Multi-User CAD Design Negotiation via Markup Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD systems face challenges in effectively negotiating design changes, especially involving complex geometry modifications, as text-based methods like red-lining are insufficient to convey and understand design changes among multiple users.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for multi-user design negotiation in CAD software, where design changes are captured as 'design change suggestion' objects, allowing users to receive, review, and apply changes, including geometry and attribute modifications, with features for previewing, querying properties, and comparing designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If text-based red-lining methods are used for design change communication, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases for complex geometry modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual copies of the design changes by generating markup images that overlay the original CAD model with colored annotations. These markup images visually replicate the geometric changes, allowing users to see exactly what modifications are proposed without losing geometric information. The system captures the state of the CAD model before and after changes and generates visual representations that preserve spatial and geometric relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional text-based communication to a multi-dimensional visual representation system. By generating markup images that overlay colored annotations on the CAD model, the system adds visual dimensions (color coding, spatial positioning, graphical markers) to convey geometric change information that text alone cannot express.
2Ease of operation
If viewer software with markups and text notes is used, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases for complicated geometry modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates markup images that are visual copies of the CAD model with overlaid annotations. These images capture the complete geometric state and proposed changes, preserving spatial relationships and dimensional information that text notes cannot convey. The markup images serve as accurate visual replicas that maintain all geometric modification details.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color-coded annotations in the markup images to differentiate between various types of design changes. Different colors represent different categories of modifications (e.g., additions, deletions, modifications), allowing users to quickly understand the nature and extent of geometry changes without reading extensive text descriptions.
3Loss of information
If CAD processes are used for design change negotiation, then loss of information decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces markup images as an intermediary between the CAD model and the negotiation process. These markup images serve as a visual mediator that translates complex CAD geometry changes into easily understandable visual annotations. The markup generation module acts as an intermediary that automatically creates these visual representations, reducing the complexity burden on users while preserving complete design information.
4Ease of operation
If text documents are used for design change exchange, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision decreases for complex geometry changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates precise visual copies of the CAD model with markup annotations that accurately represent geometric changes. These markup images preserve exact dimensional relationships, positions, and geometries, ensuring that manufacturing precision is maintained. The visual annotations directly reference specific geometric features, eliminating ambiguity present in text descriptions.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of performing multi-user design negotiation on a computer-aided design (CAD) software is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, from a first user, a design change to the geometric shape design, and obtaining information of the design change implementable on a CAD model of the geometric shape design through the CAD software; storing the information of the design change as a design change suggestion (DCS) object; transmitting the DCS object, together with the CAD model, to a second user; and receiving, from the second user, an instruction to the DCS object, and performing an operation corresponding to the instruction to the DCS object. In response to a what-if instruction, the operation is a what-if operation to the geometric shape design with the design change according to the DCS object. In response to an accepting or rejection instruction, the operation includes accepting or rejecting the design change.