Resolving feature interactions in 3D part editing

Abstract

Feature-based design approach has been regarded as a promising approach for 3D parts design. However, the critical issues of modifying a part design by 3D features have not yet evoked sufficient discussion. This paper aims to address issues of feature interaction, especially for enclosure and intersection, among the modified feature and the other existing features. An efficient new approach to solve the feature interaction problems encountered in part-editing is proposed. The parts are assumed to consist of subtractive volume-features only. A set of rules that facilitate updating the B-rep data and feature-based representation of the part are devised. Computer simulation examples are given to show that the proposed approach is both feasible and effective. This research contributes to several aspects of feature-based design research, especially to the area of providing simple feature-based commands. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.