CAD Conversion Acyclic Graph Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CAD conversion techniques face challenges in addressing spatial ambiguities and preserving human-readable names and information relationships when converting from a file-based storage format to a relational database-based storage format, particularly due to multiple root models, cycles, and multiple attachment paths leading to element duplications and loss of information relationships.

Innovation Solution

The technique generates an acyclic model graph using a single project coordinate system, duplicates models as needed to break cycles, and preserves human-readable names and information relationships by creating categories and subcategories, ensuring a coherent representation and maintaining display status and symbology overrides in the relational database-based storage format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing CAD conversion techniques are used to convert from file-based storage format to relational database-based storage format, then conversion between different CAD applications is enabled, but spatial ambiguities and information relationship losses occur due to multiple root models, cycles, and multiple attachment paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteroperability between CAD applicationsVSAvoidloss of human-readable names and information relationships

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the model graph into multiple acyclic subgraphs, each corresponding to a specific graphical view. By breaking down the complex model graph with cycles and multiple root models into view-specific acyclic subgraphs, the conversion process can preserve information relationships while enabling interoperability between different CAD applications and versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing CAD conversion techniques are used, then conversion between different CAD applications is enabled, but element duplications occur due to multiple attachment paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteroperability between CAD applicationsVSAvoidelement duplications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the model graph into multiple acyclic subgraphs, each corresponding to a specific graphical view. By breaking down the complex model graph with cycles and multiple root models into view-specific acyclic subgraphs, the conversion process can preserve information relationships while enabling interoperability between different CAD applications and versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by identifying and resolving cycles and multiple attachment paths before the actual conversion process. The system pre-processes the model graph to establish a coherent representation that eliminates duplications, ensuring accurate element mapping during conversion to the relational database-based storage format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a direct conversion approach is used, then conversion speed is maintained, but coherence and accuracy of the CAD representation deteriorate due to spatial ambiguities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion speedVSAvoidcoherence and accuracy of CAD representation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by identifying and resolving cycles and multiple attachment paths before the actual conversion process. The system pre-processes the model graph to establish a coherent representation that eliminates duplications, ensuring accurate element mapping during conversion to the relational database-based storage format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3433770B1Methods, electronic device and computer-readable medium for the conversion of CAD descriptions

Publication Date: 2024.06.19 BENTLEY SYSTEMS INC

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AI summary

In one embodiment, techniques are provided for converting a CAD description maintained in a first storage format (e.g., a file-based storage format) of a source re-pository to a second storage format (e.g., a relational database-based storage format) of an output repository. The techniques may, generate a single, coherent representa-tion from spatially ambiguous "fragments" by generating an acyclic model graph for each graphical view, and then storing models of the acyclic model graph in the second storage format (e.g., the relational database-based storage format). The techniques may further produce a post-conversion CAD description that preserves human-readable names and information relationships related to levels by examining attach-ment specific copies of level structures (i.e. levels and attached levels) referenced from attachments, and generating from these categories and subcategories in the second storage format (e.g., the relational database-based storage format).