Solid Model Face Splitting via Distance-Sorted Adjacency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer-aided design (CAD) systems face challenges in modifying solid models, particularly in history-based systems where design intent is fixed at creation, making changes difficult, and in history-less systems where capturing geometric relationships is cumbersome and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A system that selects a point on a solid model, sorts adjacent faces by distance, determines convex conditions, and imprints candidate curves to prepare the model for modification, allowing for intuitive face splitting and modification based on user intent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If history-based parametric modeling is used to maintain design intent, then design intent is preserved, but modification flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between history-based and history-less modes. When a user selects a face for modification, the system temporarily suspends history-based constraints to allow flexible modification, then automatically restores and updates the design intent relationships after modification. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by allowing both design intent preservation and modification flexibility at different stages of the design process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If history-less body-based approach is used for modification, then modification flexibility is improved, but design intent capture becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic design intent capture through algorithms that analyze the modified geometry and automatically generate appropriate design intent relationships. When a user modifies a face, the system self-services by detecting the modification, determining the appropriate intent relationship (such as coplanarity), and creating the necessary constraints automatically, eliminating the need for manual intent capture while maintaining flexibility.
3Measurement precision
If manual face selection is required for modification, then precision is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical face selection with automated computer-based algorithms. When a user initiates a modification operation, the system automatically identifies and selects the appropriate face based on the modification type and model geometry, substituting the manual selection process with automated computation. This maintains precise face selection while dramatically reducing operation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer program for selecting modifications to a solid model that is manipulated in a computer having software instructions, comprising a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a memory, a processor, a user input device, and a display device; a computer generated geometric model stored in the memory in the memory of the computer system; and wherein the computer system selects a selecting point on a modification feature directly on a solid model using a computer peripheral input; sorts by distance a plurality of adjacent faces that are adjacent to a selection face determined by the selecting point; determines whether a convex condition exists wherein the plurality of adjacent faces are convex to the selection face; determines whether a candidate curves exists where the plurality of adjacent faces share a same surface with a previously visited face and the convex condition exists; imprints the candidate curve on the solid model to prepare the solid model for modification according to a modification intent from a user; modifies the solid model according to the modification intent that results in a modified solid model and modified visual display information; and displays the modified solid model using the modified visual display information to the user, and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.