JP2004038502A - Display method of three-dimensional shape, computer program and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display method of three-dimensional shape capable of easily finding out a wrong board thickness in a virtual phase. <P>SOLUTION: When a CAD viewer is executed, a three-dimensional shape is displayed on the basis of a read shape file (S302). When the formation of a board thickness contour view is instructed in a step S304, a board thickness color gradation conversion program is started, and the board thickness in each position of the three-dimensional shape under display is measured by use of the shape file with the shape concerned described therein (S305). The color in the measuring position is selected in reference to a board thickness-color conformation table (S307). Generated plate thickness color gradation data are returned to the CAD viewer. A three-dimensional shape based on the board thickness color gradation data is displayed (S308). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for displaying a three-dimensional shape, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium. More specifically, the present invention expresses the thickness of a three-dimensional shape generated using a polygon by a CAD / CAM system or the like. The present invention relates to a method for displaying a three-dimensional shape, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional method for inspecting and inspecting the thickness of a polygon model designed using a CAD system, a distance between a point-plane, a line-plane, and a plane-plane of a CAD system or the like is known. There is known a method in which a specific position is designated by a measuring function, and the thickness at that position is measured as individual numerical data.
[0003]
In addition, it is common practice to verify erroneous plate thickness using slice data used in rapid prototyping (RP). According to this technique, slice data indicating the shape of each cross section is calculated from STL (Stereo Lithography) data that is shape data of three-dimensional CAD. Then, by scrutinizing the obtained slice data, an erroneous plate thickness is found.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the shape of the three-dimensional shape is complicated, such as when there is a difference between the shape of the inner surface and the shape of the outer surface, when the fillet portion or the rib shape intersect, or when there is a draft in the plate thickness due to the restriction of the mold. In some cases, the thickness of the polygon object may be inadvertently noted and unpredictable at the stage of creating the polygon object using the CAD system. Overlooking such erroneous plate thickness, product / prototype shapes may be incorrect in machine cutting, die manufacturing and rapid prototyping processes that directly use CAD model data designed by CAD systems. It becomes.
[0005]
Similarly, a CAE simulation result based on a CAE mesh model for analysis created with an erroneous plate thickness lacks reliability.
[0006]
Therefore, when moving from virtual phase work such as CAD model creation to physical phase such as machine cutting, die manufacturing, and rapid prototyping, a process of closely inspecting and inspecting whether a thickness consistent with the design intention is secured. Can be said to be an essential step in the manufacturing industry. In order to reduce return work and improve quality, it is necessary to carefully examine, inspect and correct the thickness distribution in the virtual phase.
[0007]
However, the conventional inspection / inspection method as described above depends on the skill of the operator, and cannot correctly and quickly pick up an erroneous plate thickness. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time to verify the distribution of the plate thickness, and that the work load imposed on the scrutiny and the like is large.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of displaying a three-dimensional shape that can easily find an erroneous thickness in a virtual phase, a computer program, and a computer readable program. It is to provide a simple recording medium and a recording medium.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a method for displaying a three-dimensional shape by a computer that displays a three-dimensional shape using a plurality of polygons, wherein the thickness of the three-dimensional shape is Is represented by a color distribution.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional shape display method according to the first aspect, the three-dimensional shape is a shape having a non-uniform plate thickness.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the method for displaying a three-dimensional shape according to the first or second aspect, when the expression is performed, a normal vector of an adjacent polygon among the plurality of polygons is used. The normal vectors whose lengths are all equal are synthesized, and a straight line that passes through the vertices shared by the adjacent polygons and is parallel to the synthesized vector and the intersection of the other polygons among the plurality of polygons is obtained. The distance from the obtained intersection to the intersection of the normal line of the other polygon at the intersection and a plane passing through the vertex and parallel to the other polygon is defined as a thickness at the vertex. I do.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the three-dimensional shape display method according to the third aspect, the three-dimensional shape is a knife edge shape.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the method for displaying a three-dimensional shape according to the third aspect, the three-dimensional shape is an end cut-off shape.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 6 is the three-dimensional shape display method according to claim 3, wherein the three-dimensional shape is a fillet shape.
[0015]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for causing a computer that displays a three-dimensional shape using a plurality of polygons to execute a step of expressing the thickness of the three-dimensional shape by a color distribution. It is characterized by the following.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 8 is a computer-readable recording medium, characterized by recording the computer program according to claim 7.
[0017]
Further, according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the computer-readable recording medium, a three-dimensional image formed of a plurality of polygons and having a thickness represented by a color distribution is recorded. And
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a detailed embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a computer to which the present invention has been applied. In FIG. 1, a computer 100 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102 built therein. An input / output interface (I / F) 110 is connected to the CPU 102 via a bus 108. When an instruction is input by operating the keyboard 114 or the mouse 113 via the input / output I / F 110, the CPU 102 executes a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 106 according to the instruction. Alternatively, the CPU 102 reads out a program recorded in the storage unit 118 via the input / output I / F 110, loads the program into the RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, and executes the program. The execution of the program may be instructed by the information received from the communication unit 112.
[0020]
In this way, the processing according to the present invention described later is realized. Then, the CPU 102 outputs the processing result from the display 116 and the printer 115 constituted by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) or the like as necessary, for example, via the input / output I / F 110. Then, it is transmitted from the communication unit 112 or recorded in the storage unit 118.
[0021]
Note that processing steps for describing a program for causing the computer 100 to execute various types of processing do not necessarily need to be processed in chronological order, and may include processing executed in parallel or individually.
[0022]
Further, the program may be processed by one computer, or may be processed in a distributed manner by a plurality of computers. Further, the program may be transferred to a remote computer and executed.
[0023]
The storage unit 118 is a computer-readable recording medium suitable for storing programs and data to be executed by the CPU 102, and can be configured by any form of nonvolatile memory. For example, there are semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM disks.
[0024]
The programs include at least a three-dimensional polygon modeler 120, a CAD viewer 122, a board thickness gradation conversion program 124, a rapid prototyping editing software 126, an FEM (Finite Element Method) mesh pre-process mesh dividing software 128, and a mold making software 130. Having.
[0025]
The three-dimensional polygon modeler 120 is software for performing modeling by configuring a three-dimensional shape with a large number of polygons. The CPU 102 outputs polygon data (hereinafter, referred to as a shape file) 132 describing a shape by executing a program command of the three-dimensional polygon modeler 120, and causes the storage unit 118 to store the data. The shape file is configured as one piece of polygon data in which all the polygons defined as a mesh or a lattice maintain a connected state.
[0026]
Here, examples of the shape file include an STL format file, a VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) format file, and other polygon format files that are input to an RP modeling machine that performs modeling by rapid prototyping. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
[0027]
The CAD viewer 122 is software for displaying the contents of a shape file created by executing the three-dimensional polygon modeler 120. The CAD viewer 122 is software for confirming the contents, which is only for displaying, without changing the contents of the file.
[0028]
The thickness color gradation conversion program 124 generates thickness color gradation data 134 that represents the color of the surface of the three-dimensional object having a predetermined thickness by changing the color according to the thickness of the three-dimensional object. This is software for storing the information in the storage 118. Such a plate thickness color gradation conversion process is performed by the CPU 102 receiving the shape file 132 from the CAD viewer 122 and measuring the plate thickness of the three-dimensional shape based on this file.
[0029]
When a shape file output by the execution of the three-dimensional polygon modeler 120 by the CPU 102 is input, the rapid prototyping editing software 126 performs setting of the position and orientation of the shape based on the file, and slices of the cross section of the three-dimensional shape. The data 136 is created and stored in the storage unit 118.
[0030]
When the shape file is input, the FEM mesh preprocessing mesh division software 128 generates FEM model data (FEM model data) 138 used for CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) simulation and stores the generated data in the storage unit 118. Let it.
[0031]
When the shape file is input, the mold creation software 130 creates NC data 140 used in an NC (Numerical Control) machine such as a CAM system for mold processing based on the file, and stores the NC data 140 in the storage unit 118. Remember.
[0032]
The board thickness-color correspondence table 142 is a program referred to by the CPU 102 that executes the board thickness color gradation conversion program 124, and stores the board thickness (distance) and the color in association with each other. This correspondence is defined such that the saturation, brightness, color, or a combination thereof changes in accordance with the thickness of the plate.
[0033]
Next, a color gradation plate thickness verification process using the computer 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0034]
First, the three-dimensional polygon modeler 120 is activated to draw a three-dimensional shape (S402). Then, when the user instructs to save the image, a shape file 132 describing the three-dimensional shape is written to the storage unit 118.
[0035]
Next, when the CAD viewer 122 is started in response to an instruction from the user, the computer 100 reads out the shape file 132 and displays the drawn image on the display 116 (S404). Here, when the user instructs to display an image in which the plate thickness is represented by a color distribution (hereinafter, may be referred to as a “plate thickness contour diagram”) with respect to the image being displayed, the CPU 102 displays The shape file of the two-dimensional shape is passed to the plate thickness color gradation conversion program 124. Next, the thickness color gradation conversion program 124 is executed to generate thickness color gradation data 134 for expressing the thickness of the three-dimensional shape by color distribution based on the shape file, and returns the data to the CAD viewer 122 ( S406).
[0036]
The CPU 102 executes the CAD viewer 122 again using the plate thickness color gradation data 134 as an input value, and displays an image (S404).
[0037]
The user can verify the thickness of the designed product by browsing the data displayed here (S408). Then, when an erroneous plate thickness is found by this verification, the process returns to step S402 again, and the drawing is repeated.
[0038]
On the other hand, if there is no erroneous plate thickness as a result of the verification, the subsequent processing according to the use of the shape file is performed (S409). That is, when the shape file is used for rapid prototyping, the process proceeds to step S410, and the rapid prototyping editing software 126 is activated. Then, by executing this program, the slice data 136 is output and written into the storage unit 118. The data output here is used by the RP modeling machine 416. When the shape file is used for CAE, the FEM mesh pre-process mesh division software 128 is started, and the FEM model data 138 is output by execution of this program and written into the storage unit 118. The data output here can be used as input values to software or hardware (CAE simulator) 418 for performing simulation by CAE. Further, when the shape file is used for mold creation, mold creation software 130 is started, and by executing this program, NC data 140 is output and written into the storage unit 118. The output data is used by the NC machine 420.
[0039]
Next, operations of the computer 100 that executes the CAD viewer 122 and the board thickness color gradation conversion program 124 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0040]
As described above, when the CAD viewer 122 is executed, the computer 100 displays a three-dimensional shape based on the shape file (S302). At the same time, an instruction to create a thickness contour diagram for the displayed three-dimensional shape is received (S304). Such a process can be performed by, for example, displaying a button to be pressed on the display when a creation of a thickness contour diagram is desired, and accepting the button operation from the user.
[0041]
When receiving an instruction to create a thickness contour diagram, the computer 100 activates the thickness color gradation conversion program 124. Then, using the shape file describing the currently displayed three-dimensional shape, the plate thickness at each position on the shape surface is measured (S305). Next, the color at the measurement position is selected with reference to the plate thickness-color correspondence table 142 (S306). In this way, the generation of the plate thickness color gradation data is performed.
[0042]
When the selection of the colors for all the positions is completed (S307), the generated thickness color gradation data 134 is returned to the CAD viewer 122. The computer 100 executes the CAD viewer 122 again, and displays a three-dimensional shape based on the thickness color gradation data returned from the thickness color gradation conversion program 124 (S308). Here, when the plate thickness of the adjacent measurement positions is different, the color between the measurement positions may be displayed by a gradation in which the color is continuously changed.
[0043]
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of a plate thickness color gradation conversion process executed by the computer according to the present embodiment.
[0044]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a plate-shaped body having a non-uniform thickness, and the drawing direction coincides with the direction of the plate thickness. The shape file generated based on the execution of the three-dimensional polygon modeler 120 includes polygon data representing the top surface 202 and polygon data representing the bottom surface 204. The polygon data representing the upper surface 202 includes information on the position of each vertex defining the upper surface in the three-dimensional space and information on the direction of the normal vector 206 of this surface. The polygon data representing the bottom surface 204 also includes data on each vertex and information on the normal vector 212. The direction of the normal vector is defined as a direction penetrating each polygon from the back surface to the front surface. The CPU 102 measures the plate thickness in the following manner based on the execution of the plate thickness color gradation conversion program 124.
[0045]
For example, when measuring the plate thickness at the position P1 of the measurement target on the upper surface 202, the normal vector 206 is directed in the opposite direction and is set as the vector 210. Next, the vector 210 is adjusted, and an intersection P2 between the straight line passing through the position P1 and parallel to the vector 210 and the bottom surface 204 is obtained. Then, the distance between the position P1 and the intersection P2 is obtained. Such a thickness measurement process is performed on a predetermined position on the surface constituting the plate 200. Thereafter, referring to the plate thickness-color correspondence table 142, a color for displaying each position on the plate-like body surface is selected.
[0046]
Creation of a color distribution on the bottom surface 204 can be performed in a similar manner. In this case, for example, a vector 214 in a direction opposite to the normal vector 212 is generated at the position Q1 of the measurement target on the bottom surface 204. Next, the length of the vector 214 is adjusted, and an intersection Q2 between the straight line passing through the position Q1 and parallel to the vector 214 and the upper surface 202 is obtained. Then, the distance between the position Q1 and the intersection Q2 is determined.
[0047]
In addition, the position and the number of measurement points of the three-dimensional shape may be settable by the user. In this case, the resolution of the image displayed on the CAD viewer 122 may be settable, and the measurement location may be determined according to the set resolution.
[0048]
FIG. 5 shows an example of an image displayed by the three-dimensional shape display method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a display mode when the present invention is applied to a CAD viewer that operates on a well-known multi-window OS (Operating System). The window 500 is displayed based on the image 502 displayed using the shape file output from the three-dimensional polygon modeler 120 and the thickness color gradation data returned from the thickness color gradation conversion program 124. The image 504 is arranged. The image 502 is displayed by a general CAD viewer function. Specifically, when the file read button 506 is pressed, the CPU 102 reads and displays the shape file.
[0049]
When the user presses the button 508 while displaying the image 502, the image 504 is displayed after the processing described above with reference to FIGS. At this time, by displaying the color list 510 corresponding to the plate thickness amount, the plate thickness in the image 504 can be easily grasped. In the example shown in the figure, it can be seen that the position indicated by reference numeral 512 is 0.30 mm or less.
[0050]
Thus, when displaying a three-dimensional shape using polygons, expressing the plate thickness by color distribution is a major feature of the present invention. Therefore, a computer-readable recording medium that records an image represented by the method of the present invention, that is, a three-dimensional shape composed of a plurality of polygons and in which a three-dimensional shape in which the thickness is represented by a color distribution is also recorded An effect unique to the present invention is achieved. Examples of such a recording medium include a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a flash memory device, a magnetic disk such as an internal hard disk and a removable disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a CD-ROM disk.
[0051]
(2nd Embodiment)
Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the present invention in which the thickness of a vertex of a three-dimensional object composed of polygons is measured and the color of the vertex is obtained.
[0052]
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a right angle portion of the polygon object. In the figure, the thickness between the outer surface 608 and the inner surface 620 of the object is b, and the thickness between the outer surface 602 and the inner surface 612 is a.
[0053]
The plate thickness at the vertex R1 shared by the adjacent outer surfaces 602 and 608 can be obtained as follows. First, a vector 606 is obtained by combining the normal vector 604 of the outer surface 602 and the normal vector 610 of the outer surface 608. Here, it is assumed that the lengths of the normal vectors 604 and 610 are equal. Next, a vector 624 obtained by reversing the vector 606 is generated. Next, the length of the vector 624 is adjusted, and an intersection R2 between the straight line passing through the vertex R1 and parallel to the vector 624 and the inner side surface 620 is obtained. The thickness b at the intersection R2 is defined as the thickness at the vertex R1.
[0054]
Thereafter, when displaying the three-dimensional shape, the color corresponding to the plate thickness b may be selected as the color of the vertex R1.
[0055]
In this way, normal vectors 604 and 610, which are normal vectors of adjacent polygons 602 and 608, all having the same length, are synthesized, and are passed through vertex R1 shared by polygons 602 and 608 and parallel to vector 606. An intersection R2 between the straight line and another polygon 620 is obtained, and a distance from the obtained intersection R2 to an intersection between a normal line of the polygon 620 at the intersection R2 and a plane 608 passing through the vertex R1 and parallel to the other polygon 620. The process of setting b to the plate thickness at the vertex R1 is realized.
[0056]
The plate thickness at the vertex S1 shared by the adjacent inner side surfaces 612 and 620 can be similarly obtained. First, a vector 616 is obtained by combining a normal vector 614 of the inner surface 612 and a normal vector 618 of the inner surface 620. Here, it is assumed that the lengths of the normal vectors 614 and 618 are equal. Next, a vector 622 having the vector 616 reversed is generated. Next, the length of the vector 622 is adjusted, and an intersection S2 between a straight line passing through the vertex S1 and parallel to the vector 622 and the outer surface 602 is obtained. Next, an intersection S3 between the normal to the outer surface 602 at the intersection S2 and the plane including the inner surface 612 is determined. The distance a between the intersections S2 and S3 is defined as the thickness at the vertex S1.
[0057]
In this way, the normal vectors of the adjacent polygons 612 and 620, which are normal vectors 614 and 618 having the same length, are combined, and the combined vector passes through the vertex S1 shared by the polygons 612 and 620. An intersection S2 between the straight line parallel to 616 and another polygon 602 is obtained. From the obtained intersection S2, a normal line of the polygon 602 at the intersection S2 and an inner side surface 612 passing through the vertex S1 and parallel to the other polygon 602 are obtained. A process is realized in which the distance a to the intersection S3 with the included plane is set to the plate thickness at the vertex S1.
[0058]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the knife edge portion of the polygon object. The vertical direction in the drawing corresponds to the thickness direction. In the drawing, the thickness between the side surface 708 and the side surface 712 of the object is c.
[0059]
The plate thickness at the vertex U1 shared by the adjacent side surfaces 708 and 710 can be obtained as follows. First, a vector 704 obtained by combining the normal vector 702 of the side surface 708 and the normal vector 706 of the side surface 710 is obtained. Here, it is assumed that the lengths of the normal vectors 702 and 706 are equal. Next, a vector 709 obtained by reversing the vector 704 is generated. Next, the length of the vector 709 is adjusted, and an intersection U2 between the side surface 712 and a straight line passing through the vertex U1 and parallel to the vector 709 is obtained. The plate thickness c at the intersection U2 is set as the plate thickness at the vertex U1.
[0060]
The plate thickness at the vertex T1 shared by the adjacent side surfaces 712 and 710 can be obtained in a similar manner. First, a vector 716 obtained by combining the normal vector 714 of the side surface 712 and the normal vector 706 of the side surface 710 is obtained. Here, it is assumed that the lengths of the normal vectors 714 and 706 are equal. Next, a vector 718 obtained by reversing the vector 716 is generated. Next, the length of the vector 718 is adjusted, and an intersection T2 between the straight line passing through the vertex U1 and parallel to the vector 718 and the side surface 708 is obtained. The plate thickness c at the intersection T2 is defined as the plate thickness at the vertex T1.
[0061]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an edge cut off (chamfered) portion of a polygon object. In the figure, the plate thickness between the outer side surface 803 and the inner side surface 812 of the object is d.
[0062]
The plate thickness at the vertex V1 shared by the polygons of the adjacent outer surfaces 803 and 805 can be obtained as follows. First, a vector 804 is obtained by combining a normal vector 802 of the outer surface 803 and a normal vector 806 of the outer surface 805. Here, it is assumed that the lengths of the normal vectors 802 and 806 are equal. Next, a vector 820 obtained by reversing the vector 804 is generated. Next, the length of the vector 820 is adjusted, and an intersection V2 between a straight line passing through the vertex V1 and parallel to the vector 820 and the inner side surface 812 is obtained. The plate thickness d at the intersection V2 is set as the plate thickness at the vertex V1. The plate thickness of the vertex X1 can be obtained in the same manner.
[0063]
The plate thickness at the vertex W1 of the polygon of the adjacent side surfaces 812 and 810 can be obtained by the following method. First, a vector 816 is obtained by combining a normal vector 814 of the inner surface 812 and a normal vector 808 of the inner surface 810. Next, a vector 822 having the vector 816 inverted is generated. Next, the length of the vector 822 is adjusted, and an intersection W2 between a straight line passing through the vertex W1 and parallel to the vector 822 and the outer surface 805 is obtained. Next, an intersection W3 between the normal of the outer surface 806 at the intersection W2 and a plane passing through the vertex W1 and parallel to the outer surface 805 is obtained. The distance h between the intersections W2 and W3 is defined as the thickness of the vertex W1.
[0064]
Even when the three-dimensional shape has a fillet portion, the plate thickness can be measured in the same manner by using the method described with reference to FIG.
[0065]
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another polygon object. The plate thickness at the vertex Y1 shared by the polygons of the adjacent outer surfaces 904 and 912 can be obtained as follows. First, a vector 908 is obtained by combining the normal vector 902 of the outer surface 904 and the normal vector 910 of the outer surface 912. Here, it is assumed that the lengths of the normal vectors 902 and 910 are equal. Next, a vector 906 obtained by reversing the vector 908 is generated. Next, the length of the vector 906 is adjusted, and an intersection Y2 between a straight line passing through the vertex Y1 and parallel to the vector 906 and the inner surface 922 is obtained. Next, an intersection Y3 between a normal to the inner side surface 922 at the intersection Y2 and a plane passing through the vertex Y1 and parallel to the inner side surface 922 is determined. The distance i between the intersections Y2 and Y3 is defined as the thickness at the vertex Y1.
[0066]
In addition, the plate thickness of the vertex Z1 can be obtained by the same method. Further, the plate thickness at the position x may be represented by an intermediate color between the plate thickness at the vertex Y1 and the plate thickness at the vertex Z1.
[0067]
As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be implemented in other various forms. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the three-dimensional polygon modeler, the CAD viewer, and the board thickness color gradation conversion program are described as independent programs. It goes without saying that the same effect is achieved.
[0068]
Further, the display mode of the three-dimensional shape is not limited to the image shown in the example of FIG.
[0069]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the method of obtaining the plate thickness and the color at the vertices shared by the two polygons has been described. it can.
[0070]
Further, the present invention can be realized by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.
[0071]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a computer program executable on a system including a programmable processor coupled to send and receive data and instructions to and from a data storage device, an input device, and at least one output device. realizable. Each computer program can be described in a high-level procedural programming language, an object-oriented programming language, an assembly language or a machine language. However, in any case, the language described can be a compiled or interpreted language.
[0072]
Furthermore, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, other embodiments also belong to the scope of the claims.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to recognize the thickness distribution of polygon data as visual color information, so that an erroneous thickness can be quickly found without depending on the skill of the operator. It is possible to do.
[0074]
In addition, the present invention enables the process to be performed reliably and promptly, thereby making it possible to save resources and increase the efficiency of production activities in the manufacturing industry.
[0075]
In addition, the accuracy of CAE mesh division using the CAD model directly can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a computer to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a color gradation plate thickness verification process using a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a computer based on execution of a CAD viewer and a board thickness gradation conversion program according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a plate thickness color gradation conversion process according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the three-dimensional shape display method according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a right angle portion of the polygon object.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a knife edge portion of a polygon object.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a chamfered portion of a polygon object.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another polygon object.
[Explanation of symbols]
102 CPU
104 RAM
106 ROM
108 Bus
110 input / output I / F
112 communication unit
113 mouse
114 keyboard
115 Printer
116 Display
118 Memory
120 3D Polygon Modeler
122 CAD Viewer
124 Thickness color gradation conversion program
126 Rapid Prototyping Editing Software
128 FEM mesh pre-process mesh division software
130 Mold Making Software
132 Shape File
134 Thickness color gradation data
136 slice data
138 FEM model data
140 NC data
142 Sheet thickness-color correspondence table
416 RP molding machine
418 CAE Simulator
420 NC machine

Claims (9)

A method for displaying a three-dimensional shape by a computer that displays a three-dimensional shape using a plurality of polygons, wherein the thickness of the three-dimensional shape is represented by a color distribution. The method according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional shape has a non-uniform plate thickness. In expressing the above,
Normal vectors of adjacent polygons among the plurality of polygons, and synthesizing normal vectors having the same length,
Obtain the intersection of a straight line passing through the vertices shared by the adjacent polygons and parallel to the synthesized vector, and another polygon of the plurality of polygons,
The distance from the obtained intersection to the intersection of the normal line of the other polygon at the intersection and a plane passing through the vertex and parallel to the other polygon is defined as a thickness at the vertex. The method for displaying a three-dimensional shape according to claim 1. The method according to claim 3, wherein the three-dimensional shape is a knife edge shape. The method according to claim 3, wherein the three-dimensional shape is an end cut-off shape. The method according to claim 3, wherein the three-dimensional shape is a fillet shape. A computer program for causing a computer, which displays a three-dimensional shape using a plurality of polygons, to execute a step of expressing the thickness of the three-dimensional shape by a color distribution. A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 7 is recorded. A computer-readable recording medium having a three-dimensional shape composed of a plurality of polygons and recording a three-dimensional shape image in which a plate thickness is represented by a color distribution.

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