Autodesk, Inc.

Michael C Rogerson

Craig Storms

Edward James Connor

Michael A Appolo, Iii

Kenneth W Spalding, Iii

Anandaraja Devan

Steve Milligan

Tim Burnham

Patrick Haessly

Lisa Fox

Gary Blais

Kumud Dev Vaidya

Bhamadipati S Rao

Scott Kent

One embodiment of the invention provides a method for modeling a variety of three-dimensional (3D) utility networks constructed from individual parts. In one embodiment, users may construct a utility network by selecting and assembling a network of inter-connected parts, where each part may be associated one or more design rules. When a part is placed within the model, the rules corresponding to the part may be applied. The network part rules may be configured to adjust the position, properties or attributes associated with a network part to comply with a rule. Alternatively, a user interface display may provide an indication of any network parts of a 3D model that violate a particular network part rule.

Utility network engineering and design rules in three-dimensional models of utility networks

Embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus and article of manufacture for modeling a variety of three-dimensional (3D) utility networks constructed from individual network part elements. In one embodiment, users may construct a utility network by selecting and assembling a network of inter-connected parts, where each part is selected from a pipe and structure list. Connectivity among parts is established through part placement. Structure and connected pipe properties may be managed as a single property set. As parts are placed in the utility network, auto-sizing logic resizes existing structures to connected pipes. Pipes and structures are represented by part model data that defines a set of common behavior and properties. When a user modifies part model data or property sets or moves inter-connected parts, a logic component resizes and automatically updates any associated two-dimensional and three-dimensional views of the utility network.

Method for dynamically generating multiple views of three-dimensional models for utility networks

Embodiments of the invention provide a method for generating labels for drawing elements of a computer aided design (CAD) drawing that may include some unknown number of associated or related drawing elements. The method includes receiving a selection of a set of drawing elements in the CAD drawing that are associated with the first drawing element, receiving a selection of fields specifying attributes of the drawing elements in the set of drawing elements to use in generating label content for a label of the first drawing element, and defining a label style based on the selection of the set of drawing elements and the selection of attributes of the of the drawing elements in the set of drawing elements.

'For-each' label components in CAD drawings

A computer-implemented graphics system for creating and editing interactive constraint-based alignment objects. One or more drawing entities are created in the graphics system, wherein the drawing entities are linked together as an alignment object, and one or more of the entities includes a persistent tangency rule. The drawing entities comprise lines, arcs and/or spirals, although other entities are possible. The drawing entities are then edited in the graphics system, wherein the persistent tangency rules affect the drawing entities' geometry while the drawing entities are being edited. The persistent tangency rule comprises: (1) no tangency, (2) tangency to an entity before or after, or (3) tangency to an entity before and after.

Interactive constraint-based alignment objects

Embodiments of the invention provide methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for editing network parts present a computer-aided design (CAD) model of a utility network using grips. The network parts may represent elements present in a real-world utility network. Among others, the grips may include a part size grip and a structure rotation grip. When a user selects a part size grip, a graphical user interface may display hash marks to indicate a variety of sizes of the network part provided by a network parts catalog. Dragging the resize grip may cause it to jump from one hash mark to the next, allowing the user to easily select one of the available part sizes. A structure rotation grip may be used to rotate a network part representing a utility network structure about an asymmetric axis.

Network part grips

One embodiment of the invention provides a method for generating a curved pipe object in a computer-aided design drawing where the geometry of a curved pipe object is generally represented as a segment of a helix. A user selects a curved pipe creation method and a set of geometric attributes from which the helix parameters may be determined. From the helix parameters, a display representation of the curved pipe object may then be generated and displayed in the CAD drawing.

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Manchester, NH, United States of America

Michael C Rogerson