Single CAD Modification Tool for Intuitive 3D Geometry Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD systems require users to navigate multiple tools and record historical changes, making it cumbersome and time-consuming to create and edit 3D solids and surfaces, as they force users to rebuild objects and manage constraints, lacking intuitive modifications and real-time previews.
Innovation Solution
A single tool, the Pull tool, infers the user's intended modification based on context, allowing for real-time editing of 3D solids and surfaces without recording historical changes, enabling intuitive modifications by predicting actions and updating geometry in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate tools are used for different geometry operations, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to switch between tools and manage multiple interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single geometry modification tool that can perform multiple operations (extrude, revolve, sweep, loft, shell, cap, cut, trim, fillet, chamfer) through one unified interface. The tool automatically infers the user's intended operation based on the selected geometry elements and context, eliminating the need to switch between multiple specialized tools while maintaining full functionality for each operation type
2Productivity
If parametric history recording is implemented, then the reliability and adaptability of the system improve through maintainable design history, but the productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to rollback and recreate changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the history recording functionality from the core modification process. Instead of recording every parameter and step in the parametric history, the system performs direct geometry modifications without maintaining detailed historical records. This allows users to modify geometry freely without being constrained by history management, significantly improving productivity while still providing sufficient reliability through the stability of the final geometry
3Ease of operation
If the system requires explicit commands for each modification type, then the measurement precision and control improve, but the ease of operation and productivity deteriorate due to the need for users to know and select the correct tool for each operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic inference of the user's intended modification type based on the selected geometry elements and their relationships. The tool analyzes the context (such as selected faces, edges, or vertices and their spatial relationships) and automatically determines the appropriate operation without requiring explicit user specification. This self-service approach maintains precision by accurately inferring user intent while dramatically improving ease of operation
4Productivity
If real-time modification is implemented, then the productivity and ease of operation improve through immediate feedback, but the use of energy and computational resources increase due to continuous geometry recalculation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs selective real-time updates by recalculating only the portions of geometry that are directly affected by the user's modification action. Instead of completely regenerating the entire model, the tool identifies and updates only the relevant local geometry and its immediate dependencies. This partial action approach provides real-time feedback for improved productivity while minimizing the computational energy required compared to full model recalculation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for creating and editing 3D solids and surfaces in an intuitive manner are described. A single tool infers the most-likely correct action based on its context to a particular geometry case. The single modification tool predicts a user's intended modification, and performs the predicted modification without recording related history information. The method includes receiving a selection of the at least one CAD object. The method also includes the tool automatically predicting the user's intended type of modification to the at least one CAD object based on the type of the at least one CAD object and the at least one CAD object's relationships with the geometry of at least one surrounding CAD object. The tool can performing multiple types of modifications, and the modification is selected from the multiple types of modifications, without explicit commands from the user directing the type of modification to be performed.