WO2006123040A2

WO2006123040A2 - Method and device for generating a parametric model linked to a 3d geometry

Info

Publication number: WO2006123040A2
Application number: PCT/FR2006/001075
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claus Brandl; Sylvain Souche
Original assignee: Airbus
Priority date: 2005-05-19
Filing date: 2006-05-12
Publication date: 2006-11-23
Also published as: CN101198957A; WO2006123040A3; CN101198957B; CA2608320A1; JP5009901B2; EP1889196A2; RU2474874C2; FR2886030A1; RU2007147335A; BRPI0612929A2; JP2008541286A; FR2886030B1

Abstract

The device for generating a parametric model linked to a 3D geometry comprises a converter capable of transforming the specification tree (2) into a graphical user interface (50, 54) in which, for at least one active element (20B) of this tree (2), a dialog box is assigned that comprises at least one field (80A) assigned to at least one command parameter of this active element. The setting of this command parameter can be modified by the user with the aid of a parameter editor (18A), each setting of the command parameter being displayed in the corresponding field (80) of the dialog box and automatically effecting the change in the setting of the command parameter of the corresponding active element in the specification tree (2).

Description

Method and device for generating a parametric model linked to a 3-D geometry

The present invention relates to the generation of a parametric model related to a 3D geometry of a part or a set of parts. It finds an application in the modeling of a geometry (Computer Aided Design, CAD), in numerical control programs for machine tools (Computer Aided Manufacturing, CAM), computer-aided engineering programs and software data management.

In general, the generation of a parametric model linked to a 3D geometry consists of defining a part directly in its final configuration, for example an aircraft wing assembled to the fuselage.

In practice, such a definitive definition is part of an optimization loop in which three key steps are covered: definition, analysis and modifications. The essential advantage of a CAD software is to allow the partial or total integration of these three steps in a single work environment, the transition from one step to the next is achieved almost seamlessly.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown the working environment of a CAD software such as the one called Catia, developed by the French company Dassault Systèmes and marketed by IBM The work environment as displayed on the screen of a computer mainly comprises a specification tree 2 and a graphic zone 4. The working environment is completed by a menu bar 6, a standard toolbar 8, a dialog box 10, a workbench comprising a contextual toolbar 12 dependent on the active workshop, a compass 14 for the orientation of the current view, an icon 16 of the active workshop, and a specific toolbar or application 18. The specification tree 2 is a structured graphical representation of the model in progress, here an airplane. In the example of FIG. 1, it can be observed that the active element called Product 1 is used, that the product comprises five main bodies individualized in 2OA "environment", 2OB "fuselage.1", 2OC "wing 2OD "wing symmetry" and 2OE "tail", a main body consists of applications 40 and control parameters 30.

As the part is defined, the model tree is enriched with new items. The selection of an element can be done indifferently in the graphical zone 4 or in the specification tree 2. The specification tree allows the activation of a contextual menu to the designated object.

Each element of the specification tree 2 may comprise control parameters and relationships (not shown) that allow the geometry of the solids to be defined through the definition of the functions present in the specification tree.

The use of such a CAD software thus makes it possible to implement a digital model and to jointly define the product and certain processes related thereto. Most often, the definition of a 3D geometric model is the subject of several working groups, usually organized in different places, most often transnational. This results in a strong need for easy and simple exchange of parametric information.

In practice, the parameterization is directly enabled by the native functionalities of the software tools, notably "CATIA". To modify the parameter values of a model, it is not necessary to recompile an application. A standard function of the software should be used to change the parameter. However, the software tools present the model in a structural organization related to the build history, or in the form of a dependency tree. However, such a representation is relatively remote from the functional approach of the business problem related to the parametric model design.

It is therefore relatively difficult for a non-specialist user of the software to easily find a parameter knowing only the result he wants to achieve.

The present invention provides a solution to this problem.

It aims to present to the non-specialist user a structured parameter editor in a functional approach close to the business problem related to the design of the part, in order to obtain a simplified interface to modify the parameters without requiring the modification. source code.

It relates to a device for generating a geometric model

3D model of a part or a set of parts, said model being represented graphically on a computer screen in the form of a specification tree comprising at least one element defined by at least one control parameter.

According to a general definition of the invention, the generation device comprises a converter capable of transforming said specification tree into a graphical user interface in which for at least one active element of said tree is associated a dialog box comprising at least one associated field. at least one control parameter of said active element, the setting of said control parameter being modifiable by the user using a parameter editor, each setting of said control parameter being displayed in the corresponding field of the control box; dialog and automatically causing the setting of the control parameter of the corresponding active element to be changed in the specification tree.

Thus, thanks to the dialog box according to the invention, a user can easily and directly modify the values of the parameterizable fields of an active element, without being an IT specialist of the CAD software. In addition, changing the parameters via the dialog box _H

causes the corresponding change in the specification tree. This results, for a non-specialist user, a great ease and simplicity in accessing and modifying the control parameters of an active element of a CAD software specification tree. In addition, the modification of the parametric architecture by means of the invention does not require modification of the source code.

According to one embodiment, the graphical interface further comprises a graphical window containing the geometry of the corresponding active element, the setting of said parameter being displayed visually in said graphical window.

Thus, the control parameters generally defined by the CAD software specialist and considered as interesting by the non-specialist user are directly visible and modifiable on the graphic interface and / or the dialog box according to the invention. In practice, each element of the specification tree belongs to the group formed by terminal nodes and non-terminal nodes.

For example, at each terminal node are associated a graphical user window display and a parameter editor.

Likewise, each non-terminal node is associated with a parameter editor and a plurality of tabs, each tab being associated with a sub-node.

For example, for at least some tabs is associated a graphical window.

According to another embodiment, the parameter editor is also a script editor, in which the scripting language is, for example, an XML type markup language.

According to yet another embodiment, the generation device further comprises a communication device capable of remotely exchanging the values of the parameterizable fields in order to allow remote collaborative work with other users.

The present invention also relates to a method for generating a parametric model linked to a 3D geometry of a part or a set of parts, said model being represented graphically on a computer screen in the form of a specification tree comprising at least one element defined by at least one control parameter.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method comprises the following steps:

transforming said specification tree into a graphical user interface in which for at least one active element of said tree is associated a dialog box comprising at least one field associated with at least one control parameter of said active element, modifying the setting of said parameter command by the user using a parameter editor,

displaying each setting of said control parameter in the corresponding field of the dialog box, and

- automatically change the setting of the control parameter of the corresponding active element in the specification tree.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises the step in which the setting of said parameter is displayed visually in a graphic window.

The present invention also relates to an information medium readable by a computer system, characterized in that it comprises instructions of a computer program for implementing the generation method referred to above, when this program is loaded and executed by a computer system.

The present invention also relates to a removable information medium, partially or completely readable by a computer system, characterized in that it comprises instructions of a computer program for implementing a generation method referred to herein. - before, when this program is loaded and executed by a computer system. Finally, a subject of the present invention is a computer program stored on an information medium, said program comprising instructions enabling the implementation of a generation method referred to above. before, when this program is loaded and executed by a computer system.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the light of the detailed description below and the drawings in which: FIG. 1 already described schematically represents the working environment of a CAD software of the art previous;

- Figure 2 schematically shows the physical resources of a computer capable of implementing the invention;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents the working environment of FIG. 1 on which the dialogue box according to the invention is superimposed following a request from the user;

- Figure 4 shows schematically in isolation the dialogue box of Figure 3;

FIG. 5 diagrammatically represents the change in the value of the adjustment of a parameter with respect to that indicated with reference to FIG. 4 by means of the dialogue box according to the invention; and

- Figure 6 shows schematically the effect of changing the setting of the parameter described with reference to Figure 5 in the specification tree with respect to the shaft of Figure 1 according to the invention. Referring to Figure 2, there is shown the physical resources of a programmable apparatus 100 adapted to implement the invention.

The apparatus 100 comprises a communication bus 109 to which are connected:

a central processing unit 102 (microprocessor, CPU) which controls the exchanges between the various elements of the apparatus;

a read only memory (ROM) 101 that can comprise the programs of the invention (Progi, Prog2);

a random access memory (RAM) 105;

a hard disk 103 which may comprise the aforementioned programs; a keyboard 104;

a screen 107; a floppy disk drive 111 adapted to receive a diskette 110 and to read or write to it documents processed or to be processed according to the invention;

a communication interface 106 connected to a communication network 120, for example the Internet network, the interface being able to transmit and receive documents.

The communication bus 109 allows communication and interoperability between the various elements included in the apparatus or connected to it. The representation of the bus is not limiting and, in particular, the central unit is capable of communicating instructions to any element of the apparatus directly or via another element of the apparatus.

The executable code of each program enabling the programmable device to implement the processes according to the invention can be stored for example in the hard disk 103 or in the read-only memory 101.

According to an alternative embodiment, the diskette 110 may contain documents as well as the executable code of the aforementioned programs which, once read by the apparatus, is stored in the hard disk 103.

According to another embodiment, the executable code of the programs can be received via the communication network, via the interface 106, to be stored identically to that described above.

Floppies can be replaced by any information medium such as, for example, a compact disc (CD ROM) or a memory card. In general, an information storage means, visible by a computer or by a microprocessor, whether or not integrated into the device, possibly removable, is adapted to store one or more programs whose execution allows the implementation of the process according to the invention.

More generally, the program or programs can be loaded into one of the storage means of the device before being executed.

The central unit 102 controls and directs the execution of the instructions or portions of software code of the program or programs according to the invention, which instructions are stored in the hard disk 103 or the read-only memory 101, or else in the other storage elements. supra. When putting o

voltage, the program or programs that are stored in a non-volatile memory, for example the hard disk 103 or the ROM 101, are transferred into the RAM RAM 105 which will then contain the executable code of the program or programs according to the invention, as well as registers for storing the variables of the parameters necessary for the implementation of the invention.

It should be noted that the programmable device comprising the device according to the invention can also be a programmed device.

This device then contains the code of the computer program or programs, for example fixed in a specific application integrated circuit (ASIC).

With reference to FIG. 3, the working environment of the 3D digital mock-up of the aircraft of FIG. 1 is represented. The specification tree 2 and the graphical representation of the aircraft 4 are found.

By selecting one of the active elements of the specification tree 2, here the element "fuselage.1" 2OB and activating the button or icon 18A

"Parameter editing" located in the toolbar 18, a second graphical interface 50 appears on the screen of the microcomputer superimposed with respect to the first graphical interface 4.

This graphic interface 50 is a dialog box comprising at least one part 54 relating to the control parameters and, where appropriate, a part 52 relating to the geometry of the corresponding element. The graphical interface 50 includes a tab 60 for each element of the model 2OB

"Fuselage.1". The tabs 60 are individualized in 6OA to 60F for the elements "general view", "main body", "cross section", "cabin", "cylinder" and "tail" respectively.

In part 54, there is a list of control parameters 70 associated with the selected tab, here the tab 6OC corresponding to the "cross section".

The parameters 70 are individualized at 70A to 70OK. Each parameter 70 is associated with a field 80 whose value can be modified by the user by means of value variation means such as an elevator 82A there

or a slider 82H. Each parameter also includes a selection button 84.

The 18A icon is a shortcut for launching the command displaying the dialog box 50 according to the invention. This command generates a parameter editor that represents the model in a structured and functional way without having to depend directly on the build history of the part or the specification tree. The parameter editor has individual fields 80 for editing at least some of the parameters 70 of the model. Fields 80 are directly related to the model parameters.

The graphical interface 50 is completed by three validation buttons "OK" 9OA, application 9OB and cancellation 9OC.

With reference to FIG. 4, the user selects in the part 54 of the dialog box 50 the parameter that he wishes to process, modify and / or display in the part 52 of the box 50. Here, the user selects the parameter 7OA corresponding to the height of the fuselage in cross section.

The original value entered in the associated field 8OA is here 3000 mm.

The user visualizes the part of the geometry that is affected by the parameter

7OA in part 52 of the dialog box. With reference to FIG. 5, the user wishes to modify the value of the adjustment of the parameter 7OA with respect to the value indicated in FIG. 4. For example here, he modifies with the help of the elevator 82A the value of the height

(new value = 2000 mm) of parameter 7OA with respect to fuselage cross section. The effect of the change in the parameter value is shown substantially in real time (1 to 2 seconds) in the graphics window 52.

Selecting the 9OA (OK) validation button automatically incorporates the new parameter value into all of the product elements. With reference to FIG. 6, substantially automatically, it is observed that the change in the value of the parameter 70A using the box 50 as described with reference to FIG. corresponding in the specification tree 2 and in the geometry (here reduction of the cross-section of the fuselage) displayed in the graphic interface 4 with respect to the working environment 2 and 4 described with reference to figure 1. In practice it is a converter which transforms the specification tree 2 into a graphical user interface 50, 52, 54 in which for at least one active element, here the active element 20B of said shaft 2 with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, is associated a dialog box comprising at least one 8OA field associated with at least one control parameter 7OA of said active element. In practice, the converter according to the invention generates a structured parameter editor which presents fields that can be parameterized by the non-specialist user in a functional approach that is close to the business problem related to the design of the part.

The setting of the control parameters 7OA can be modified by a non-specialist user of the CAD software by selecting the icon 18A which launches the parameter editor according to the invention. In practice, the parameter editor relies on native parameter editing functions available in the CAD software.

According to the invention, the parameter editor organizes and structures the parameters of the model in the dialog box 50 using said native functions.

Each setting of said control parameter is displayed visually in the corresponding field 80 and automatically causes the setting of the control parameter of the corresponding active element to be changed in the specification tree 2. Thus, a user can easily and directly modify the value a parameter via the dialog box.

The graphics window 52 contains the geometry of the corresponding active element 2OB, the setting of said parameter being displayed in said graphics window 52, which allows the non-specialist user to visually check the effect of changing the value of the parameter . In practice, the converter converts each active element into a dialog box according to the chosen editing and conversion rules.

For example, each element 2OA, 2OB, 2OC, 2OD, 2OE of the specification tree 2 belongs to the group formed by terminal nodes and non-terminal nodes. Each terminal node is associated with a visual display 52 of the graphic user window type and a parameter editor 18A. Each non-terminal node is associated with a parameter editor 18A and a plurality of tabs 60, each tab 60 being associated with a sub-node 62.

In practice, the parameter editor is also a script editor, for example the scripting language is a markup language of the XML type.

Thus, thanks to the communication interface 106, it is possible to remotely exchange, in the form of XML files, the values of the parameterizable fields 80. Such an exchange enables remote collaborative work with other users by exchanging data. small files containing only as text or scripts the changes of the parameters.

The converter is in practice in the form of a series of additional software features added to the CAD software by an extension mechanism, called "add on". This extension is physically composed of a series of dynamic libraries and resource files that can take the form of a text file, icons or files of the CAD software.

Editing rules can distinguish two categories of command parameters: editable parameters and non-editable parameters.

The conversion software according to the invention is launched after opening a 3D model, already created by the CAD software such as Catia, version V5. The conversion software will make it possible to easily and directly modify the parameters of the 3D model without requiring in-depth knowledge of the CAD software and without causing the modification of the source code.

Claims

1. Device for generating a parametric model linked to a 3D geometry of a part or a set of parts, said model being represented graphically on a computer screen in the form of a specification tree (2) comprising at least one element (20B) defined by at least one control parameter, characterized in that it comprises a converter adapted to transform said specification tree (2) into a graphical user interface (50, 54) in which for at least one least one active element (20B) thereof. tree (2) is associated a dialog box comprising at least one field (80) associated with at least one control parameter of said active element, the setting of said control parameter being modifiable by the user using a publisher of parameters (18A), each setting of said control parameter being displayed in the corresponding field (80) of the dialog box and automatically causing the setting of the control parameter of the corresponding active element to be changed in the specification tree ( 2).

2. Device according to claim 1 wherein the graphical interface (50) further comprises a graphical window (52) containing the geometry of the corresponding active element (20B), the setting of said parameter being displayed visually in said graphical window ( 52).

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein each element (2OA, 2OB, 2OC, 2OD, 20E) of the specification tree (2) belongs to the group formed by terminal nodes and non-terminal nodes.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein each terminal node is associated with a visual display (52) of the graphical user window type and a parameter editor (18A).

5. Device according to claim 3, wherein at each non-terminal node is associated a parameter editor (18A) and a plurality of tabs (6OA, 6OB, 60C ₁ 6OD, 6OE, 60F), at each tab (60). being associated with a sub-node (62).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein for at least some tabs (60, 62) is associated with a graphical window (52).

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the parameter editor (18A) is furthermore a script editor.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the scripting language is a markup language of the XML type.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a communication device (106) capable of remotely exchanging the values of the parameterizable fields in order to allow a remote collaborative work with d '. other users.

A method of generating a parametric model related to a 3D geometry of a part or a set of parts, said model being graphically represented on a computer screen in the form of a specification tree (2) comprising at least one element (20B) defined by at least one control parameter, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

transforming said specification tree (2) into a graphical user interface (50, 54) in which for at least one active element (20B) of said tree (2) is associated a dialog box comprising at least one associated field (80) at least one control parameter of said active element,

modifying the setting of said control parameter by the user using a parameter editor (18A), displaying each setting of said control parameter in the corresponding field (80) of the dialog box, and

- automatically change the setting of the control parameter of the corresponding active element in the specification tree (2).

11. The method of claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises the step in which the setting of said parameter is displayed visually in a graphics window (52).

12. The method of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the values of the parameterizable fields are exchanged remotely, in the form of scripts or text files.

13. Information carrier readable by a computer system, characterized in that it comprises instructions of a computer program for implementing the generation method according to one of claims 10 to 12, when the program is loaded. and executed by a computer system.

14. Removable information carrier, partially or completely readable by a computer system, characterized in that it comprises instructions of a computer program for implementing a generation method according to one of claims 10 to 12, when this program is loaded and executed by a computer system.

15. Computer program stored on an information medium, said program comprising instructions for implementing a generation method according to one of claims 10 to 12, when this program is loaded and executed by a system. computer science.