Methods and Systems for Generating and Editing Polygonal Data

Abstract

Methods and computer systems for generating and polygonal data are disclosed. The methods and systems receive polygonal data which describe discrete points on an object. The methods and systems algorithmically add vertices and edges prior to algorithmically smoothing and conforming the polygonal data in order to produce desired features, such as fillets, in the smoothed data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer implemented method of producing an electronic geometric model, the method comprising:
 accessing electronic data by computer, the data comprising polygonal data defining a mesh of polygonal data points, the mesh comprising a plurality of edges;   selecting an edge of the accessed data;   in response to an indication from a user:
 determining locations for additional data points, wherein locations the locations are adjacent to the selected edge, and 
 inserting the additional data points into the accessed data at the determined locations, wherein the additional data points define first and second lines, and wherein the selected edge is between the first and second lines; 
   subdividing the accessed data having the additional data points with a subdivision algorithm, whereby subdivided data is generated;   generating the geometric model based on the subdivided data; and   storing the geometric model in a computer readable data storage.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein subdividing the accessed data comprises generating points defining a fillet. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second lines are adjacent the selected edge. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving an instruction including distance information between the selected edge and the additional points, and the additional points are positioned according to the distance information. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first line is parallel to the selected edge. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second line is parallel to the selected edge. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the selected edge is equidistant from the first and second lines. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selecting a plurality of edges; and   inserting additional data points into the accessed data adjacent to the plurality of selected edges.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of edges define a selected curve in the accessed data. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the additional points define first and second curves, and wherein the first and second curves are parallel to the selected curve and the selected curve is between the first and second curves.