediating organization layer, simplifying the management complexity by introducing this intermediate grouping mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If objects are grouped by graphic style, then consistency across objects is improved, but flexibility in manual layer assignment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of graphic stylesVSAvoidflexibility of layer assignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic layer sorting system is dynamic rather than static. It continuously monitors objects for changes in graphic style and automatically reorganizes layer assignments in response to these changes. This dynamic behavior maintains consistency automatically while still allowing users to manually intervene and override assignments when needed, as the system can adapt to both automated rules and manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8044973B2Auto sorting of geometry based on graphic styles

Publication Date: 2011.10.25 AUTODESK INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention provide an auto layer sorting feature for a computer aided drawing (CAD) application where drawing elements are sorted into different drawing layers based on the graphic style associated with each individual drawing element. Objects added to the drawing may be automatically associated with a layer such that all objects on the layer have the same graphic style. If the user changes the properties of a given graphics style associated with one of the auto-sort layers, the updated style may be applied to each objects on that layer.