3D CAD Pattern Recognition for Face Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CAD systems lack efficiency in recognizing and handling multiple copies of a feature and their layouts, requiring numerous user interventions and failing to identify complex patterns effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that identifies and forms groups of faces in a 3D modeled object's boundary representation, associating adjacent faces that undergo rigid motion transformations, enabling the recognition of geometrical patterns such as linear, circular, and grid patterns, and extending these patterns to facilitate design modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional CAD systems handle multiple copies of features individually, then each feature can be modified independently, but the number of user interventions increases significantly and design efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple identical or similar features into a single selectable group that can be modified collectively. The system identifies features with identical geometry and topology, groups them together, and allows users to perform operations on the entire group in one action rather than individually on each feature, thus resolving the contradiction between independent modification capability and design efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal selection mechanism that can handle both individual feature selection and multiple feature selection simultaneously. The system provides a unified interface that adapts its behavior based on the selection context, allowing the same tool to work on single features or groups of features without requiring different操作流程, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining productivity
2Adaptability or versatility
If CAD systems recognize simple patterns, then pattern handling is easier, but complex geometrical patterns such as linear, circular, and grid arrangements are not identified effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pattern recognition process into distinct stages: first identifying individual features with identical geometry and topology, then analyzing their spatial relationships to detect arrangement patterns. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex patterns by breaking down the detection into manageable steps, reducing the overall difficulty while expanding adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends pattern recognition from two-dimensional arrangements to three-dimensional spatial configurations. By incorporating Z-coordinate analysis and 3D rigid motion detection, the system can identify patterns in multiple dimensions including linear arrangements, circular patterns, and grid structures, significantly enhancing adaptability without overwhelming complexity
3Measurement precision
If users manually select and group each feature individually, then precise control over feature selection is achieved, but the time required for feature grouping increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary automatic grouping of features based on their geometry and topology before the user needs to make selections. The system pre-identifies features that share identical characteristics and organizes them into candidate groups, so when users need to select features, the precise grouping is already prepared, eliminating the time-consuming manual grouping process while maintaining selection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an interactive feedback mechanism where the system presents automatically detected feature groups to the user for validation or modification. Users can review the pre-grouped features, accept the automatic grouping, or adjust it as needed, combining the speed of automatic detection with the precision of user control, thus reducing time loss while maintaining accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided a computer-implemented method for designing a three-dimensional modeled object. The method comprises providing a boundary representation of the modeled object; determining a subset of the set of faces for which the faces are a copy one of another; forming a first group of faces within the subset that form a geometrical pattern; and associating to the first group of faces at least one second group of faces that are, for each face of the second group, adjacent to a respective face of the first group and that are, for each pair of faces of the second group, compliant with the rigid motion that transforms, one into the other, the respective faces of the first group to which the faces of the pair are adjacent. Such a method improves the design of a 3D modeled object.