Methods and Apparatuses for Preprocessing a CAD Drawing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for converting a drawing file, including one or more layers, to a simplified version of the drawing file that is easier for a user to view and modify, comprising:
- an external reference file utility for converting one or more external reference files referenced by the drawing file into one or more blocks, for inserting the one or more blocks into the drawing file, and for deleting an external reference file referenced by the drawing file if the external reference file does not exist in the drawing file and cannot be converted to a block;
a block utility for expanding one or more graphic objects and one or more attributes within one or more desired blocks into the drawing file, for automatically deleting one or more undesired blocks from the drawing file, and for deleting one or more invisible text or one or more unnecessary text included within the attributes of the one or more desired blocks;
a graphic object utility for expanding one or more desired graphic objects into the drawing file and for deleting one or more undesired graphic objects from the drawing file;
an externally created graphic object utility for converting one or more externally created graphic objects into the one or more desired blocks or the one or more undesired blocks for processing by the block utility or treating the one or more externally created graphic objects as a group of graphic objects and processing the group of graphic objects with the graphic object utility; and
a layer utility for moving the one or more desired graphic objects in the one or more layers into a smaller subset of layers, for deleting the one or more undesired graphic objects, and for deleting one or more empty layers within the one or more layers after automatically viewing the one or more empty layers.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for preprocessing a drawing to enhance its usability for subsequent viewing or modification by simplifying information displayed in the drawing, reducing the size of the drawing file, and removing unnecessary data. The invention also includes a wizard function that can record many of the functions or steps taken by a user to modify a drawing and then be used to preprocess a similar type of drawing using the recorded functions and steps.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for converting a drawing file, including one or more layers, to a simplified version of the drawing file that is easier for a user to view and modify, comprising:
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an external reference file utility for converting one or more external reference files referenced by the drawing file into one or more blocks, for inserting the one or more blocks into the drawing file, and for deleting an external reference file referenced by the drawing file if the external reference file does not exist in the drawing file and cannot be converted to a block; a block utility for expanding one or more graphic objects and one or more attributes within one or more desired blocks into the drawing file, for automatically deleting one or more undesired blocks from the drawing file, and for deleting one or more invisible text or one or more unnecessary text included within the attributes of the one or more desired blocks; a graphic object utility for expanding one or more desired graphic objects into the drawing file and for deleting one or more undesired graphic objects from the drawing file; an externally created graphic object utility for converting one or more externally created graphic objects into the one or more desired blocks or the one or more undesired blocks for processing by the block utility or treating the one or more externally created graphic objects as a group of graphic objects and processing the group of graphic objects with the graphic object utility; and a layer utility for moving the one or more desired graphic objects in the one or more layers into a smaller subset of layers, for deleting the one or more undesired graphic objects, and for deleting one or more empty layers within the one or more layers after automatically viewing the one or more empty layers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for converting a drawing file, including one or more layers, to a simplified version of the drawing file, comprising the steps of:
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converting one or more external reference files referenced by the drawing file into one or more blocks, inserting the one or more blocks into the drawing file, and deleting an external reference file referenced by the drawing file if the external reference file does not exist in the drawing file and cannot be converted to a block; expanding one or more graphic objects and one or more attributes within one or more desired blocks into the drawing file, deleting one or more undesired blocks from the drawing file, and deleting one or more invisible text or one or more unnecessary text included within the one or more attributes of the one or more desired blocks; expanding one or more desired graphic objects into the drawing file and deleting one or more undesired graphic objects from the drawing file; converting one or more externally created graphic objects into the one or more desired blocks or the one or more undesired blocks for processing in accordance with the step of expanding one or more graphic objects or treating the one or more externally created graphic objects as a group of graphic objects and processing the group of graphic objects in accordance with the step of expanding one or more desired graphic objects; and moving a set of desired graphic objects in the one or more layers into a smaller subset of layers, deleting a set of undesired graphic objects, and deleting one or more empty layers within the one or more layers after automatically viewing the one or more empty layers, whereby the drawing file becomes the simplified version of the drawing file. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification