CAD Context Menu Adaptation via Geometric and Behavioral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD software applications present a limited and often irrelevant set of user actions in context menus due to rudimentary filtering, which reduces productivity by increasing the time users spend searching for relevant commands.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a set of adequate user actions for CAD model manipulation by considering previously executed actions and geometric analysis of entities within a predetermined proximity of the cursor, providing a suggestion menu that includes frequently executed and contextually relevant actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a context menu is provided with a limited set of choices filtered by entity type and modeling phase, then the interface remains simple and manageable, but the relevance and usefulness of the provided actions decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The context menu is made dynamic by continuously adapting its contents based on real-time analysis of user actions, geometric context, and modeling phase. The menu automatically reconfigures itself to prioritize relevant actions rather than presenting a static filtered list, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and relevance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically analyzing user behavior patterns and geometric context to determine which actions to prioritize in the context menu. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual configuration while ensuring high relevance of provided actions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all possible actions are presented in the context menu, then the completeness of options is improved, but the time to find relevant actions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The full set of possible actions is segmented into multiple priority levels or groups within the context menu. Highly relevant actions are placed in prominent positions or separate sections, allowing users to quickly access the most useful commands without being overwhelmed by the complete action list.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the current context (geometric entities, user actions, modeling phase) before presenting the action list, pre-organizing actions by relevance. This preliminary sorting action eliminates the need for users to search through all possibilities, reducing search time while maintaining completeness.
3Ease of operation
If the context menu is automatically invoked based on cursor position, then the ease of access is improved, but the accuracy of action selection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback loops that continuously monitor user interactions and adjust the context menu contents accordingly. When users hover over or select specific entities, the menu receives feedback and automatically reconfigures to provide more accurate and relevant actions, maintaining both ease of access and selection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed method for manipulating a computer aided design (CAD) model includes the computer-implemented steps of a user determining one or more entities in a CAD model with a cursor, determining a set of adequate user action(s) to execute on the entities and providing a suggestion menu which contains the set of adequate user actions, partly determined by previously executed user actions. A second method for manipulating a CAD model includes the computer-implemented steps of a user determining one or more entities with a cursor, determining a set of adequate user actions to execute on the entities and providing a suggestion menu which contains the set of adequate user actions, partly determined by a geometric analysis on any of the entities in an area within a predetermined proximity of the cursor. A computer program product and server for manipulating a CAD model are also described.