Zero-Depth Slice View for 3D CAD Component Interaction Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CAD technologies fail to effectively display zero-depth slice views of complex components, making it difficult to analyze and communicate the curvature and profile of 3D products, particularly in industries where interference or fit analysis is crucial, as standard section views lack clarity and require inefficient manual edge hiding.
Innovation Solution
A method to dynamically define and display multiple zero-depth slice views on existing drawing views, allowing users to create open profile sketches as slice lines that represent cutting surfaces, enabling clear representation of intersections between 3D bodies and slice planes, with options for hatching, dimensioning, and shading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If standard section views are used to show component interactions, then the view includes all elements both at and behind the cut plane, but it becomes difficult to distinguish the portion of components that are actually contacted or interact at the cut location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the relevant geometry at the cut plane by creating a zero-depth slice that displays exclusively the intersection curves and surfaces at the specified location. This removes the distracting background elements behind the cut plane while preserving the critical interaction information, directly resolving the contradiction between information clarity and view complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by making the cut plane itself the focal point of the view. The slice display emphasizes the local geometry at the intersection with enhanced visualization techniques such as contour lines, shading, and material hatching specifically at the cut location, while other areas are minimized or excluded, thereby improving local clarity without adding overall complexity.
2Loss of information
If users manually hide edges behind the section line to improve clarity, then the visibility of contacted portions improves, but the process becomes very inefficient and critical edges may be accidentally hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically identifying and displaying only the relevant geometry at the cut plane without requiring manual intervention. The zero-depth slice view automatically calculates and renders the intersection curves and surfaces, eliminating the need for users to manually hide edges while ensuring that no critical edges are accidentally hidden, thus resolving both visibility and efficiency concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of hiding edges with an automated computational system. The software automatically computes the intersection of the cut plane with component surfaces and generates the slice view through algorithmic processing, substituting manual operations with automated digital processes that are both faster and more reliable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple slices are created to analyze curvature and profile at different positions, then the analysis capability improves, but the ability to compare multiple slices simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple slice views into a single composite display that shows multiple cut planes and their corresponding intersection geometries simultaneously. This allows users to compare curvature and profile characteristics across different positions in one unified view, improving analysis capability while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple separate views through integrated visualization techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and computer program product display multiple slices of a three-dimensional body in a computer drawing application. A first view of a 3D body is displayed. One or more slice sketches are defined on the first view. A single slice view of the three dimensional body is displayed. The single slice view simultaneously depicts all of the slices with a zero-depth representation of each slice.