Extensible framework for capturing feature information in a neutral format

• US 20010034596A1
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: Leite, Aristides G. Jr., Poorman, Glenn M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,961,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/17 Mechanical parametric or variational design
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/10 Constructive solid geometry [CSG] using solid primitives, e.g. cylinders, cubes
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/32 Image data format
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure

Abstract

Flexible framework within a CAD application program is described that serves as a neutral format for feature information relating to modeling data for a solid body. The framework is hierarchical in nature to allow for ease of use and universal access to the design data. The hierarchical framework is independent of the underlying feature information as well as independent of the underlying CAD program.

Claims

1. A computerized method of representing a feature of a parametric solid model, comprising the steps of:

creating a hierarchical framework for storing features of a parametrically modeled solid body;

creating at least one class within the hierarchical framework;

generating a neutral representation of the feature of the parametrically modeled solid body; and

storing the generated neutral representation as an entry in the hierarchical framework.

2. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the classes comprise feature descriptors and feature informers.

3. The method of

claim 2

, wherein the feature informers comprise feature locators, feature terminators, and feature combiners.

4. The method of

claim 3

, wherein the feature locators provide location information that locates a feature with respect to another feature of the parametrically modeled solid body.

5. The method of

claim 3

, wherein the feature combiners combine a first feature with a second feature of the parametrically modeled solid body.

6. The method of

claim 2

, wherein the feature descriptors provide a geometrical aspect of the parametrically modeled body.

7. A computer-implemented apparatus for displaying information, comprising:

a computer having a monitor attached thereto;

a hierarchical framework for storing features of a parametrically modeled solid body, the hierarchical framework comprising at least one class;

means, performed by the computer, for generating a neutral representation of the feature of the parametrically modeled solid body; and

means, performed by the computer, for storing the generated neutral representation as an entry in the hierarchical framework.

8. The apparatus of

claim 7

, wherein the classes comprise feature descriptors and feature informers.

9. The apparatus of

claim 8

, wherein the feature informers comprise feature locators, feature terminators, and feature combiners.

10. The apparatus of

claim 9

, wherein the feature locators provide location information that locates a feature with respect to another feature of the parametrically modeled solid body.

11. The apparatus of

claim 9

, wherein the feature combiners combine a first feature with a second feature of the parametrically modeled solid body.

12. The apparatus of

claim 8

, wherein the feature descriptors provide a geometrical aspect of the parametrically modeled body.

13. An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps of displaying information on a monitor attached to the computer, the method comprising the steps of:

creating a hierarchical framework for storing features of a parametrically modeled solid body;

creating at least one class within the hierarchical framework;

generating a neutral representation of the feature of the parametrically modeled solid body; and

storing the generated neutral representation as an entry in the hierarchical framework.

14. The article of manufacture of

claim 13

, wherein the classes comprise feature descriptors and feature informers.

15. The article of manufacture of

claim 14

, wherein the feature informers comprise feature locators, feature terminators, and feature combiners.

16. The article of manufacture of

claim 15

, wherein the feature locators provide location information that locates a feature with respect to another feature of the parametrically modeled solid body.

17. The article of manufacture of

claim 15

, wherein the feature combiners combine a first feature with a second feature of the parametrically Modeled solid body.

18. The article of manufacture of

claim 14

, wherein the feature descriptors provide a geometrical aspect of the parametrically modeled body.