PLM Database Progressive Rendering via Octree Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CAD and PLM systems face challenges in efficiently displaying large 3D models due to high memory requirements and slow rendering times, especially when dealing with complex products containing millions of parts, as the entire model must be loaded into memory for visualization.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a process that incrementally displays objects based on their visibility in the view, using bounding volumes and an octree structure to identify and load only the necessary parts, allowing for progressive and efficient rendering with reduced memory consumption and faster display times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire model is loaded into memory for visualization, then complete object selection and editing capability is achieved, but memory consumption becomes excessively high and rendering time becomes unacceptably long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large 3D model into multiple smaller objects or components that can be independently managed. Instead of loading the entire assembly into memory, the system segments the model hierarchy and loads only the visible or currently relevant portions, thereby reducing memory consumption while maintaining the ability to select and edit individual objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial loading of the model by identifying and loading only the subset of objects that are currently visible or relevant to the user's viewpoint. This partial action approach allows the system to provide full editing capability for visible objects without the overhead of loading the entire model, thus resolving the contradiction between operational completeness and memory efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the entire model is loaded into memory for visualization, then complete object selection and editing capability is achieved, but rendering time becomes unacceptably long
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the model into hierarchical components and loading only the necessary portions for the current view, the system reduces the total rendering workload. This segmentation allows rendering to focus on a smaller subset of objects, significantly decreasing rendering time while preserving full selection and editing capabilities for the loaded objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial rendering by identifying and rendering only the visible objects in the current viewpoint rather than the entire model. This partial rendering approach dramatically reduces rendering time while maintaining complete interactivity for the displayed objects, as the unloaded portions are not yet rendered but can be quickly loaded when needed.
3Productivity
If only visible objects are displayed to reduce memory usage, then rendering performance improves, but the ability to select and edit hidden objects is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the model into a hierarchical structure where parent assemblies and child components are organized in levels. This segmentation enables the system to load and display only the currently visible portion while maintaining the hierarchical relationships, allowing users to navigate to and load hidden objects when needed without compromising rendering performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary hierarchical structure that bridges between the loaded visible objects and the unloaded hidden objects. This intermediary hierarchy allows users to navigate through the model structure, select hidden objects through the hierarchy view, and trigger their loading when needed, thus maintaining full editing capability without requiring all objects to be simultaneously loaded in memory.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed to an apparatus, a computer program and a process for displaying objects of a PLM database, comprising steps of: - providing a PLM database containing modeled objects and a graphical user interface (100); - identifying (S200) a viewpoint on a view (110) of objects (21 - 24) to be rendered; and - rendering (S210 - 270) said view according to the viewpoint, wherein the step of rendering comprises: - determining (S210) a plurality of locations (32a - i) in the view; - searching the database and identifying therein modeled objects according to the determined locations, and - incrementally displaying (S220 - S270) in the graphical user interface the modeled objects identified so as to rendering said view.