Composite Drawing File for CAD Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD applications face issues with imperfect translation of drawing files between different formats, leading to errors and synchronization problems when drawings are modified and viewed across different software, consuming significant processing time and requiring manual reconciliation.
Innovation Solution
A composite drawing file is created that stores a copy of the CAD drawing in the source application's format and generates a visual representation in the target application's format, allowing for synchronization of modifications and inclusion of native objects from both applications, eliminating synchronization issues and enabling seamless interoperability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drawing is translated from source application format to target application format, then the drawing can be accessed by the target application, but the translation process introduces errors and discrepancies resulting in visual representation differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual representation copy of the drawing in the target application format that preserves the appearance and visual characteristics of the original source format drawing. This copy is generated through intelligent translation that maps source format elements to target format equivalents while maintaining visual fidelity, allowing the target application to display a faithful reproduction of the original drawing without requiring perfect format compatibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If the drawing translation is performed to ensure accuracy, then visual representation quality improves, but the processing time and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial translation by focusing only on the visual representation aspects of the drawing that are necessary for display purposes, rather than translating all drawing elements and metadata. This selective approach translates only the essential graphical elements needed to reproduce the visual appearance, sacrificing complete format fidelity to achieve acceptable visual accuracy with reduced processing overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple copies of the drawing are maintained in different formats, then both applications can access the drawing, but synchronization problems occur when modifications are made
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a composite drawing file as an intermediary container that holds both the original source format drawing data and the generated visual representation in target format. This composite structure acts as a mediator between the two applications, allowing modifications to be made in either application while maintaining a single source of truth. The visual representation can be regenerated from the original data to ensure synchronization without requiring manual reconciliation.
4Loss of information
If the translation process is made comprehensive to handle all drawing elements, then translation completeness improves, but the complexity of the translation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the visual representation generation function from the complete translation process. Instead of attempting to translate all drawing elements, metadata, and features, the system focuses specifically on extracting and reproducing the visual graphical elements. This extraction approach handles only the essential visual components needed for display, leaving out less critical elements that would complicate the translation system while still achieving the primary goal of visual fidelity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide data file interoperability between two drawing programs using a single composite drawing file. A method of generating a drawing file shared by a source application and a target application includes storing a copy of a computer aided design (CAD) drawing in a composite drawing file, where the CAD drawing is stored according to a drawing format used by the source application. The method also includes generating a visual representation of the CAD drawing, where the visual representation is formatted according to a drawing format used by the target application. The method also includes storing the visual representation in the composite drawing file, where a display of the visual representation generated by the target application is substantially similar to a display of the CAD drawing generated by the source application.