CAD Model Grid Recognition and Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD model compression methods do not efficiently detect or create regular grids of equal elements, leading to increased resource requirements and user effort in editing and maintaining these models.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that automatically identifies equal elements in a CAD model, determines their insertion positions, and replaces them with grid data, using linearly independent vectors and repetition information to maintain grid regularity, reducing the need for multiple element references and insertion positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple individual element references and insertion positions are stored in the CAD model, then complete geometric information is preserved, but storage space and processing resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual element references and insertion positions into a single grid data structure. Instead of storing each element reference separately, the invention combines them into a unified grid representation that captures the regular pattern, significantly reducing data volume while preserving complete geometric information through the grid's mathematical definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid data structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores the geometric pattern, defines repetition rules, provides compression, and enables efficient editing. This multi-functional approach replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate data structures, addressing both information completeness and storage efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If each element instance is stored individually with full details, then editing precision is maintained, but user effort and time for editing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple editable elements into a single grid data structure, allowing users to edit the entire pattern by modifying one grid definition rather than individually adjusting each element. This maintains editing precision through the grid's mathematical parameters while dramatically reducing user effort and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid data structure uses mathematical parameters (vectors, repetition counts, transformation matrices) that allow precise control over element positions and orientations. By changing these parameters, users can precisely adjust the entire pattern at once, maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing editing time.
3Ease of operation
If regular grid patterns are not automatically detected, then existing CAD workflows are maintained, but resource requirements and user effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic grid detection and compression without requiring explicit user commands or manual intervention. The CAD software autonomously analyzes element arrangements, detects regular patterns, and applies compression, making the process transparent to users while improving both workflow simplicity and resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid detection and compression process is performed automatically during model creation or import, preparing the data in an optimized format before the user begins editing. This preliminary action reduces subsequent processing requirements and simplifies the user workflow without adding manual steps.
4Quantity of substance
If grid compression is applied to reduce data volume, then storage efficiency improves, but detection and measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual or complex heuristic grid detection methods with an automated computational system that uses mathematical algorithms to identify regular patterns. This substitution handles the detection complexity internally, achieving compression without burdening the user with difficult measurement and analysis tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
A multitude of equal elements is identified in a CAD model. An element is an entity, a feature, a grid, an entity reference, a feature reference or a grid reference. Equal elements comprise an identical element geometry. A regular grid of multiple repetition positions is determined based on insertion positions of equal elements of the multitude. A group of multiple equal elements of the multitude, which comprise an insertion position associated with a repetition position of the regular grid, is replaced in the CAD model with grid data. The grid data comprises a grid insertion position, element data, and element repetition data. The element data may be a pointer to an element definition comprising said identical element geometry. The element repetition data may comprise linearly independent vectors and a number of repetitions according to each vector. Compression and ergonomic subsequent user editing of the CAD model are achieved.