CAD Design Entity Rendering in Object-Oriented Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CAD software limits users in creating and modifying designs due to rudimentary geometry-based applications, lack of true product intelligence, and inefficient rendering capabilities, requiring manual replication of views and laborious changes, while object-oriented design programs face challenges in importing CAD data without warning users of design inconsistencies or errors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that instantly renders user-drawn CAD design elements in a three-dimensional interface, allowing users to move, rotate, and edit them, while converting design elements to intelligent objects to correct errors and ensure accuracy, using an intermediate interface to link record-based CAD data with object-oriented databases, enabling advanced features like 'fly-through' navigation and accurate rendering with real-world considerations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional CAD software uses record-based databases to store design entities, then data can be stored sequentially, but the system lacks true product intelligence and requires manual user input for product relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate interface layer between the record-based CAD database and object-oriented design software. This intermediary converts CAD design elements into intelligent objects, enabling product intelligence without requiring a complete system overhaul. The intermediate layer translates geometric data into objects with semantic meaning, relationships, and behavioral capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the fundamental data structure parameter from record-based storage to object-oriented representation. By changing how data is organized and accessed - from sequential records to intelligent objects with properties, methods, and relationships - the system gains product intelligence while maintaining compatibility with existing CAD workflows.
2Ease of operation
If CAD software provides rudimentary geometry-based applications, then the system remains simple to operate, but users cannot efficiently create or modify designs with true product intelligence
Solution Approach 1:
The intelligent objects automatically perform tasks that previously required manual user input. The system self-services by automatically understanding product relationships, calculating connections, and managing design data, freeing users from tedious manual operations while maintaining ease of use through familiar CAD interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing CAD design elements into intelligent objects with embedded product knowledge. This preliminary conversion enables automatic relationship recognition and connection calculation before the user even begins the design modification process, significantly improving efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If object-oriented design programs import CAD data, then advanced features become available, but users are not warned of design inconsistencies or errors
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate interface implements feedback mechanisms that monitor the conversion process from CAD elements to intelligent objects. The system provides feedback to users about design inconsistencies, errors, and warnings during the import and conversion process, allowing users to correct issues before proceeding with the design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively identifying and flagging potential design errors and inconsistencies before they cause problems. The intermediate interface performs preliminary validation and warning generation during the conversion process, preventing erroneous data from propagating through the design system.
4Device complexity
If conventional rendering processes are used, then the system maintains simplicity, but users experience time-consuming manual replication of views and laborious changes
Solution Approach 1:
The intelligent objects serve multiple functions simultaneously - they represent geometric design elements, contain product intelligence, enable automated relationships, and provide rendering capabilities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate rendering software and manual view replication, significantly reducing rendering time while maintaining system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the rendering functionality directly into the object-oriented design environment. By combining what were previously separate processes (CAD modeling and 3D rendering) into a unified system, the patent eliminates time-consuming manual view replication and allows real-time rendering updates as designs change.
Data Source
AI summary
An object-oriented design program provides is configured to instantly render in a three-dimensional interface user CAD designs received as CAD-based design elements (e.g., CAD blocks or lines). The object-oriented program renders the user CAD designs regardless of whether the user designs are practical, or use finishes or colors that are in-stock for the selected design elements. In addition, the object-oriented program can also create intelligent software objects for the CAD-based elements at a later time, upon request by the user. The intelligent software objects can be configured to automatically resolve themselves in view of one or more system limitations and rules in related components, and to replicate any such resolution back to the CAD-based blocks if desired. Thus, a user can have the benefits of instant 3D rendering of CAD drawings with or without the automatic resolution provided by intelligent software objects, depending on the situation.