JP2006227988A - Cad device and cad program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recognize a character string described as a dimension value as a numeral value in design drawing data of CAD so that the numeral value can be compared with a calculated value of a position indicated by the dimension. <P>SOLUTION: The CAD device extracts a character/character string expressing a dimension value by using a pattern of a character string constituting dimension description and converts the extracted character/character string into numerical data to generate a described dimension value. Further the CAD device calculates the dimension of a target pointed by a dimension line by using the dimensional line or an extension line to generate a calculated dimension value. Then the CAD device checks whether the described dimension value and the calculated dimension value coincide with each other within a previously determined error range or not and presents the checked result to a user. When an error is included in the dimension value described on a CAD drawing, the user can automatically confirm the error. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a CAD apparatus and a CAD program. For example, the present invention relates to a computer that draws and maintains design drawings such as architectural design and mechanical design.

With the rapid development of computers in recent years, the creation of architectural drawings, which have been done manually using a drafter or the like, by a CAD (Computer Aided Design) device using a computer has been widely performed. I came.
Here, the CAD device is a computer-aided design support device, in which CAD software is installed in the computer, and drawing creation is made efficient by using the computer's arithmetic function and storage function.

  CAD data (drawing data) generated by a CAD device represents a design object using, for example, graphic elements representing figures such as straight lines and arcs, and auxiliary elements such as dimension notation, dimension tolerance, and construction instructions. The

  In a CAD device, it is possible to automatically generate a dimension notation that describes the dimensions of a figure from the size of the figure and the scale of the drawing. However, since this can be edited by the designer, due to human error, etc. Dimensional notation and figure size may not match.

In particular, in the construction field, since a plurality of contractors jointly perform construction work, the created CAD data is exchanged between the contractors. Therefore, a design drawing in which the notation of the dimension value is different from the numerical value actually constructed may be handed over to the installer, for example, by rewriting the dimension notation. In such a case, it is necessary to check whether the notation of the dimensional value of the drawing is correct because it will not be a product as designed if it is constructed according to a drawing with an incorrect dimensional value (the designed value differs from the indicated dimensional value). There is.
As described above, there are the following techniques for determining whether or not a figure and a dimensional notation match.
JP-A-1-281570

This technique confirms whether or not the dimension notation on the CAD screen is correct by comparing with the actual dimension in the drawing.
JP 2000-235595 A

  In this technology, after generating three-dimensional CAD data from two-dimensional CAD data, it is confirmed whether or not the dimension value described in the two-dimensional CAD data matches the figure dimension in the three-dimensional CAD data. is there.

By the way, generally, the dimension notation used in CAD data is composed of character string data (text data).
The dimension notation includes not only numbers representing dimension values but also additional information such as symbols representing meanings and units of dimensions (for example, R symbol representing the radius of an arc) and specification of tolerances. Yes.
Thus, since the dimension notation is composed of a complex character string, there is a problem that it is difficult for a computer to recognize the dimension numerical value from the dimension notation.

  Also, for example, when the length of the dimension line indicated by an arrow line that specifies the dimension range is different from the distance between the designated part of the dimension extension line (the reference point of the foot) that indicates the part pointed to by the dimension line, etc. Depending on the shape of the notation, there are cases where it cannot be simply calculated from the coordinates of the dimension line.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to recognize a character string written as a dimension value as a numerical value in CAD data and compare it with a calculated value indicated by the dimension notation.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the invention described in claim 1, character string data constituting the dimension notation is obtained from CAD data constituted by using graphic elements associated with the dimension notation. Dimension notation reading means for reading and storing in a predetermined storage area, converting the stored character string data to generate a notation dimension value represented by the dimension notation, and storing the generated notation dimension value in the predetermined storage area A notable dimension value generating means, a calculated dimension value of a graphic element corresponding to the dimension notation obtained by reading the character string data, and a dimension value calculating means for storing the calculated calculated dimension value in a predetermined storage area; CA comprising: comparison means for comparing the stored notation dimension value and the stored calculated dimension value; and comparison result output means for outputting a comparison result by the comparison means. To provide a device.
In the invention according to claim 2, the dimension value calculation means calculates the dimension value of the graphic element by using at least one coordinate value of the dimension notation dimension line and the dimension auxiliary line corresponding to the calculated graphic element. The CAD apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
In the invention according to claim 3, when the unit of the stored notation dimension value is not specified by the dimension notation, an error between the acquired notation dimension value and the calculated dimension value is the notation dimension numerical value set for each unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein if at least one of the tolerances of the calculated dimension numerical value is satisfied, whether or not the notation dimension value matches the calculated dimension value is compared. 2 is provided.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scale calculating means for calculating a scale from the generated notation dimension value and a calculated dimension value corresponding to the notation dimension value, and storing the calculated scale in a predetermined storage area. The CAD device according to claim 1, 2, or 3 is provided.
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the output means displays on the display device a graphic element whose notation size and calculated size do not match so as to be distinguishable from a graphic element whose notation size and calculated size match. A CAD device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the dimension notation reading for reading the character string data constituting the dimension notation from the CAD data constituted by using the graphic element associated with the dimension notation and storing it in a predetermined storage area. A function, a notation dimension value generation function for converting the stored character string data to generate a notation dimension value represented by the dimension notation, and storing the generated notation dimension value in a predetermined storage area, and the character string data. The calculated dimension value of the graphic element corresponding to the dimension notation read is calculated, the calculated dimension value is stored in a predetermined storage area, the stored notation dimension value, and the stored calculation A CAD program for realizing a comparison function for comparing dimension values and a comparison result output function for outputting a comparison result by the comparison function by a computer.

  According to the present invention, a character string described as a dimension value can be recognized as a numerical value and compared with a calculated value indicated by a dimension notation.

[Outline of the embodiment]
The CAD device according to the present embodiment extracts a character / character string representing a dimension value using a character string pattern constituting a dimension notation. Then, this is converted into numerical data to generate a notation dimension value.
Further, the CAD device calculates a dimension value of a location indicated by the dimension line using a dimension line, a dimension auxiliary line, or the like, thereby generating a calculated dimension value.

The CAD device confirms whether the notation dimension value thus generated matches the calculated dimension value within a predetermined error range, and presents the confirmation result to the user.
As a result, when there is an error in the dimensional value described in the design drawing (CAD drawing), the user can automatically confirm this.

[Details of the embodiment]
First, the hardware configuration of the CAD apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the CAD apparatus 1. FIG. 1 assumes that the CAD apparatus 1 is configured by a personal computer or the like and is used in a stand-alone manner.
The CAD device 1 is configured by connecting an input device 15, an output device 16, a communication control device 17, a storage device 23, a storage medium drive device 20, an input / output interface 19, and the like to the control unit 11 via a bus line 18. ing.

The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, and the like.
The control unit 11 operates in accordance with various programs such as an OS (Operating System) and a CAD program, and controls the entire CAD apparatus 1 such as predetermined calculation defined by the program and display of a screen. In the present embodiment, the CAD device 1 performs design support processing for architectural drawings.

The CPU 13 is a central device of the control unit 11, loads a program from the ROM 12, the storage device 23, or a storage medium driven by the storage medium driving device 20, and controls the control unit 11 according to the program.
The CPU 13 includes a plurality of internal storage media (storage areas) called registers and the like. The CPU 13 temporarily stores data from an external storage medium or the like to the internal storage medium, and performs arithmetic processing on the data. The calculation result is output to the register, and further output from the register to an external storage medium.

  The ROM 12 is a read-only memory that stores various programs, data, parameters, and the like for the CPU 13 to perform various calculations and controls. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory, and the stored contents are retained even when the power supplied to the ROM 12 is zero. Further, since the ROM 12 is a read-only memory, data is not normally written.

  The RAM 14 is a random access memory used as a working memory by the CPU 13. The CPU 13 can write and erase programs and data in the RAM 14. In the present embodiment, an area for various design support processes such as automatically generating an elevation from a plan view can be secured in the RAM 14.

The input device 15 is composed of an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a tablet.
The keyboard includes keys for inputting kana and English characters, numeric keys for inputting numbers, various function keys, cursor keys, and other keys.

From the keyboard, information such as letters and numbers can be input to the CAD apparatus 1 and a drawing element can be selected from the menu screen.
Furthermore, for example, the user can input a login ID and password for logging in to the CAD apparatus 1 or can operate various programs from the keyboard.

A mouse and a tablet are pointing devices. When the CAD apparatus 1 is operated using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like, predetermined information can be input by clicking a button or icon displayed on the display apparatus with a mouse or the like.
In the present embodiment, for example, by clicking a command execution button, various commands can be executed to open a dimension check target file or execute dimension check.

  Further, as the input device 15, a device composed of a group of input buttons dedicated to the CAD device 1 can be used. This is a device consisting of a group of buttons for setting each drawing function, such as a button for drawing an arc, a button for drawing a straight line, a button for checking dimensions, etc. When this is used, the drawing function can be accessed from the menu screen. Compared to the case of selection, the work speed and labor saving can be reduced.

The output device 16 includes, for example, a display device, a printing device, a plotter, and the like.
The display device is composed of, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, and the like, and displays a design drawing or uses a dimensional confirmation result to display a graphic element whose notation dimension value does not match the calculated dimension value. In addition, the displayed dimension value and the calculated dimension value are displayed so as to be identifiable from a graphic element.

The printing apparatus is an apparatus that prints a program execution result or the like on a print medium such as paper.
The printing apparatus includes various printer apparatuses such as an ink jet printer, a laser printer, a thermal transfer printer, and a dot printer.
In the present embodiment, in addition to printing a design drawing, it is also possible to print a graphic element whose notation dimension value and calculated dimension value do not coincide with each other by using a dimension confirmation result.

  The communication control device 17 is a device for connecting the CAD device 1 to a network such as the Internet via a communication line (not shown), and includes a modem, a terminal adapter, and other devices.

The communication control device 17 is connected to, for example, the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network), and can send / receive data to / from server devices connected to these networks and send / receive e-mails. .
The communication control device 17 is controlled by the CPU 13 and performs transmission / reception according to a predetermined protocol.

When the CAD device 1 updates the CAD program 31 using the communication control device 17, the CAD device 1 receives a program for updating the currently held CAD program 31 from the server device, or receives CAD data from another computer. You can receive from.
Further, the CAD device 1 can receive the CAD data of the dimension confirmation target from the outside using the communication control device 17 and send the dimension confirmation result to the outside.

  The storage device 23 includes a readable / writable storage medium and a drive device for reading / writing programs and data from / to the storage medium. A hard disk is mainly used as the storage medium, but it can also be configured by other readable / writable storage media such as a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory.

The storage device 23 stores a CAD program 31, a CAD database 32, an OS 33, other programs 34, other databases 35, and the like in a predetermined storage area.
The CAD program 31 is a program for supporting creation / maintenance of a design drawing. As will be described later, the CAD program 31 measures the size of a figure drawn on the design drawing by calculation, and the calculated size value is applied to the figure. It is possible to cause the CPU 13 to exhibit the function of confirming whether or not it matches the written dimension value.

The OS 33 is a basic program for causing the CAD apparatus 1 to function, and performs input / output of files, control of each device connected to the CAD apparatus 1, and the like.
The other programs 34 are composed of various programs such as a Japanese language conversion program, a communication control program for controlling the communication control device 17 and the like to establish communication.
The other database 35 includes, for example, a database that stores data created using the CAD program 31 such as CAD data.

  The storage medium driving device 20 is a driving device for reading and writing data by driving a removable storage medium. Examples of the removable storage medium include a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a semiconductor memory, a paper tape punched with data, and a CD-ROM.

  Note that CD-ROMs and paper tapes can only be read. Install application software from the storage medium via the storage medium drive unit 20, write backup data to the storage medium for backing up CAD data, and read backup data written to the storage medium You can also do it.

  The input / output I / F (interface) 19 is constituted by, for example, a serial interface or another standard interface. The function of the CAD device 1 can be expanded by connecting an external device corresponding to the interface to the input / output interface 19. Examples of such external devices include a storage device such as a hard disk and a speaker.

The user can create various design drawings on the computer by using the CAD apparatus 1 configured as described above.
There are various types of design drawings such as architectural drawings, mechanical drawings, and civil engineering drawings, and CAD devices specialized for these types are also used.
In the following, description will be made using architectural drawings as an example, but the technical contents described below can be applied to other types of CAD data such as mechanical drawings.

  Next, the configuration of CAD data will be described with reference to each drawing of FIG. This CAD data is stored in, for example, the CAD database 32 (FIG. 1), and is a target for dimension confirmation.

FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining the data structure of CAD data.
In the CAD apparatus 1, graphic elements such as line segments and circles, and dimension elements such as dimension lines and auxiliary dimension lines are arranged on a paper drawing, which is a concept corresponding to drafting paper on a computer. The CAD data 41 is created.

The CAD data 41 is composed of a plurality of scale drawing data (scale drawing data 43a, scale drawing data 43b,...) In addition to the paper drawing data 42 for displaying the paper drawing.
In the following description, the scale drawing data 43 will be simply referred to as scale drawing data 43 unless particularly distinguished.

  The scale drawing data 43 includes a plurality of layers called layers, and the user can select the scale drawing data 43 and draw a design drawing on the scale drawing data 43.

  In the CAD data 41, the position / angle and scale of the coordinate system can be set for each scale drawing data 43 by setting the additional information described later. In addition, for example, display / non-display can be set for each scale drawing data 43 such that the scale drawing data 43a is hidden and other scale drawing data 43 is displayed.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a logical configuration of attribute information included in the scale drawing data 43. The attribute information 45 is provided for each scale drawing data 43 and sets an attribute of each scale drawing data 43. The attribute information 45 can be changed by the user.
The attribute information 45 includes “drawing information”, “name”, “scale in the X-axis direction”, “scale in the Y-axis direction”, “arrangement angle”, “display on / off”, and other items not shown. .

“Drawing information” is an item for recording information about the scale drawing data 43 such as a drawing number, a creation date, and a creator.
The “name” is an item for recording a drawing name set by the user with respect to the scale drawing data 43 such as “floor layout”.

“X-axis direction scale” is an item for recording the scale in the X-axis direction of the scale drawing data 43. With this scale, the actual dimensions of the design object represented by this graphic can be calculated from the coordinate values of the graphic elements used in the paper drawing data 42.
The “scale in the Y-axis direction” is an item for recording the scale in the Y-axis direction of the scale drawing data 43 in the same manner as the “scale in the X-axis direction”.

“Arrangement angle” is an item for storing the arrangement angle of the coordinate system set in the scale drawing data 43. For example, an arrangement angle based on the coordinate system of the paper drawing data 42 is set.
Although not shown, it is possible to provide an item for recording the coordinate value of the origin of the coordinate system of the scale drawing data 43 so that the position of the origin of the scale drawing data 43 can be set.

“Display ON / OFF” is an item for setting whether or not to display the scale drawing data 43 on the display.
When this item is set to ON, the scale drawing data 43 is displayed on the display, and when this item is set to OFF, it is not displayed.

Each drawing in FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a drawing image of the CAD data 41.
FIG. 3A schematically shows a design drawing screen in which CAD data 41 is displayed on the display of the CAD apparatus 1.
The display contents on the design drawing screen 47 are generated using the paper drawing data 42, the scale drawing data 43a, the scale drawing data 43b, and the scale drawing data 43c.

  The scale drawing data 43a is set to 1/50, the scale drawing data 43b and the scale drawing data 43c are set to 1/30 and 1/10, respectively. Each scale drawing data 43 is displayed at the scale. In general, the scale of the paper drawing data 42 is fixed to 1/1.

  Further, the coordinate system of the scale drawing data 43c is set so as to be tilted clockwise with respect to the coordinate system of the paper drawing data 42, and the display content by the scale drawing data 43c is tilted by this angle on the design drawing screen 47. Is displayed.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the layer structure of the design drawing screen 47.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the design drawing screen 47 superimposes and displays the display by the paper drawing data 42 and the display by the scale drawing data 43a, the scale drawing data 43b, and the scale drawing data 43c. The design drawing is configured.
In this way, the CAD apparatus 1 displays a design drawing screen 47 such that a plurality of drawings are overlapped to form one design drawing as viewed from the user.

  The CAD data is created by arranging drawing elements (graphic elements, dimension elements, etc.) on the reduced scale drawing data 43. Thus, next, main drawing elements used in the CAD data will be described.

FIG. 4 is a table listing the drawing elements used in the CAD apparatus 1 and the attributes of these drawing elements.
As shown in FIG. 4, drawing elements include graphic elements for drawing graphics such as straight lines and arcs, and dimension elements such as characters, linear dimensions, angular dimensions, arc length dimensions, diameter dimensions, and radial dimensions. It is configured.

  Each drawing element is accompanied by attributes defining the drawing element in the scale drawing data 43, such as coordinate values for arranging the drawing elements, and the user sets these attributes on the scale drawing data 43. Drawing elements can be arranged.

Below, the attribute for each drawing element will be described using the table of FIG.
Note that in any drawing element, attribute 1 indicates an arrangement drawing number for specifying the scale drawing data 43 to be arranged, and therefore other attributes will be described.
In the following, a drawing element related to a straight line is abbreviated as a linear element, and a drawing element related to a linear dimension is abbreviated as a linear dimension element.

The straight line element is, for example, a graphic element for expressing a straight line part to be designed, and is defined by attributes 1 to 3. The attribute 2 specifies the coordinate value of the start point of the straight line element, and the attribute 3 specifies the coordinate value of the end point of the straight line element.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a linear element. As shown in FIG. 5, the linear element 119 is defined by the start point 110 and the end point 111.
The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the start point 110, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point 111.

  The arc element (FIG. 4) is, for example, a graphic element for expressing a circle / arc part to be designed, and is defined by attributes 1 to 5. Attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the center point of the arc element, and attribute 3 defines the radius of the arc element. The attribute 4 defines the start angle of the arc element, and the attribute 5 defines the end angle of the arc element.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the arc element. As shown in FIG. 6, the arc element 129 is defined by a center point 120 (attribute 2), a radius 121 (attribute 3), a start angle 122 (attribute 4), and an end angle 123 (attribute 5).

  The angle that defines the arc element 129 is an angle formed by a predetermined reference line and a line segment connecting both end points of the arc element 129 and the center point 120 in the counterclockwise direction. The smaller angle is the start angle 122, and the larger angle is the end angle 123. When the arc element 129 represents a circle, the start angle 122 is set to 0 °, for example, and the end angle 123 is set to 360 °.

  The character element (FIG. 4) is defined by attributes 1 to 5. The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the reference position of the character element, and the attribute 3 defines the character size. The attribute 4 defines the arrangement angle of the character elements, and the attribute 5 defines the contents of the character string (character string data).

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a character element.
As shown in FIG. 7, the character element 139 includes coordinate values (attribute 2), size 131 (attribute 3), display angle 132 (attribute 4), and character string 133 (attribute) of the display reference point 130 of the character element. 5).

The size 131 defines the size of the character string 133.
The display angle 132 is an angle formed by the character string 133 counterclockwise with respect to a predetermined reference line.
The character string 133 is composed of character string data (data defining dimension characters by character codes, that is, text data).

The linear dimension element (FIG. 4) is defined by attribute 1 to attribute 7. The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the starting point of the dimension line, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point of the dimension line.
The attribute 4 defines the coordinate value of the start point of the location indicated by the dimension line in the graphic element, and the attribute 5 similarly defines the coordinate value of the end point of the location indicated by the dimension line.
The attribute 6 defines the coordinate value of the display reference position of the dimension character, and the attribute 7 defines the character string data constituting the dimension character.

FIG. 8A shows an example of a linear dimension element.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the linear dimension element includes a linear dimension line 149, dimension auxiliary lines 148 and 148 at both ends thereof, a character string 145, and the like.
The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the start point 140 of the dimension line 149, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point 141 of the dimension line 149.

The attribute 4 specifies the coordinate value of the start point 142 of the location (not shown) indicated by the dimension line 149, and the attribute 5 specifies the coordinate value of the end point 143 of the location (not shown) indicated by the dimension line 149. is doing.
Further, the attribute 6 defines the coordinate value of the display reference point 144 of the character string 145, and the attribute 7 defines the character string data constituting the character string 145.
In the following, the location indicated by the dimension line is simply referred to as a dimension indicating location.

FIG. 8B shows an example of using linear dimension elements.
As shown in FIG. 8B, the linear dimension element is generated by setting the start point 142 and the end point 143 at the dimension indicating location of the graphic element constituting the dimension object 240.
Therefore, the distance indicated by the dimension line can be measured by the distance (direction parallel to the dimension line 149) between the start point 142 and the end point 143.

The angular dimension element (FIG. 4) is defined by attribute 1 to attribute 6. The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the starting point of the dimension line, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point of the dimension line.
The attribute 4 defines the coordinate value of the center point of the angle indicated by the dimension.
Furthermore, the attribute 5 defines the coordinate value of the display reference point of the dimension character, and the attribute 6 defines the character string data constituting the dimension character.

FIG. 9A shows an example of an angular dimension element. The angle dimension element includes an arc-shaped dimension line 159, dimension auxiliary lines 158 and 158 at both ends thereof, a character string 154, and the like.
The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the start point 150 of the dimension line 159, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point 151 of the dimension line 159.

The attribute 4 defines the coordinate value of the center point 152 of the angle indicated by the angle dimension element.
Further, the attribute 5 defines the coordinate value of the display reference position 153 of the character string 154, and the attribute 6 defines the character string data constituting the character string 154.
In the following, the center point of the angle indicated by the angle dimension element is simply referred to as the center point.

FIG. 9B shows an example of use of the angular dimension element. As shown in FIG. 9B, the angle dimension element is generated by setting the center point 152 at the center of the angle in the dimension object 250.
Therefore, the angle indicated by the dimension line can be measured by the angle formed by the dimension auxiliary lines 158 and 158.

The arc length dimension element (FIG. 4) is defined by attribute 1 to attribute 7.
The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the start point of the dimension line, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point of the dimension line.
The attribute 4 defines the coordinate value of the start point of the dimension designation location, and the attribute 5 defines the coordinate value of the end point of the dimension designation location.
Further, attribute 6 defines the coordinate value of the display reference point of the dimension character, and attribute 7 defines character string data constituting the dimension character.

FIG. 10A shows an example of the arc length dimension element. The arc length dimension element includes an arc-shaped dimension line 169, dimension auxiliary lines 168 and 168 at both ends thereof, a character string 164, and the like.
The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the start point 160 of the dimension line 169, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point 161 of the dimension line 169.

The attribute 4 defines the coordinate value of the start point 162 of the dimension designation location, and the attribute 5 defines the coordinate value of the end point 163 of the dimension designation location.
Further, the attribute 6 defines the coordinate value of the display reference position 163 of the character string 164, and the attribute 7 defines the character string data constituting the character string 164.

  FIG. 10B shows an example of use of the arc length dimension element. As shown in FIG. 10B, the arc length dimension element is generated by setting the start point 162 and the end point 163 at the dimension indicating location of the arc element 261 constituting the dimension object 260. The dimension auxiliary lines 168 and 168 are set to be perpendicular to the tangent line of the arc element 261.

  When the dimension extension lines 168 and 168 are set in this way, the intersection 166 of the dimension extension lines 168 and 168 becomes the center point of the arc element 261. Therefore, the length of a line segment (denoted as a line segment 166-163) composed of the intersection point 166 and the end point 163 (or the start point 162) is the radius of the arc 261. From this, the arc length of the arc 261 can be obtained.

The diameter dimension element (FIG. 4) is defined by attribute 1 to attribute 5. The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the starting point of the dimension line, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point of the dimension line.
The attribute 4 defines the coordinate value of the display reference point of the dimension character, and the attribute 5 defines the character string data constituting the dimension character.
The diameter dimension element is used to indicate the diameter of an arc or a circle.

FIG. 11A shows an example of a diameter dimension element. As shown in FIG. 11A, the diameter dimension element includes a dimension line 179, a character string 173, and the like.
The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the start point 170 of the dimension line 179, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point 171 of the dimension line 179.
Further, the attribute 4 defines the coordinate value of the display reference position 172 of the character string 173, and the attribute 5 defines the character string data constituting the character string 173.

FIG. 11B shows an example of using the diameter dimension. As shown in FIG. 11B, the diameter dimension element is generated by setting the start point 170 and the end point 171 at the dimension indicating positions (two points on the diameter of the circle) of the circle element constituting the dimension object 270. The
Therefore, the diameter of the dimension indicating location can be obtained from the distance between the start point 170 and the end point 171.

The radial dimension element (FIG. 4) is defined by attribute 1 to attribute 5. The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the starting point of the dimension line, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point of the dimension line.
The attribute 4 defines the coordinate value of the display reference point of the dimension character, and the attribute 5 defines the character string data constituting the dimension character.
The radial dimension element is used to indicate the radius of an arc or a circle.

FIG. 12A shows an example of the radial dimension element. As shown in FIG. 12A, the radial dimension element is composed of a dimension line 189, a character string 183, and the like.
The attribute 2 defines the coordinate value of the start point 180 of the dimension line 189, and the attribute 3 defines the coordinate value of the end point 181 of the dimension line 189.
Further, the attribute 4 defines the coordinate value of the display reference position 182 of the character string 183, and the attribute 5 defines the character string data constituting the character string 183.

FIG. 11B shows an example of using the radial dimension. As shown in FIG. 11B, the radial dimension element is generated by setting the start point 180 at the center point of the arc element constituting the dimension object 280 and setting the end point 181 at the dimension indication position.
Therefore, the radius of the dimension indicating location can be measured from the distance between the start point 180 and the end point 181.

As described above, the drawing element has a plurality of attributes. Therefore, the CAD device 1 can identify the type of the drawing element by confirming the attribute included in the drawing element and referring to the attribute in the table of FIG.
For example, when a certain drawing element has attribute 1 to attribute 3 and both attribute 2 and attribute 3 are coordinate values, it can be seen from the table in FIG. 4 that this drawing element is a straight line element.

In addition, the diameter dimension element and the radial dimension element have the same attribute configuration, so they cannot be distinguished from the attribute configuration, but in either case, the length of the arrow line is obtained and used as the calculated dimension value. It is not necessary to distinguish these for comparison with the notation dimensions.
Further, an attribute for specifying the type of the drawing element may be provided, and the CAD apparatus 1 may be configured to determine the type of the drawing element using this attribute.

  The configuration of CAD data and the configuration of drawing elements used for drawing have been described above. Next, a method for calculating the dimension value (calculated dimension value) of the location indicated by the dimension line using the drawing elements will be described. .

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring the length of a portion indicated by a linear dimension element.
As shown in FIG. 13, the length of the portion pointed to by the linear dimension element may be calculated by calculating the distance between the start point 142 and the end point 143 in the dimension line 149 direction.
In the example of FIG. 13, an intersection 142a between a straight line passing through the end point 143 and parallel to the dimension line 149 and a perpendicular drawn from the start point 142 is calculated, and a line segment having the intersection point 142a and the end point 143 as end points is calculated. What is necessary is just to obtain | require the length A of 149a.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring the angle indicated by the angle dimension element.
As the angle indicated by the angle dimension element, an angle A formed by a straight line passing through the start point 150 and the center point 152 and a straight line passing through the end point 151 and the center point 152 may be calculated.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring the length of the arc length indicated by the arc length dimension element.
In order to calculate the arc length, first, an intersection 165 of a straight line passing through the start point 160 and the start point 162 of the designated location and a straight line passing through the end point 161 and the end point 163 of the designated location is calculated. Then, an angle T formed by these straight lines is calculated, and a length R of a line segment connecting the end point 163 and the intersection 165 is obtained.
The arc length A indicated by the arc length dimension element can be obtained using the angle T and the length R thus obtained.

In order to measure the lengths indicated by the diameter dimension element and the radial dimension element, the distance between the start point and the end point of the dimension line may be calculated.
As described above, the dimension value indicated by the dimension notation of the graphic element can be calculated using the drawing element such as the dimension line.

Next, a method for generating the notation dimension value by converting the character string data constituting the dimension character into a numerical value will be described.
In order to perform this processing, the CAD device 1 extracts character string data from the dimension character with the dimension notation, and compares it with a character string pattern prepared in advance. A specific matching method will be described below.

  The extracted character string data includes characters that do not represent numerical values such as symbols and cautions in addition to numbers that represent dimensions. Therefore, the CAD device 1 has a portion in which characters representing values (“0” to “9”, “+”, “−”, “,”, “.”, Blank characters) are consecutive from the character string data). The character string data is extracted for each continuous range. As a result, a character string composed of numerical characters representing numerical values is extracted.

  When each dimension element does not represent an angle dimension (in the case of a dimension element representing a length, such as a linear dimension element, an arc length dimension element, a diameter dimension element, or a radius dimension element), the CAD device 1 extracts the numerical characters Is converted into numerical data as a real value.

If there is a character representing a unit of distance next to a set of numerical characters, the CAD device 1 recognizes and stores the unit as the numerical character unit.
In the description of the dimension value, the meaning of the dimension, “=”, numerical characters, and units are often described in the order of the units. Therefore, if the dimension character string includes “=”, the CAD device 1 indicates “=”. The numerical character after "is converted into numerical data.

  On the other hand, when the dimension element represents an angle (such as an angle dimension element), the CAD apparatus 1 searches the collection of numeric characters extracted in order from the top, and “only one character exists between the collections. If there is one character that satisfies the conditions “Yes” and “A set of numerical characters exists after one character”, that one character is extracted. This condition is to extract angular units existing between numerical characters.

  When the CAD apparatus 1 extracts one character between numerical characters in this manner, the CAD device 1 compares the one character with a character string representing an angle unit such as “°”. If the two match, the numerical character and the character representing the extracted angle unit are combined in the order before extraction.

This combining process is repeated for the number of times the character string indicating the angle appears (for example, three times of degrees, minutes, and seconds) to obtain an angle numerical value.
If extraction of unit characters or numerical characters fails during repetitive work, it is recognized as an angle numerical value at that time.
As described above, the dimension character string can be converted into a numerical value to generate a notation dimension value.

Next, a method for comparing the notation dimension value and the calculated dimension value will be described.
The CAD device 1 determines whether or not the dimension value indicated by the CAD data has been altered in order to make sure that the calculated dimension value is a correct value and uses the reference as a reference.

The CAD device 1 stores an allowable error for each unit in advance in order to determine whether the written dimension value and the calculated dimension value match, and determines whether or not both match within the allowable error.
For example, when the unit is “m”, it is assumed that the allowable error is set to 0.1 [m]. Then, it is assumed that the written dimension value to be compared is 3 [m] and the calculated dimension value is 3.05 [m]. In this case, since the error between the two is 0.05 [m], which is within the allowable error range, the CAD device 1 determines that the written dimension value matches the calculated dimension value. These permissible errors can also be set by the user.

Since the calculated dimension value is calculated by measuring a graphic element of CAD data, the calculated dimension value may be slightly different from the design value due to the influence of a truncation error accompanying numerical calculation, for example.
For this reason, if the matching condition is the exact match between the written dimension value and the calculated dimension value, the condition is too strict, and it is determined that the written dimension value and the calculated dimension value do not match even though they are substantially matched. There are cases.
For this reason, in the present embodiment, in determining the coincidence between the written dimension value and the calculated dimension value, an allowable error is set, and the substantial coincidence between the two is determined.

  First, the CAD device 1 calculates the actual size value of the dimension object using the scale of the scale drawing data 43 and the calculated dimension value, and represents this in each unit. For example, when the calculated dimension value is a numerical value representing a distance or an arc length, it is expressed in units such as kilometers, meters, centimeters, and millimeters. In the case of a numerical value representing an angle, it is expressed in units of decimal system (such as “123.45 degrees”) and 60 system (“123 ° 35′46” ”).

On the other hand, since the indicated dimension value is a value expressed in any unit, if the indicated dimension value and the calculated dimension value are equal, the indicated dimension value matches one of the calculated dimension values expressed in each unit. Should do.
As described above, by expressing the calculated dimension value in each unit, the comparison can be performed regardless of which unit the expressed dimension value is expressed.

  Therefore, the CAD device 1 compares the notation dimension value and the calculated dimension value over all units of the calculated dimension value (for all combinations of the notation dimension value and the calculated dimension value expressed in each unit). Perform) If at least one numerical value matches, it is determined that the notation dimensions are correct.

On the other hand, if there is no match, the CAD device 1 determines that the notation dimension value is incorrect, and the calculated dimension value and unit with the smallest difference between the compared numerical values are given to the user as candidates for the correct notation dimension value. Present.
By displaying the compared numerical value and unit, the user can check the difference between the written dimension value and the calculated dimension value.

Note that the CAD device 1 does not compare the decimal angle and the 60-degree angle when the comparison target is an angle.
In this way, when the angle unit of the notation dimension value and the calculated dimension value is different, the CAD apparatus 1 can convert either unit into the other unit, align both units, and perform comparison.

Incidentally, there is a case where scale information does not exist in the scale drawing data 43. In this case, the CAD device 1 performs processing as follows.
First, the CAD device 1 calculates the scale using the notation dimension value and the calculated dimension value. The CAD apparatus 1 performs this scale calculation for all dimension elements.
Then, the number of dimension elements having the same scale is counted, and the largest scale is adopted as the scale of the scale drawing data 43.

  More specifically, the CAD device 1 calculates a scale from the notation dimension value and a calculated dimension value corresponding to the notation dimension value, and stores the calculated scale in, for example, a predetermined storage area in the RAM 14. The CAD apparatus 1 employs the stored scale as the scale of the scale drawing data 43. As described above, the CAD apparatus 1 includes a scale calculation unit.

Next, the CAD device 1 compares the coincidence / non-coincidence using the scale values that have been adopted, in the same way as the scaled dimensions described above.
Here, the scale information represents an application-specific scale or a scale in a drawing format having a scale (for example, a partial view in SXF (Scadec data eXchange Format)).

  After the CAD device 1 compares the indicated dimension value and the calculated dimension value as described above, the comparison result can be identified to the user by, for example, listing the comparison results or outputting them in the drawing. To provide.

Next, a procedure in which the CAD apparatus 1 compares the notation / disagreement between the written dimension value and the calculated dimension value will be described with reference to FIG.
The following procedure is performed by the CPU 13 according to the CAD program.

First, the CAD apparatus 1 extracts drawing elements related to dimensions, such as linear dimension elements and angular dimension elements, from the scale drawing data 43 (step 5).
Next, the CAD device 1 extracts a character string related to the dimensional notation from the extracted drawing elements, and converts it into a numerical value (step 10).

  More specifically, the CAD device 1 reads character string data constituting a dimensional notation and stores it in a predetermined storage area in the RAM 14, for example. As described above, the CAD apparatus 1 includes the dimension notation reading unit.

  Then, the CAD device 1 converts the character string data stored in the storage area to generate a notation dimension value represented by the dimension notation, and stores this in a predetermined storage area in the RAM 14, for example. As described above, the CAD apparatus 1 includes notation dimension value generation means.

Next, the CAD device 1 calculates a dimension value indicated by the drawing element related to the dimension using information such as a dimension line and a dimension auxiliary line, and generates a calculated dimension value (step 15).
Next, the CAD device 1 compares the notation dimension value with the calculated dimension value (step 20) and stores the comparison result (step 25).

More specifically, the CAD device 1 calculates the dimension value of the graphic element corresponding to the dimension notation obtained by reading the character string data using a dimension line, a dimension extension line, and the like, and calculates the calculated dimension value in, for example, the RAM 14. Store in a predetermined storage area. As described above, the CAD apparatus 1 includes the dimension value calculating means.
Then, the CAD device 1 compares the previously stored notation dimension value with the stored calculated dimension value. As described above, the CAD apparatus 1 includes a comparison unit.

  Next, the CAD device 1 determines whether or not the dimension confirmation has been performed for all the drawing elements (dimension elements) related to the dimension. If there is a drawing element that has not yet been dimension confirmed, the process returns to step 5. The confirmation process is continued (step 30; N).

When the dimension confirmation is performed for all the drawing elements related to the dimension (step 30; Y), the comparison result is presented to the user (step 40), and the process is terminated.
As described above, the CAD apparatus 1 includes comparison result output means for outputting a comparison result.

FIG. 17A is a diagram showing a presentation example of the comparison result, which is displayed on the display of the CAD device 1.
On the left side of the screen, a list of drawing elements whose written dimension values (dimension characters) and calculated dimension values (measurement values) did not match is displayed.

On the right side of the screen, dimension lines, dimension auxiliary lines, and dimension characters whose values do not match are displayed in different colors (not shown).
In addition, if you select a drawing element with an error in the list on the left by clicking with the mouse, the color of the corresponding drawing element changes on the right screen, or a partial enlarged view of that part is displayed. It can also be configured.

In addition, the list may display output availability, comparison units, scale information of dimensions, and the like.
You can also output the list results at once. When outputting at one time, it is possible to select the size to be output by setting the item “output availability” in the list.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17B, when the notation dimension value and the measurement dimension value do not match, the measurement dimension value can be displayed together with the notation dimension value in the design drawing.
In FIG. 17B, the measured dimension value “0.505” is written together with the written dimension value “0.520”, and the measured dimension value “10.000” is plotted against the written dimension value “0.200”. "Is also written.

Further, the list display can be output to a text format file, and at the same time, the drawing can be output to a data file, or the output file can be transmitted by e-mail or the like.
By using these confirmation / output functions, it becomes easy for the user to indicate a portion that needs to be corrected.

The following effects can be obtained by the present embodiment described above.
(1) A numerical value can be extracted from a size character string, and a numerical value can be recognized by identifying a minus sign or a symbol of an angle unit from the preceding and following character strings.
(2) By calculating the dimension value according to the shape of the dimension, the numerical value on the drawing of the location indicated by the dimension can be calculated.
(3) By comparing the numerical values in consideration of the units, it is possible to determine whether or not the numerical value of the dimension character string matches the calculated value of the location indicated by the dimension even if no unit is entered.
(4) Even in a dimension drawn in a drawing without scale information, the scale can be calculated and confirmed in the same manner as a dimension having scale information.

In the present embodiment, the dimension value of the graphic element is calculated using the coordinate value of the dimension line or the auxiliary dimension line, but the measurement method of the calculated dimension value is not limited to this, and the coordinate value of the graphic element is not limited to this. It is also possible to ask directly from
For example, when calculating the length of a linear element corresponding to a certain dimension element, the CAD device 1 first recognizes the linear element corresponding to this dimension element, and then uses this linear element from the coordinate values at both ends of this linear element. Can be calculated.

It is the figure which showed an example of the hardware constitutions of a CAD apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of CAD data. It is a figure for demonstrating the drawing image of CAD data. It is a table listing drawing elements and attributes of these drawing elements. It is a figure for demonstrating a linear element. It is a figure for demonstrating a circular arc element. It is a figure for demonstrating a character element. It is a figure for demonstrating a linear dimension element. It is a figure for demonstrating an angle dimension element. It is a figure for demonstrating an arc length dimension element. It is a figure for demonstrating a diameter dimension element. It is a figure for demonstrating a radial dimension element. It is a figure for demonstrating the method to measure the length of the part pointed by a linear dimension element. It is a figure for demonstrating the method to measure the angle of the part pointed by an angle dimension element. It is a figure for demonstrating the method to measure the length of the part pointed by an arc length dimension element. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure which compares the coincidence / disagreement of a description dimension value and a calculated dimension value. It is the figure which showed the example of presentation of the comparison result.

Explanation of symbols

1 CAD device 11 Control unit 12 ROM
13 CPU
14 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Input device 16 Output device 17 Communication control device 18 Bus line 19 Input / output interface 20 Storage medium drive device 23 Storage device

Claims (6)

Dimension notation reading means for reading character string data constituting the dimension notation from CAD data configured using graphic elements associated with dimension notations and storing them in a predetermined storage area;
Converting the stored character string data to generate a notation dimension value represented by the dimension notation, and storing the generated notation dimension value in a predetermined storage area;
Dimension value calculating means for calculating a calculated dimension value of a graphic element corresponding to the dimension notation obtained by reading the character string data, and storing the calculated calculated dimension value in a predetermined storage area;
Comparison means for comparing the stored notation dimension value with the stored calculated dimension value;
Comparison result output means for outputting a comparison result by the comparison means;
A CAD apparatus comprising:   2. The dimension value calculating means calculates a dimension value of a graphic element using a coordinate value of at least one of a dimension line and a dimension auxiliary line corresponding to the calculated graphic element. The CAD device described in 1.   If the unit of the stored notation dimension value is not specified by the dimension notation, the error between the acquired notation dimension value and the calculated dimension value is the allowable error between the notation dimension value set for each unit and the calculated dimension value. 3. The CAD device according to claim 1, wherein if at least one of the values is satisfied, whether or not the notation dimension value matches the calculated dimension value is compared. 4.   2. A scale calculating means for calculating a scale from the generated notation dimension value and a calculated dimension value corresponding to the notation dimension value and storing the calculated scale in a predetermined storage area. The CAD device according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3.   The output means displays a graphic element whose notation size and calculated size do not coincide with each other on a display device so as to be distinguishable from a graphic element whose notation size and calculated size coincide with each other. The CAD device according to any one of the claims. A dimension notation reading function for reading character string data constituting the dimension notation from CAD data configured using graphic elements associated with dimension notations and storing them in a predetermined storage area;
A notation dimension value generation function for converting the stored character string data to generate a notation dimension value represented by the dimension notation, and storing the generated notation dimension value in a predetermined storage area;
A dimension value calculating function for calculating a calculated dimension value of a graphic element corresponding to the dimension notation obtained by reading the character string data, and storing the calculated calculated dimension value in a predetermined storage area;
A comparison function for comparing the stored notation dimension value and the stored calculated dimension value;
A comparison result output function for outputting a comparison result by the comparison function;
CAD program that realizes the above on a computer.

Images