Curve Editing with Transient Constraint Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional curve editing in computer-aided design and manufacturing systems requires either no constraints or full system constraining, which lacks the advantages of synchronous technology, such as automated, local, and intuitive editing, and often fails to maintain design intent, especially in large unconstrained curve sets.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selecting curves, inferring relationships between them, modifying the curve set while enforcing these relationships, and post-processing to reapply constraints, allowing for transient constraint management and maintaining design intent during modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full system constraining is applied for curve editing, then design intent is maintained, but editing flexibility and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the constraint application process into three distinct phases: pre-processing (de-activating constraints), modification (intuitive editing without constraint interference), and post-processing (re-applying constraints). This temporal segmentation allows the system to maintain design intent while providing editing flexibility during the modification phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by de-activating constraints before curve modification and re-applying them after modification. This preliminary preparation and restoration of constraints enables intuitive editing while preserving design intent, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If no constraints are applied for curve editing, then editing flexibility is improved, but design intent maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint system dynamically transitions between active and inactive states based on the editing phase. During modification, constraints are inactive to provide flexibility; after modification, constraints are reactivated to maintain design intent. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between flexibility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies constraints periodically at specific stages: before modification (pre-processing) and after modification (post-processing). This periodic application ensures design intent is maintained at critical moments while allowing flexibility during the actual editing process.
3Productivity
If transient constraint solving is implemented, then editing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the constraint solving process from the main editing workflow and implements it as a separate post-processing step. The system solves transient constraints after modification rather than during it, reducing the complexity of the real-time editing system while maintaining productivity through automated constraint resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary constraint solving process that acts as a mediator between the modification phase and the final constrained model. This intermediary step handles the complex constraint solving automatically, improving editing efficiency while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for modifying geometric models and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving a geometric model, the geometric model including a plurality of curves. The method includes receiving a selection of one or more curves of the plurality of curves, finding at least one other curve of the plurality of curves that is related to the selected curve, and finding relationships between the selected curve and the other curve(s), including adding the selected curve, the other curve(s), and the relationships to a selected curve set. The method includes pre-processing the selected curve set, including de-activating a set of constraints for the geometric model. The method includes receiving a modification of the selected curve and modifying the selected curve set to produce a modified geometric model and modified selected curve set. The method includes post-processing the modified selected curve set, including re-activating and applying constraints for the geometric model.