Tabbed UI for Lightweight CAD Viewer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems generate large files that hinder transfer to other computing systems, necessitating a lightweight, tessellated representation of CAD models for efficient sharing and viewing, particularly in environments with limited display space.
Innovation Solution
A user interface with a tabbed interface is created, allowing selective display of information layers within a common display region, using geometric objects and content objects that can be dynamically linked to view objects, enabling efficient information presentation and storage in a lightweight file format like PDF, excluding the original CAD model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a lightweight, tessellated representation of the CAD model is generated and stored in a PDF or another file format, then the file size is reduced and transfer to other computing systems is facilitated, but the ability to support complex user interface features such as tabbed interfaces may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information display into multiple layers, where each layer corresponds to a tab in the tabbed interface. This allows the lightweight tessellated model to present complex information in an organized, manageable way without requiring the viewer to support the full complexity of the original CAD system. The segmentation of information into discrete layers enables efficient rendering and interaction while maintaining file size benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the lightweight tessellated model and the user interface - the multi-layer information structure. This intermediary allows the simple PDF or lightweight file format to effectively support complex tabbed interface features by translating high-level tab interactions into layer-based information display, bridging the gap between limited file format capabilities and sophisticated UI requirements.
2Ease of operation
If multiple layers of information are displayed in a common display region using a tabbed interface, then information organization and accessibility are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides information into multiple discrete layers that can be independently controlled and displayed. Each layer represents a distinct tab or information category, allowing users to access specific information sets without being overwhelmed by the entire dataset. This segmentation simplifies user interaction while maintaining comprehensive information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple information layers into a single common display region, where layers are stacked and only the active layer is visible at any given time. This combining approach maintains a clean, simple interface appearance while embedding complex multi-layer information structures, effectively hiding interface complexity from the user while preserving full functionality.
3Loss of information
If the content objects are configured to selectively display information associated with the tessellated model, then information clarity is improved, but the processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by displaying only the active layer's information at any given time, rather than rendering all layers simultaneously. The content objects are configured to selectively display information based on the currently selected tab, reducing the processing burden while maintaining complete information availability. This approach provides full information access functionality with minimal processing requirements at any moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior where content objects can switch between displaying different layer information based on user interaction with tabs. This dynamic switching allows the system to maintain a single, simple display state at any moment while providing access to multiple information sets over time, effectively reducing processing requirements while preserving information clarity and completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface for a lightweight viewer may include, among other things, a viewing window operable to display geometry established by one or more geometric objects of a tessellated model and an information window established by a plurality of content objects of the tessellated model. The content objects are associated with respective layers of the tessellated model that occupy a common display region. The content objects are operable to selectively display information associated with the tessellated model in response to user interaction with the respective content object such that the respective layer is activated but a remainder of the layers are deactivated in the common display region. A method of establishing a tessellated model is also disclosed.