Hybrid Surface Modeling with Subdivision and NURBS
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface modeling techniques in computer graphics and CAD/CAID applications face limitations, such as isolation of Subdivision Surface and NURBS methods, which hinder efficient creation and modification of complex shapes, especially for less experienced users, and result in slow workflows.
Innovation Solution
Hybrid surface modeling integrates Subdivision Surfaces and NURBS technologies, allowing seamless interaction and combination of both methods to define complex shapes quickly, with NURBS surfaces generated from Subdivision Surface models, enabling direct editing and high-quality surface definition without the need for intermediate steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Subdivision Surface and NURBS methods are used separately in traditional workflows, then each method can be applied with its specialized tools, but the workflow becomes slow and tedious requiring multiple intermediate steps and conversions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges Subdivision Surface and NURBS surface modeling methods into a single unified data model where both surface types can coexist and interact seamlessly. The hybrid data model allows NURBS surfaces to be generated directly from Subdivision Surface limit surfaces without requiring intermediate export/import steps or format conversions, eliminating workflow bottlenecks and enabling direct editing of both surface types within the same application environment.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional separate workflows are used for Subdivision Surface and NURBS modeling, then each surface type can be modeled with dedicated tools, but the design cycle time increases due to multiple conversion steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary generation of NURBS surfaces from Subdivision Surface limit surfaces automatically within the modeling workflow, before any manufacturing or detailed design steps. This preliminary action creates high-quality NURBS representations that can be directly used for subsequent design operations, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual conversions and allowing designers to work with precision NURBS surfaces from the outset.
3Manufacturing precision
If NURBS surfaces are generated from Subdivision Surface models, then high-quality surface definition is achieved, but the data model complexity increases to manage hybrid surface types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal hybrid data model that can represent both Subdivision Surface and NURBS surfaces using a common data structure. This multi-functional data model allows the system to handle different surface types uniformly, enabling single operations to work on both Subdivision and NURBS surfaces without requiring separate processing paths or complex conversion mechanisms, thereby managing data model complexity while supporting high-quality surface definitions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design of structures include, in one aspect, a method including: providing a hybrid surface model including a subdivision surface, a set of NURBS surfaces (which are directly editable using NURBS modeling tools) representing a limit surface of the subdivision surface, and topological information for the limit surface, where a modified NURBS surface has an associated history procedure specifying a previous direct edit of the modified NURBS surface; receiving input to modify the subdivision surface; obtaining an updated limit surface for the subdivision surface responsive to the input; finding the modified NURBS surface, which has a replacement NURBS surface for the updated limit surface, using the topological information; updating the modified NURBS surface with the replacement NURBS surface; and applying the previous direct edit to the replacement NURBS surface using the associated history procedure.