Interactive truss objects in computer-aided design models
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for generating a truss object for a computer-aided design (CAD) model, the method comprising:
- receiving a selection of a truss family for the truss object, wherein the truss family specifies a plurality of components that include a top chord, a bottom chord, one or more vertical webs, and one or more diagonal webs, and, for each component, a geometry of the component and an arrangement of the component relative to a centerline axis;
receiving a selection of a beginning point and an ending point within the CAD model at which to place the truss object, wherein the beginning point is coupled to a first object, and the ending point is coupled to a second object, and wherein the truss object is coupled to both the first object and the second object;
determining, based on the selected truss family, the beginning point and the ending point, a centerline for a layout of the truss object that provides an axis for orienting the geometry of the truss object;
generating a layout for the truss object based on the beginning point, the ending point and the centerline for the layout, wherein the layout defines a pattern for the truss object;
generating a plurality of structural members to represent physical components of the truss object within the CAD model, wherein each structural member of the plurality of structural members corresponds to a different component specified by the truss family and is positioned within the CAD model according to the layout generated for the truss object and the geometry and the arrangement of the corresponding component specified by the truss family;
associating the truss layout and the plurality of structural members with the truss object;
storing the truss object in the CAD model;
receiving an instruction to move the first object to a new position with respect to the second object; and
modifying the truss object in accordance with the new position of the first object, to maintain the coupling of the truss object to both the first object and the second object.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a computer-aided design (CAD) application configured for generating interactive truss objects in a CAD model. In one embodiment, a truss creation tool allows the user to select a truss family and the endpoints of the truss. Based on these selections, the truss creation tool generates a layout and structural members of a truss. The truss may be maintained as an interactive object within the CAD model. Thus, a user may edit the truss object, resulting in the regeneration of the truss layout and the regeneration of the structural elements of the truss.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method for generating a truss object for a computer-aided design (CAD) model, the method comprising:
-
receiving a selection of a truss family for the truss object, wherein the truss family specifies a plurality of components that include a top chord, a bottom chord, one or more vertical webs, and one or more diagonal webs, and, for each component, a geometry of the component and an arrangement of the component relative to a centerline axis; receiving a selection of a beginning point and an ending point within the CAD model at which to place the truss object, wherein the beginning point is coupled to a first object, and the ending point is coupled to a second object, and wherein the truss object is coupled to both the first object and the second object; determining, based on the selected truss family, the beginning point and the ending point, a centerline for a layout of the truss object that provides an axis for orienting the geometry of the truss object; generating a layout for the truss object based on the beginning point, the ending point and the centerline for the layout, wherein the layout defines a pattern for the truss object; generating a plurality of structural members to represent physical components of the truss object within the CAD model, wherein each structural member of the plurality of structural members corresponds to a different component specified by the truss family and is positioned within the CAD model according to the layout generated for the truss object and the geometry and the arrangement of the corresponding component specified by the truss family; associating the truss layout and the plurality of structural members with the truss object; storing the truss object in the CAD model; receiving an instruction to move the first object to a new position with respect to the second object; and modifying the truss object in accordance with the new position of the first object, to maintain the coupling of the truss object to both the first object and the second object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to generate a object for a computer-aided design (CAD) model by performing the steps of:
-
receiving a selection of a truss family for the truss object, wherein the truss family specifies a plurality of components that include a top chord, a bottom chord, one or more vertical webs, and one or more diagonal webs, and for each component, a geometry of the component and an arrangement of the component relative to a centerline axis; receiving a selection of a beginning point and an ending point within the CAD model at which to place the object, wherein the beginning point is coupled to a first object, and the ending point is coupled to a second object, and wherein the truss object is coupled to both the first object and the second object; determining, based on the selected truss family, the beginning point, and the ending point, a centerline for a layout of the truss object that provides an axis for orienting the geometry of the truss object; generating a layout for the object based on the selected truss family, the beginning point, the ending point, and the centerline for the layout, wherein the layout defines a pattern for the object; generating a plurality of structural members to represent physical components within the CAD model, wherein the plurality of structural members are positioned within the CAD model, wherein each structural member of the plurality of structural members corresponds to a different component specified by the truss family and according to the layout generated for the object and the geometry and the arrangement of the corresponding component specified by the truss family; associating the layout and the plurality of structural members with the object; storing the object in the CAD model; receiving an instruction to move the first object to a new position with respect to the second object; and modifying the truss object in accordance with the new position of the first object, to maintain the coupling of the truss object to both the first object and the second object. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for generating a truss object for a computer-aided design (CAD) model, the method comprising:
-
selecting a truss family for the truss object, wherein the truss family specifies a plurality of components that include a top chord, a bottom chord, one or more vertical webs, and one or more diagonal webs, and, for each component, a geometry of the component and an arrangement of the component relative to a centerline axis; selecting a beginning point and an ending point within the CAD model at which to place the truss object, wherein the beginning point is coupled to a first object, and the ending point is coupled to a second object, and wherein the truss object is coupled to both the first object and the second object; invoking a truss creation tool provided by a CAD application, wherein the truss creation tool is configured to; determine, based on the selected truss family, the beginning point and the ending point, a centerline for a layout of the truss object that provides an axis for orienting the geometry of the truss object; generate a layout for the truss object based on the selected truss family, the beginning point, the ending point and the centerline for the layout, wherein the layout defines a pattern for the truss object; generate a plurality of structural members to represent physical components of the truss object within the CAD model, wherein each structural member of the plurality of structural members corresponds to a different component specified by the truss family and is positioned within the CAD model according to the layout generated for the truss object and the geometry and the arrangement of the corresponding component specified by the truss family; associate the truss layout and the plurality of structural members with the truss object; store the truss object in the CAD model; receive an instruction to move the first object to a new position with respect to the second object; and modify the truss object in accordance with the new position of the first object, to maintain the coupling of the truss object to both the first object and the second object. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification