3D Stroke-Based Modeling Method for Reducing Computational Overhead

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for designing three-dimensional modeled objects are inefficient due to the lack of integration between sketch and tracer steps, requiring heavy computing resources and relying on 2D imports, which limits productivity and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that allows users to interact with a screen to define strokes, discretize them into points, project these points onto a three-dimensional scene, and construct the object, reducing computational resources and enabling faster creation of complex models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If 2D drawings are imported and geometrical curves are inferred from them, then the design process can proceed, but heavy computing resources are required for computing the geometrical curves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign process feasibilityVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from 2D drawing imports to direct 3D freeform stroke input. Users draw strokes directly in 3D space, and the system constructs 3D polygonal surface models directly from these strokes, eliminating the need for 2D-to-3D conversion computations and reducing computational resource requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential silhouette information through freeform strokes, removing the unnecessary intermediate step of importing and processing complete 2D drawings. The system takes out only the critical shape-defining elements needed for 3D model construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If sketch is performed on paper and then imported to software, then the creative phase is separated, but the sketch and tracer steps are not integrated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign workflow separationVSAvoidprocess integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sketching and tracing steps into a single integrated process. Users perform freeform strokes directly in the 3D modeling environment, and the system automatically constructs the 3D model from these strokes, eliminating the need for separate paper sketching and software tracing phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automatic 3D model construction from user strokes without requiring manual intervention for curve inference or surface generation. The computational process serves itself by automatically converting strokes to 3D models, reducing the need for complex user-guided processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple computations are required for computing geometrical curves from 2D drawings, then accurate 3D models can be created, but productivity is reduced due to heavy computing resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D model accuracyVSAvoiddesign speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent skips the computationally intensive intermediate steps of 2D drawing import, curve inference, and surface computation. Users draw strokes directly in 3D space, and the system rapidly constructs 3D models through simplified algorithms, significantly reducing computation time while maintaining model accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical process of 2D-to-3D conversion with a direct 3D stroke-based modeling approach. The computational mechanism is substituted from complex curve-fitting algorithms to simpler polygonal surface construction from stroke points, reducing computational overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2523130B1Method for designing a geometrical three-dimensional modeled object
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 DASSAULT SYSTEMES SA
  • EP2523130B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2523130B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2523130B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is proposed a computer-implemented method for designing a three-dimensional modeled object, wherein the method comprises the steps of: - user-interacting (S100) with a screen; - defining a stroke (S110) corresponding to the user-interacting; - discretizing the stroke (S120) into a set of points; - projecting the set of points (S130) onto at least one support in a three-dimensional scene; - constructing the three-dimensional modeled object (S140) from the projected set of points and the said at least one support.