CAD Drawing Comparison and Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD software lacks efficient tools for comparing and cleaning up complex drawings, leading to conflicts and increased file size due to duplicated and unnecessary data, which complicates collaborative design processes and hinders the conversion of 2D drawings to 3D representations.
Innovation Solution
A software system that enables users to compare and clean up CAD drawings by highlighting added, deleted, and unchanged graphic objects, filtering out unnecessary data, and converting 2D drawings to 3D, while also detecting conflicts and facilitating real-time conflict resolution through a collaborative design platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If CAD drawings are used to illustrate complicated objects with multiple components, then design capability is improved, but drawing complexity and file size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the CAD drawing into multiple layers, allowing users to organize different components (structural, HVAC, plumbing, electrical) into separate layers. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual layers while maintaining the overall complexity of the complete drawing, making it easier to manage and process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary data and duplicated objects from CAD drawings through automated cleaning processes. This extraction of harmful elements (redundant data, duplicate objects) reduces file size and drawing complexity while preserving the essential design information.
2Productivity
If multiple subcontractors work on CAD drawings in parallel, then productivity is improved, but conflicts and coordination complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated comparison tools that provide feedback to subcontractors about conflicts and changes in real-time. The system detects conflicts between drawings and notifies relevant parties, enabling coordinated resolution without requiring constant manual communication and reducing coordination complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary software system that mediates between multiple subcontractors' drawings. This intermediary automatically compares drawings, identifies conflicts, and facilitates coordination, reducing the direct coordination complexity between multiple users working in parallel.
3Measurement precision
If 2D drawings are converted to 3D models, then design accuracy and visualization are improved, but conversion complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cleaning and organization of 2D drawings (removing duplicates, organizing layers) before conversion to 3D. This preliminary action prepares the data in advance, reducing the complexity and time required for the actual conversion process while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a cleaned and organized copy of the 2D drawing data structure that is optimized for 3D conversion. This copying process preserves all necessary design information while creating a streamlined version that converts more efficiently to 3D models.
4Loss of information
If CAD drawings contain duplicated and unnecessary data, then data completeness is improved, but file size and processing efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent automatically discards duplicated and unnecessary data from CAD drawings while recovering and preserving essential design information. The cleaning process identifies and removes redundant objects and data, reducing file size while maintaining data completeness through intelligent recognition of essential information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes harmful data elements (duplicates, unnecessary information) from the drawing while preserving the essential design data. This extraction process reduces file size and improves processing efficiency without compromising the completeness of meaningful information.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses/systems, and software for comparing two drawings to create a compare drawing that includes options for highlighting added and deleted graphic objects, as well as unchanged graphic objects, and comparing one drawing to many or many drawings to many drawings, whether or not the drawings are similar. The invention includes a filtered zoom feature that enables the user to zoom in on a filtered set of graphic objects and to continue to zoom in until a single graphic object is depicted. Detailed information from selected graphic objects can be captured and placed in a list for generating schedule changes, bill of materials, and for other purposes. The invention further includes the ability to detect and report any variances between the drawings, including area differences between drawings depicting physical objects.