3D CAD Model Change Logic via Spreadsheet Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of three-dimensional CAD software, such as construction and machinery designers, often lack programming expertise, leading to errors in model built-in program descriptions and inefficient maintenance due to insufficient debugging environments and manual specification creation for change logic.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional CAD model creating apparatus that allows users to easily set change logic through a tabular interface, converting input data into a program language format, enabling non-experts to create and understand model built-in programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If model built-in program is created using text editor with program language, then transformation function can be implemented, but user operation becomes difficult and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spreadsheet software as an intermediary between the user and the parametric transformation function. Instead of requiring users to write program code directly in a text editor, they can input parameters and transformation rules through the familiar spreadsheet interface, which then generates and executes the underlying program code. This mediator layer significantly reduces operational difficulty while maintaining transformation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of direct code editing with an automated system where spreadsheet formulas and data manipulation automatically generate and execute transformation programs. The spreadsheet software acts as an automated code generator, translating user-friendly data inputs into the program language required by the CAD system, thereby eliminating the need for users to manually write and debug code.
2Reliability
If model built-in program is created without debugging environment, then program can be executed, but errors cannot be detected and fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the self-service capabilities of spreadsheet software to detect and correct program errors. The spreadsheet environment provides built-in error checking, formula validation, and data consistency verification that automatically identify issues in the generated transformation programs. Users can review and correct errors through the spreadsheet interface without requiring external debugging tools or environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through the spreadsheet interface that allow users to review the generated program code, parameter values, and transformation results. The spreadsheet environment provides immediate feedback on formula errors, data type mismatches, and logical inconsistencies, enabling users to detect and correct program errors before execution. This feedback loop eliminates the need for separate debugging environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If change logic is set manually with program code, then transformation can be controlled, but maintenance and understanding become extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the spreadsheet data structure as a copyable and modifiable representation of the change logic. Instead of maintaining separate program code for transformation rules, the logic is embedded in the spreadsheet data itself, which can be easily copied, pasted, and modified. This allows users to maintain and understand change logic through familiar spreadsheet operations rather than program code, significantly improving maintenance efficiency while preserving full control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the spreadsheet software serve multiple functions: it acts as both the data input interface and the program logic definition environment. The same spreadsheet that stores parameter data also contains the transformation rules and change logic in a visually accessible format. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate program files and documentation, making the system easier to maintain and understand while retaining full adaptability.
4Loss of information
If specifications are manually produced to explain model built-in program, then program documentation is created, but lots of work is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate specification documents by using the spreadsheet itself as the documentation medium. The spreadsheet automatically generates and maintains documentation of the change logic through its structured data format, formulas, and cell annotations. This copied representation of the logic in a visually accessible format provides complete program understanding information without requiring manual specification writing, thereby maintaining full information availability while dramatically improving creation efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Included are a table creating unit that creates, for a three-dimensional CAD model, tabular data that describes change logic for each changed state, the change logic associating a changed state with a condition to be satisfied to shift to the changed state, the changed state being a form after transformation of the three-dimensional CAD model; a data converting unit that converts each change logic set in the created tabular data into a description in a certain program language, and creates a model built-in program; an model built-in program IO unit that registers the converted model built-in program to the three-dimensional CAD model; and a three-dimensional CAD software-program unit that transforms the three-dimensional CAD model when receiving an operation for transforming the three-dimensional CAD model, based on the operation and a change logic described in a model built-in program registered to the three-dimensional CAD model.