Apparatus, method, and system for drafting multi-dimensional drawings

• US 20030122816A1
• Filed: 12/31/2001
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Software Limited (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Weidman, Jeffrey A., Moon, Bo Kyoung, Yu, Feng
• Granted Patent: US 8,576,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/30 Polynomial surface description

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for interfacing with a surface within a computer-aided drawing environment includes determining that a plurality of curves operable to define the surface constitute a P×1 surface condition. A P×1 surface condition is defined by a number of first curves equal to P and only one second curve. P is an integer greater than zero. The method also includes converting the P×1 surface condition into an N×M surface condition in response to determining that a plurality of curves constitute a P×1 surface condition. An N×M surface condition is defined by a number of third curves equal to N and a number of fourth curves equal to M. N and M are integers greater than one. The method also includes constructing an N×M surface under the N×M surface condition. The method also includes modifying the N×M surface to edit a drawing.

Claims

1. A method for interfacing with a surface within a computer-aided drawing environment, comprising:

determining that a plurality of curves operable to define the surface constitute a P×

1 surface condition, a P×

1 surface condition being defined by a number of first curves equal to P and only one second curve, wherein P is an integer greater than zero;

in response to determining that a plurality of curves constitute a P×

1 surface condition, converting the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition, an N×

M surface condition being defined by a number of third curves equal to N and a number of fourth curves equal to M, wherein N and M are integers greater than one;

constructing an N×

M surface under the N×

M surface condition; and

modifying the N×

M surface to edit a drawing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition comprises generating at least one auxiliary curve that is substantially continuous with any adjoining surfaces of a surface having the P×

1 surface condition and compatible with the number of first curves and the only one second curve that define the P×

1 surface condition.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition comprises generating an N×

M surface condition to replace the P×

1 surface condition.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition comprises generating an N×

M surface condition defined by the third and fourth curves such that the third and fourth curves are defined by mathematical equations all having an order no greater than mathematical equations defining the first and second curves.

5. The method of claim 1, and further comprising processing the first curves and the second curve so that each one of the first curves and the second curve are compatible with each other of the first curves and the second curve.

6. The method of claim 1, and further comprising modifying additional surfaces having the N×

M surface condition to edit the drawing.

7. A method for interfacing with a surface within a computer-aided drawing environment, comprising:

determining that a plurality of curves operable to define the surface constitute a P×

1 surface condition, a P×

1 surface condition being defined by a number of first curves equal to P and only one second curve, wherein P is an integer greater than zero;

in response to determining that a plurality of curves constitute a P×

1 surface condition, converting the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition by generating at least one auxiliary curve that is substantially continuous with any adjoining surfaces of a surface having the P×

1 surface condition and compatible with the number of first curves and the only one second curve that define the P×

1 surface condition, an N×

M surface condition being defined by a number of third curves equal to N and a number of fourth curves equal to M, wherein N and M are integers greater than one;

constructing an N×

M surface under the N×

M surface condition; and

modifying the N×

M surface to edit a drawing.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein converting the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition comprises generating an N×

M surface condition to replace the P×

1 surface condition.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein converting the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition comprises generating an N×

M surface condition defined by the third and fourth curves such that the third and fourth curves are defined by mathematical equations all having an order no greater than mathematical equations defining the first and second curves.

10. The method of claim 7, and further comprising processing the first curves and the second curve so that each one of the first curves and the second curve are compatible with each other of the first curves and the second curve.

11. The method of claim 7, and further comprising modifying additional surfaces having the N×

M surface condition to edit the drawing.

12. An apparatus for interfacing with a surface within a computer-aided drawing environment, comprising:

a software program stored on a computer readable medium and operable, when executed on a processor, to;

determine that a plurality of curves operable to define the surface constitute a P×

1 surface condition, a P×

1 surface condition being defined by a number of first curves equal to P and only one second curve, wherein P is an integer greater than zero;

in response to determining that a plurality of curves constitute a P×

1 surface condition, convert the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition, an N×

M surface condition being defined by a number of third curves equal to N and a number of fourth curves equal to M, wherein N and M are integers greater than one;

construct an N×

M surface under the N×

M surface condition; and

allow modification of the N×

M surface to edit a drawing.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the software program is operable to convert the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition by generating at least one auxiliary curve that is substantially continuous with any adjoining surfaces of a surface having the P×

1 surface condition and compatible with the number of first curves and the only one second curve that define the P×

1 surface condition.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the software program is operable to convert the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition by generating an N×

M surface condition to replace the P×

1 surface condition.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the software program is operable to convert the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition by generating an N×

M surface condition defined by the third and fourth curves such that the third and fourth curves are defined by mathematical equations all having an order no greater than mathematical equations defining the first and second curves.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the software program is operable to process the first curves and the second curve so that each one of the first curves and the second curve are compatible with each other of the first curves and the second curve.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the software program is operable to modify additional surfaces having the N×

M surface condition to edit the drawing.

18. A system for interfacing with a surface within a computer-aided drawing environment, comprising:

a computer system having a display unit and an input device;

a computer readable medium coupled to the computer system, the computer readable medium comprising a software program operable to;

determine that a plurality of curves operable to define the surface constitute a P×

1 surface condition, a P×

1 surface condition being defined by a number of first curves equal to P and only one second curve, wherein P is an integer greater than zero;

in response to determining that a plurality of curves constitute a P×

1 surface condition, convert the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition, an N×

M surface condition being defined by a number of third curves equal to N and a number of fourth curves equal to M, wherein N and M are integers greater than one;

construct an N×

M surface under the N×

M surface condition; and

allow modification of the N×

M surface to edit a drawing.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the software program is operable to convert the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition by generating at least one auxiliary curve that is substantially continuous with any adjoining surfaces of a surface having the P×

1 surface condition and compatible with the number of first curves and the only one second curve that define the P×

1 surface condition.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the software program is operable to convert the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition by generating an N×

M surface condition to replace the P×

1 surface condition.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the software program is operable to convert the P×

1 surface condition into an N×

M surface condition by generating an N×

M surface condition defined by the third and fourth curves such that the third and fourth curves are defined by mathematical equations all having an order no greater than mathematical equations defining the first and second curves.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the software program is operable to process the first curves and the second curve so that each one of the first curves and the second curve are compatible with each other of the first curves and the second curve.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the software program is operable to modify additional surfaces having the N×

M surface condition to edit the drawing.