WO2009119693A1

WO2009119693A1 - Device and method for selecting graphic element

Info

Publication number: WO2009119693A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/056011
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雄典原口; 圭介中村
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2008-03-25
Filing date: 2009-03-25
Publication date: 2009-10-01
Also published as: CN101981577B; JP4991611B2; CN101981577A; JP2009237631A

Abstract

A device and method for selecting a graphic element. A search formula creation part (20) creates search formula information on the basis of geometric information relating to a graphic element indicated by an element name inputted by a speech input device (15) and search basic formula information corresponding to a component name inputted by the speech input device (15). A search part (21) searches geometric information stored in a shape data storage part (13) with a search formula contained in the search formula information created by the search formula creation part (20) as a search condition, extracts the graphic element of geometric information coincident with the search condition, and calculates the number of search conditions coincident with the extracted graphic element. Then, search part (21) creates a search result list on the basis of the element name of the extracted graphic element and the number of coincident search conditions, and outputs the created search result list to a search result output device (23).

Description

Graphic element selection apparatus and method

The present invention relates to a graphic element selection apparatus and method for selecting a graphic element constituting a shape, and more specifically, in order to generate a shape composed of a plurality of graphic elements in a CAD system, the graphic element constituting the shape is selected. The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for selecting a graphic element to be selected.

In a CAD (Computer Aided Design) system or the like, there is a related technique for selecting a graphic element from a plurality of graphic elements displayed on a screen.
The graphic sequential selection device, which is the first related technology, indicates the coordinates inside the selected figure from among the overlapping figures displayed on the display, and thus includes the indicated coordinates. Then, a graphic having the next overlapping order of the graphic in the selected state is newly selected (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-114633).
A graphic selection method as a second related technique is configured to include a step of searching for a graphic element in contact with a specified graphic element when selecting a graphic composed of a plurality of graphic elements. A graphic element can be selected with a minimum number of operations (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-182071).
The multi-element batch selection method as the third related technique specifies a first plane and a second plane parallel to the first plane, and identifies the first plane identified from the plurality of geometric elements. Geometric elements existing in a space region sandwiched between the plane and the second plane are selected at once (see, for example, JP-A-2003-271676).
In the graphic selection method as the fourth related technique, when a representative element is selected from graphic elements displayed on the display screen, the shape information and attribute information of the representative element are displayed. Then, information that is not extracted as a condition item is selected from the displayed shape element and attribute information of the representative element to determine the condition item, and all graphic elements that match the determined condition item are searched and selected. A plurality of graphic elements that equalize a specific condition can be selected by a simple operation. The shape information is a shape-specific item such as a radius and an angle, and the attribute information is a standard attribute such as a pen number, a line type, a color, and a layer number (see, for example, JP-A-7-114633).
The first related technique can select a figure that is not in a selected state from among the overlappingly displayed figures, and the second related technique can select a graphic element that touches the third related technique. Related techniques can select geometric elements that are sandwiched between two parallel planes. However, in any related technique, the selection range is limited, and in order to select an element outside the selection range, it is necessary to repeat the same multiple operations.
In the fourth related technique, the selection range is not limited, but a specific condition determined by the shape information and attribute information of the graphic element, for example, a graphic element having the same radius or angle is selected. There is a problem that a graphic element having a specific positional relationship cannot be selected.

The object of the present invention is to select graphic elements that can narrow down candidates of graphic elements on which parts of the same shape are arranged from among the graphic elements constituting the shape of the placement object on which the parts are arranged, by conditions including positional relationships. An apparatus and method is provided.
The present invention relates to geometric element storage means for storing geometric information representing graphic elements constituting the shape of an object on which a part is arranged and graphic element identification information for identifying the graphic elements in association with each other;
Search condition information storage means for storing search condition information representing a predetermined search condition including a positional relationship for searching for graphic elements in which parts having the same shape are arranged;
Graphic element selection means for selecting graphic element identification information of a graphic element constituting a shape at a position where one part is arranged from among graphic element identification information stored in the graphic element storage means;
The geometric information of the first graphic element indicated by the graphic element identification information selected by the graphic element selection means among the geometric information stored in the graphic element storage means, and the search condition stored in the search condition information storage means Search means for searching for a graphic element candidate in which a component having the same shape as the component arranged at the position of the first graphic element is based on a predetermined search condition indicated by the information;
A graphic element selection device comprising: display means for selectively displaying graphic element identification information of graphic element candidates searched by the search means.
In the present invention, a second graphic for selecting second graphic element identification information different from the graphic element identification information of the first graphic element from graphic element identification information displayed in a selectable manner by the display means. Further comprising element selection means,
The search means includes the second graphic element indicated by the second graphic element identification information selected by the second graphic element selection means among the geometric information stored in the graphic element storage means, and the first graphic element. It is preferable to search for a graphic element candidate in which a part having the same shape as the part arranged at the position of the first graphic element is searched based on the geometric information of the graphic element and the predetermined search condition.
Further, in the present invention, the shape of the graphic element is a circular or arc shape,
The predetermined search condition preferably includes a condition that a radius of the shape of the graphic element candidate is equal to a radius of the shape of the first graphic element.
In the present invention, the predetermined search condition is that the direction of the normal of the virtual plane including the candidate for the graphic element is the same as the direction of the normal of the virtual plane including the first graphic element. It is preferable that it is further included.
Also, in the present invention, the predetermined search condition is that when the position of the center of the graphic element is expressed in an XYZ coordinate system with the position of the center of gravity of the placement object as the origin, one of the X coordinate axis, the Y coordinate axis, and the Z coordinate axis Preferably, the coordinate axis further includes a condition that the absolute value of the coordinate of the center position of the graphic element candidate is equal to the absolute value of the coordinate of the center position of the first graphic element.
Also, in the present invention, the predetermined search condition is that, among the surfaces constituting the surface of the object to be placed, when the surface including the first graphic element includes a straight outer peripheral edge, The distance between the first straight line and the center of the graphic element candidate preferably further includes a condition that the distance between the first straight line and the center of the first graphic element is equal.
In the present invention, the predetermined search condition further includes a condition that the center of the graphic element candidate is on a straight line passing through the center of the first graphic element and the center of the second graphic element. Is preferred.
In the present invention, the predetermined search condition is that the center of the graphic element candidate is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center of the first graphic element and the center of the second graphic element, and It is preferable to further include a condition of being on a straight line passing through the center of the graphic element or the second graphic element.
Further, in the present invention, the second graphic element selection means is configured to select graphic element identification information of the first graphic element and the second graphic element from graphic element identification information displayed so as to be selectable by the display means. And further select third graphic element identification information different from
The search means is a third graphic selected by the first graphic element, the second graphic element, and the second graphic element selection means among the geometric information stored in the graphic element storage means. Based on the geometric information of the third graphic element indicated by the element identification information and the predetermined search condition, the graphic element in which the part having the same shape as the part arranged at the position of the first graphic element is arranged. Search for suggestions,
The predetermined search condition is that the center of the graphic element candidate is on a circle passing through the center of the first graphic element, the center of the second graphic element, and the center of the third graphic element. It is preferable to further include conditions.
Further, the present invention stores in a graphic element storage unit which stores geometric information representing graphic elements constituting the shape of an arrangement object on which a part is arranged and graphic element identification information for identifying graphic elements in association with each other. A graphic element selection step of selecting graphic element identification information of a graphic element constituting a shape at a position where one part is arranged from among the graphic element identification information to be displayed;
The geometric information stored in the graphic element storage unit is searched for the geometric element having the same shape as the geometric information of the first graphic element indicated by the graphic element identification information selected in the graphic element selection step. A search step of searching for a graphic element candidate in which a part having the same shape as the part arranged at the position of the first graphic element is based on a predetermined search condition including a positional relationship for
And a display step for selectively displaying graphic element identification information of graphic element candidates searched in the search step.
According to the present invention, the graphic element storage means associates and stores geometric information representing graphic elements constituting the shape of the object on which the part is arranged and graphic element identification information for identifying the graphic elements. The search condition information storage means stores search condition information representing a predetermined search condition including a positional relationship for searching for graphic elements in which parts having the same shape are arranged, and the graphic element selection means stores the graphic elements. From the graphic element identification information stored in the storage means, graphic element identification information of a graphic element constituting a shape at a position where one part is arranged is selected.
Then, the geometric information of the first graphic element indicated by the graphic element identification information selected by the graphic element selection means among the geometric information stored in the graphic element storage means by the search means, and the search condition information storage means A graphic element candidate in which a part having the same shape as the part arranged at the position of the first graphic element is searched based on a predetermined search condition indicated by the search condition information stored in Thus, graphic element identification information of graphic element candidates searched by the search means is displayed so as to be selectable.
Therefore, candidates for graphic elements in which parts having the same shape are arranged can be narrowed down by the condition including the positional relationship from among the graphic elements constituting the shape of the placement object on which the parts are arranged.
According to the present invention, in the graphic element selection step, the geometric information representing the graphic elements constituting the shape of the placement object on which the part is arranged and the graphic element identification information for identifying the graphic elements are stored in association with each other. The graphic element identification information of the graphic element constituting the shape at the position where one part is arranged is selected from the graphic element identification information stored in the graphic element storage unit.
In the search step, parts having the same shape as the geometric information of the first graphic element indicated by the graphic element identification information selected in the graphic element selection step among the geometric information stored in the graphic element storage unit are arranged. Based on a predetermined search condition including a positional relationship for searching for a graphic element, a candidate for a graphic element in which a part having the same shape as the part arranged at the position of the first graphic element is searched. In the display step, the graphic element identification information of the graphic element candidates searched in the search step is displayed in a selectable manner.
Therefore, if the graphic element selection method according to the present invention is applied, candidates for graphic elements in which parts having the same shape are arranged among the graphic elements constituting the shape of the placement object in which the parts are arranged are included in the positional relationship. It can be narrowed down by conditions.

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the graphical element selection apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the basic search formula information memorize | stored in a basic search formula memory | storage device. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the cover component which is an example of the to-be-arranged component by which an arrangement | positioning component is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the cover component which is an example of the to-be-arranged component by which an arrangement | positioning component is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the screw component which is an example of the arrangement | positioning components arrange | positioned at a to-be-arranged component. It is a figure which shows an example of the geometric information memorize | stored in a shape data memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of the search formula information produced by the search formula production part. It is a figure which shows an example of the search result narrowed down by the search formula whose conditions of search formula information are "1". It is a figure which shows an example of the search result searched with the search formula whose conditions of search formula information are "2." It is a figure which shows an example of the search result list | wrist produced | generated by the search part. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection candidate list display screen which displays the search result which a search result list shows. It is a figure which shows an example of the search result list initialized by the shape element selection part. It is a figure which shows an example of the geometric information to which the geometric information of the 2nd figure element was added. It is a figure which shows an example of the 1st search expression information produced by the shape element selection part. It is a figure which shows an example of the 2nd search formula information produced by the shape element selection part. It is a figure which shows an example of the 3rd search expression information produced by the shape element selection part. It is a figure which shows an example of the search result narrowed down by the search formula whose conditions of 1st search formula information are "1". It is a figure which shows an example of the search result searched with the search formula whose conditions of 1st search formula information are "2." It is a figure which shows an example of the search result searched with the search formula whose conditions of 2nd search formula information are "2." It is a figure which shows an example of the search result searched with the search formula of 3rd search formula information. It is a figure which shows an example of the search result list | wrist produced | generated by the search part. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection candidate list display screen which displays the search result which a search result list shows. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the 1st element search process which a graphic element selection apparatus performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the 2nd element search process which a graphic element selection apparatus performs.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a graphic element selection apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The graphic element selection method according to the present invention is executed by the graphic element selection apparatus 1. The graphic element selection device 1 is configured by, for example, a computer system, and includes a shape data storage device 11, a shape data reading unit 12, a shape data storage unit 13, a screen output device 14, a dialog input device 15, a shape element selection unit 16, and an arrangement component. A selection unit 17, a search basic formula storage device 18, a search basic formula reading unit 19, a search formula creation unit 20, a search unit 21, a search result storage unit 22, and a search result output device 23 are included.
The computer system constituting the graphic element selection device 1 includes a storage device, a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”), an input device, and an output device.
The storage device stores a control program executed by the CPU to control the graphic element selection device 1 and data used by the CPU to control the graphic element selection device 1, and the shape data storage device 11 and the search basics A formula storage device 18 is included. The CPU controls the screen output device 14, the dialog input device 15, and the search result output device 23 by executing a control program stored in the storage device, and the shape data reading unit 12, the shape data storage unit 13, the shape element The functions of the selection unit 16, the arrangement part selection unit 17, the search basic formula reading unit 19, the search formula creation unit 20, the search unit 21, and the search result storage unit 22 are realized. Each function can write data to the storage device and read data stored in the storage device.
The input device is a device for inputting information, and is configured by a dialog input device 15 such as a keyboard or a mouse. The output device is a device that outputs information, and includes a screen output device 14 and a search result output device 23 that are configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The search result output device 23 may be shared by the screen output device 14.
The shape data storage device 11 stores design data related to products. The design data includes assembly data indicating the configuration of the product and part data indicating the parts constituting the product. The component data identifies a component name that is identification information for identifying each component, shape information that represents the shape of each component, geometric information that represents a graphic element that forms the shape of each component, and each graphic element. Data including graphic element identification information, for example, an element name.
The shape data reading unit 12 reads design data from the shape data storage device 11 and sends the read design data to the shape data storage unit 13. The shape data storage unit 13 which is a graphic element storage means and a graphic element storage unit stores design data received from the shape data reading unit 12 in the storage device, and stores the shape indicated by the design data stored in the storage device in the screen output device 14. It is possible to output.
The dialogue input device 15 allows the user to select a part name of a part to be placed on the placement object on which the part is placed, and a graphic element that configures the shape of the placed part at the position to place the part name. The input device inputs an element name of a selected graphic element as selected element information. Further, the dialog input device 15 inputs the selected information by selecting any information by the dialog input device 15 in response to the information displayed on the screen output device 14 or the search result output device 23. Can do. The dialogue input device 15 sends the selected selection element information to the shape element selection unit 16 and sends the inputted part name to the arrangement component selection unit 17.
When the shape element selection unit 16 receives the selection element information from the dialogue input device 15, the geometric element of the graphic element indicated by the selection element information received from the dialogue input device 15 is obtained from the geometric information of the part data stored in the shape data storage unit 13. The geometric information is read, and the read geometric information is sent to the search formula creation unit 20. When the search result list is stored in the storage device, the selected element included in the search result list is read as the selected element information, and the geometric information of the graphic element indicated by the read selected element information is stored in the shape data storage. The geometric information read out from the unit 13 is sent to the search formula creation unit 20 together with the geometric information of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information received from the dialogue input device 15.
The search result list is a list that summarizes the search results searched according to the search condition of the search expression described later, and includes a selection element and a placement part name. The selection element is selection element information input from the dialog input device 15, and the arrangement component name is the component name input from the dialog input device 15. The dialog input device 15 and the shape element selection unit 16 are graphic element selection means and second graphic element selection means.
The arrangement component selection unit 17 sends the component name received from the dialogue input device 15 to the retrieval basic expression reading unit 19. When the search result list is stored in the storage device, the arrangement part name included in the search result list is read as a part name, and the read basic name is read instead of the part name received from the dialog input device 15 Send to part 19.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of basic search formula information 31 stored in the basic search formula storage device 18. The basic search expression storage device 18 as search condition information storage means stores basic search expression information 31 shown in FIG. The basic search information 31 that is search condition information is information representing a predetermined search condition including a positional relationship for searching for graphic elements in which parts having the same shape are arranged. The search basic formula information 31 includes items of “part name”, “element type”, “meaning of search formula”, “search formula”, “condition”, and “number of elements”, and is associated with each part name. It is shown in the order of “No”.
“Part name” is identification information for identifying each part, and includes, for example, a part name such as a screw or a boss. The “element type” is information indicating the type of graphic element that forms the shape of the part indicated by the part name. For example, there is an element type such as “circle” or “arc”. “Meaning of search expression” is information indicating the meaning of the search expression to be associated. “Search expression” is an expression indicating a search condition. “Condition” is information that specifies whether or not to exclude from the selection candidates when the search condition indicated by the corresponding search expression is not met. When the condition is “1”, it is excluded from the selection candidates, and when the condition is “2”, it is not excluded from the selection candidates. The “number of elements” is the number of graphic elements indicated by the selected element information and the selected element information input from the dialogue input device 15.
No. 1-No. In any of 11, “part name” is “screw” and “element type” is “arc”. No. 1 "meaning of search expression" and "search expression" are "same radius" and "R1 = R", respectively, and the search condition indicated by the search expression is that the radius R of the graphic element of the selection candidate is selected element information Alternatively, the condition is that the selected element information is equal to the radius R1 of the graphic element indicated by the element information.
As described above, the shape of the graphic element is a circular or arc shape, and the predetermined search condition is that the radius of the shape of the graphic element candidate is equal to the radius of the shape of the first graphic element. Therefore, a graphic element having a circle or arc shape with the same radius can be selected as a candidate.
No. 2 "meaning of search expression" and "search expression" are respectively "same normal direction of plane with arc edge" and "F1", and the search condition indicated by the search expression is an arc of the graphic element of the selection candidate Indicates that the direction of the normal of the virtual plane including the same direction as the direction of the normal of the virtual plane including the arc of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information or the selected element information.
As described above, the predetermined search condition is that the direction of the normal line of the virtual plane including the candidate graphic element is the same as the direction of the normal line of the virtual plane including the first graphic element. Furthermore, since it includes, it is possible to select a graphic element having the same normal direction of a virtual plane including the graphic element as a candidate.
No. 3 is “on the same plane” and “Z0 = Z”, respectively, and the search condition indicated by the search expression is that the value Z of the Z coordinate of the graphic element of the selection candidate is This indicates that the condition is that the selected element information or the selected element information is equal to the Z coordinate value Z0 of the graphic element indicated by the element information. No. 4 "meaning of search expression" and "search expression" are "X coaxial" and "Y0 = Y", respectively, and the search condition indicated by the search expression is that the value Y of the Y coordinate of the graphic element of the selection candidate is It indicates that the condition is equal to the Y coordinate value Y0 of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information or the selected element information. No. 5 "meaning of search expression" and "search expression" are "Y coaxial" and "X0 = X", respectively, and the search condition indicated by the search expression is that the value X of the X coordinate of the graphic element of the selection candidate is This indicates that the condition is that the X element value X0 of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information or the selected element information is equal.
No. 6 is “XZ plane symmetry” and “Y0 = (− 1) × Y”, respectively, and the search condition indicated by the search expression is Y of the selection candidate graphic element. The coordinate value Y and the Y coordinate value Y0 of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information or the selected element information indicate that the absolute values are equal and the signs are opposite. In FIG. 2, “× (multiply)” is represented by “*”. The same applies to the following figures. No. 7 is “YZ plane symmetry” and “X0 = (− 1) × X”, respectively. The search condition indicated by the search expression is X of the graphic element of the selection candidate. The coordinate value X and the X-coordinate value X0 of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information or the selected element information indicate that the absolute values are equal and the signs thereof are opposite.
In this way, the predetermined search condition is that when the position of the center of the graphic element is expressed in the XYZ coordinate system with the position of the center of gravity of the placement object as the origin, one coordinate axis among the X coordinate axis, the Y coordinate axis, and the Z coordinate axis The graphic element at the coaxial or plane-symmetrical position further includes a condition that the absolute value of the coordinate of the center position of the graphic element candidate is equal to the absolute value of the coordinate of the central position of the first graphic element. Elements can be selected as candidates.
No. “Meaning of search formula” and “search formula” of 8 are “having a center point on an axis passing through the center of the first element and parallel to the edge of the plane on which the first element rides” and “F2”, respectively. The search condition indicated by the search formula is that when the coordinates of the graphic element to be selected represent the position of the center of the graphic element in the XYZ coordinate system, and the origin of the XYZ coordinate system is the position of the center of gravity of the arrangement object In other words, one of the X coordinate axis, the Y coordinate axis, and the Z coordinate axis is a condition that the graphic element is equal to the absolute value of the coordinates of the center position of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information.
As described above, when the predetermined search condition is that the surface including the first graphic element among the surfaces constituting the surface of the object to be arranged includes a straight outer peripheral edge, Since it further includes a condition that the distance between the first straight line and the center of the graphic element candidate is equal to the distance between the first straight line and the center of the first graphic element, A graphic element centered at the same distance from the outer periphery can be selected as a candidate.
No. 9 "meaning of search expression" and "search expression" are "having a center point on the axis passing through the center point of the first and second elements" and "F3", respectively, and the search condition indicated by the search expression Indicates that the condition is that the center of the graphic element of the selection candidate is on a straight line passing through the center of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information and the center of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information.
Thus, the predetermined search condition further includes a condition that the center of the graphic element candidate is on a straight line passing through the center of the first graphic element and the center of the second graphic element. A graphic element having a center on the same straight line as the center of two already selected graphic elements can be selected as a candidate.
No. 10 "meaning of search expression" and "search expression" are respectively "having a center point on an axis perpendicular to a straight line connecting the centers of the first and second elements and passing through the first or second center" and The search condition indicated by the search formula is “F4”, and the center of the graphic element of the selection candidate is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information and the center of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information. And the condition is that it is on a straight line passing through the center of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information or the center of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information.
Thus, the predetermined search condition is that the center of the graphic element candidate is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center of the first graphic element and the center of the second graphic element, and the first graphic element. Since it further includes a condition that it is on a straight line passing through the center of the element or the second graphic element, a straight line that is perpendicular to the straight line passing through the center of the two already selected graphic elements and passes through the center of any graphic A graphic element with the center on top can be selected as a candidate.
No. 11 "meaning of search expression" and "search expression" are "having a center point on the circumference passing through the centers of the first, second, and third arcs" and "F5", respectively. The search condition shown is that the center of the graphic element of the selection candidate is on the circumference passing through the center of the graphic element indicated by the selected element information and the center of each of the two graphic elements indicated by the selected two element information. Indicates that this is a condition.
In this way, the first graphic element and the second graphic element can be selected from among the element names displayed by the dialog input device 15 and the shape element selection unit 16 so as to be selectable by the search result storage unit 22 and the search result output device 23. A third element name different from the element name of the graphic element is further selected. The third graphic indicated by the third element name selected by the dialog input device 15 and the shape element selection unit 16 among the geometric information stored in the shape data storage unit 13 by the search formula creation unit 20 and the search unit 21 A component having the same shape as the component arranged at the position of the first graphic element is arranged based on the geometric information of the element, the first graphic element and the second graphic element, and the predetermined search condition. Candidate graphic elements to be searched are searched. The predetermined search condition is that the center of the graphic element candidate is on a circumference passing through the center of the first graphic element, the center of the second graphic element, and the center of the third graphic element. It further includes the condition of being.
Therefore, a graphic element having a center on the same circumference as the center of three graphic elements that have already been selected can be selected as a candidate.
No. 1-No. No. 3 “condition” is “1”. 4 to No. The “condition” of 11 is “2”. No. 1-No. The “number of elements” of No. 8 is “1”. 9 and no. The “number of elements” of No. 10 is “2”. The number of elements of “11” is “3”. No. 2 to No. The search formula 11 is a search condition that defines the positional relationship.
With reference to FIG. 1, the retrieval basic expression reading unit 19 searches the retrieval basic expression information 31 stored in the retrieval basic expression storage device 18 in association with the component name received from the arrangement component selecting unit 17. Basic formula information is read, and the retrieved basic search formula information is sent to the search formula creation unit 20. The search formula creation unit 20 creates search formula information based on the geometric information received from the shape element selection unit 16 and the search basic formula information received from the search basic formula reading unit 19, and the created search formula information is stored in the search unit. Send to 21.
The search unit 21 searches the geometric information of the part data stored in the shape data storage unit 13 using the search formula information received from the search formula creation unit 20 as a search condition, and finds the graphic element of the geometric information that matches the search condition. Extract and calculate the number of search conditions that match the extracted graphic elements. Then, a search result list is generated based on the extracted element name of the graphic element and the number of matching search conditions, and the generated search result list is sent to the search result storage unit 22. The search formula creation unit 20 and the search unit 21 are search means.
The search result storage unit 22 stores the search result list received from the search unit 21 in the storage device and sends the search result list to the search result output device 23. The search result output device 23 outputs the search result list received from the search result storage unit 22 to a selection candidate list display screen described later. The search result storage unit 22 and the search result output device 23 are display means.
That is, the user uses the dialogue input device 15 to place the part name of the part to be placed on the placement object and the first graphic element to place the part with the part name among the graphic elements constituting the shape of the placement object. When an element name (hereinafter referred to as “first graphic element”), that is, selected element information is input, the graphic element selecting device 1 selects the component and the component based on the component name and the element name input by the dialogue input device 15. A candidate of a second graphic element (hereinafter referred to as “second graphic element”) in which a part having the same part name, that is, a part having the same shape is searched as a selection candidate and displayed on the search result output device 23.
Next, when the user selects the element name of the second graphic element from the selection candidates of the second graphic element displayed on the search result output device 23 by the dialogue input device 15, the graphic element selecting device 1 is The same as the above part based on the element name of the first graphic element previously input, that is, the element name indicated by the selected element information, and the element name of the second graphic element selected by the dialog input device 15 A part having a part name, that is, a third graphic element candidate in which a part having the same shape is arranged is searched as a selection candidate and displayed on the search result output device 23.
Further, every time the user selects a graphic element from the selection candidates displayed on the search result output device 23 by the dialog input device 15, the graphic element selection device 1 and the element name indicated by the selected element information Based on the element name of the graphic element newly selected by the dialog input device 15, the next graphic element candidate is searched as a selection candidate and displayed on the search result output device 23.
3A and 3B are views showing the appearance of a cover component 8 that is an example of a placement component on which the placement component is placed. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the cover part 8, and FIG. 3B is a view showing a part of the parts constituting the cover part 8. Ten holes are formed in the component 8a, and two holes are formed in the component 8b. FIG. 3A shows 24 edges 1 to 24 as graphic elements constituting the shapes of these 12 holes.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a screw component 9 that is an example of a placement component placed on the placement target component. The user inputs the element name of the graphic element forming the hole into which the screw part 9 is inserted among the 12 holes of the cover part 8 by the dialogue input device 15.
Hereinafter, as a specific example of the operation of the graphic element selection device 1, when the screw part 9 shown in FIG. 4 is arranged on the cover part 8 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the second graphic element selection candidate is searched. A description will be given in the order of searching for selection candidates for the third graphic element.
First, in the search for selection candidates for the second graphic element, the user inputs “cover” as the placement object and “screw” as the component to be placed on the placement object by the dialogue input device 15. These parts names may be input by displaying the part name candidates on the screen output device 14 and selecting them from the displayed part name candidates. Further, the user inputs the element name of the first graphic element in which the screw component 9 is arranged among the graphic elements constituting the shape of the cover component 8, that is, the edges 1 to 24, for example, “edge 1”. The input of the element name is based on the design data stored in the shape data storage unit 13 and the shape of the placement object including the graphic elements is displayed on the screen output device 14 and the graphic elements are displayed from the displayed graphic elements. The element name may be input by selecting.
The dialog input device 15 sends the input element name, that is, the selected element information “edge 1” to the shape element selection unit 16, and sends the input component name “screw” to the arrangement component selection unit 17. When receiving the selected element information “Edge 1” from the dialog input device 15, the shape element selecting unit 16 receives the selected element information “Edge 1” received from the dialog input device 15 from the geometric information stored in the shape data storage unit 13. , And sends the read geometric information to the search expression creation unit 20.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the geometric information 32 stored in the shape data storage unit 13. The geometric information 32 includes items of “element name”, “element type”, “radius”, “center coordinates”, and “normal vector”. “Element name” is the name of a graphic element. The “element type” indicates the type of graphic element, and specifically, for example, “circle” or “arc”. “Radius” is the shape of a graphic element, that is, the radius of a circle or arc, and “center coordinate” is a coordinate indicating the position of the center of the circle or arc in the XYZ coordinate system. The “normal vector” is a coordinate indicating the direction of a vector indicating the direction of the normal of the virtual plane including the circle or arc in the XYZ coordinate system.
FIG. 5 shows geometric information 32 of the graphic element “edge 1”, the element name is “edge 1”, the element type is “arc”, the radius is “R1”, and the center coordinate is “ (X0, Y0, Z0) "and the normal vector is" (X1, Y1, Z1) ".
The arrangement component selection unit 17 sends the component name “screw” received from the dialogue input device 15 to the retrieval basic expression reading unit 19. The retrieval basic expression reading unit 19 retrieves retrieval basic expression information associated with the component name “screw” received from the arrangement component selecting unit 17 from the retrieval basic expression information 31 stored in the retrieval basic expression storage device 18. The retrieved basic formula information is sent to the search formula creation unit 20. The search formula creation unit 20 creates search formula information based on the geometric information received from the shape element selection unit 16 and the search basic formula information received from the search basic formula reading unit 19, and the created search formula information is stored in the search unit. Send to 21.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the search formula information 33 created by the search formula creation unit 20. The search formula information 33 includes items of “element type”, “geometric information”, “search formula”, and “condition”. “Element type”, “search formula” and “condition” are “element type”, “search formula” and “condition” of the basic search formula information received from the basic search formula reading unit 19, respectively, and “geometric information” Is information defining a search expression among pieces of information on the geometric information received from the shape element selection unit 16.
In the search formula information 33 shown in FIG. 6, seven combinations are shown as “element type”, “geometric information”, “search formula”, and “condition”. The first combination is “arc”, “R1”, “R1 = R” and “1”, and the second combination is “arc”, “X1, Y1, Z1”, “F1” and “1”, the third combination is “arc”, “Z0”, “Z0 = Z” and “1”, and the fourth combination is “arc”, “Y0”, “Y0” = Y "and" 2 ", the fifth combination is" arc "," X0 "," X0 = X "and" 2 ", and the sixth combination is" arc "," Y0 ”,“ Y0 = (− 1) × Y ”and“ 2 ”, and the seventh combination is“ Arc ”,“ X0 ”,“ X0 = (− 1) × X ”and“ 2 ” The eighth combination is “arc”, “X0, Y0, Z0”, “F2” and “2”.
First, the search unit 21 searches the geometric information stored in the shape data storage unit 13 using “arc” in the search formula information 33 received from the search formula creation unit 20 as a search condition, and finds a geometry that matches the search condition. Extract graphic elements of information. Since the cover part 8 has 24 edges 1 to 24 as circular graphic elements, the search unit 21 searches for the edges 1 to 24, but since the edge 1 has already been selected, the edge 1 is excluded. Edges 2 to 24 are extracted. Next, the search unit 21 narrows down the extracted graphic elements using a search expression whose condition is “1”.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result 34 narrowed down by a search formula whose condition of the search formula information 33 is “1”. FIG. 7 shows the search formulas of the search formula information 33 for 23 graphic elements of edges 2 to 24 excluding the already selected edge 1 among the graphic elements extracted under the condition of “arc”. The first search expression “R1 = R”, that is, “the same radius”, the second search expression “F1”, that is, “the same normal direction of the plane with the arc edge”, and the third search expression “Z0 = The search results are shown by sequentially narrowing down according to the search condition “Z”, that is, “on the same plane”. The “◯” mark indicates that the search condition is met, and the “X” mark indicates that the search condition is not met and is excluded.
The search unit 21 excludes the edges 5 to 10 and the edges 15 to 20 under the search condition “same radius”, and from the remaining conditions under the search condition “same normal direction of the plane with the arc edge” In the search condition “on the same plane” excluding the edges 11 to 14 and the edges 21 to 24, there is nothing to exclude from the remaining ones. Accordingly, the search unit 21 excludes the edges 5 to 24 and leaves the edges 2 to 4 as a result of narrowing down by the search formula having the condition “1”.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result 34 that is searched with a search formula whose condition of the search formula information 33 is “2”. The search unit 21 searches for a graphic element that matches the search condition of the search expression whose condition is “2” after the narrowing down by the search expression whose condition of the search expression information 33 is “1”, and the number of matching search conditions Is counted for each graphic element.
FIG. 8 shows the search formulas of the search formula information 33 for seven graphic elements of the graphic element edges 2 to 4 and edges 7 to 10 narrowed down by the search formula of the search formula information 33 being “1”. The first search expression “Y0 = Y”, that is, “X coaxial”, the second search expression “X0 = X”, that is, “Y coaxial”, and the third search expression “Y0 = (− 1) × Y ”Or“ XZ plane symmetry ”, the fourth search expression“ X0 = (− 1) × X ”or“ YZ plane symmetry ”, and the fifth search expression“ F2 ”or“ through the center of the first element ” A search result is shown in which a graphic element matching the search condition “having a center point on an axis parallel to the edge of the plane on which the first element rides” is shown. “◯” indicates that the search condition is met, and no mark indicates that the search condition is not met. The numbers shown outside the column are the number of matching search conditions counted for each graphic element.
The edge 4 matches the search condition “X coaxial”, the edge 2 matches the search condition “Y coaxial”, and the search condition “XZ plane symmetry” The edge 2 that matches the search condition “YZ plane symmetry” is the edge 4, and “the center point is on an axis passing through the center of the first element and parallel to the edge of the plane on which the first element rides. There is no graphic element that matches the search condition of “having”. Accordingly, the number of matching search conditions is “2” for the

edges

2 and 4 and “0” for the

edges

3 and 7 to 10.
When the search by the search expression having the condition “2” is completed, the search unit 21 searches based on the element names of the graphic elements narrowed down by the search expression having the condition “1” and the number of matching search conditions. A list is generated, and the generated search result list is sent to the search result storage unit 22. The search result storage unit 22 stores the search result list received from the search unit 21 in the storage device, edits the search result list, and specifically sorts the search result list by the number of matching search conditions and outputs the search result. It is sent to the device 23 for display.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the search result list 36 generated by the search unit 21. The search result list 36 includes items of “placed part name”, “selected element”, “search list”, and “number of matches”. The “placed part name” is a part name input by the dialogue input device 15. “Selected element”, an element name input by the dialogue input device 15, that is, selected element information, or an element name indicated by selected element information. “Search list” is an element name of a graphic element narrowed down by a search formula having a condition of “1”. “Number of matches” is the number of search conditions that match.
In the search result list 36 shown in FIG. 9, the arrangement part name “screw.PRT” and the selection element “edge 1” are shown, and seven combinations are shown as the search list and the number of matches. “Edge 2” and “2” as the first combination, “Edge 3” and “2” as the second combination, “Edge 4” and “0” as the third combination, “Edge 7” and “0” as the fifth combination, “Edge 8” and “0” as the fifth combination, “Edge 9” and “0” as the sixth combination, “Edge 10” and “0” are shown as combinations.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the selection candidate list display screen 51 that displays the search results indicated by the search result list 36. The search result storage unit 22 rearranges the search result list received from the search unit 21 in an order having a large number of matches, sends it to the search result output device 23 as a selection candidate list, and outputs it as a selection candidate list display screen 51.
The selection candidate list display screen 51 is provided with a title “selection candidate list”, a selection candidate display field 511, a scroll button 512, a selection button 513, and a selection cancel button 514. In the selection candidate display field 511, the element names of the search list are displayed together with the element types in the order of the number of matches.
The scroll button 512 is an operation button for displaying element names that cannot be displayed in the selection candidate display field 511. The selection button 513 is an operation button for selecting, from among the element names displayed in the selection candidate display field 511, a graphic element that places a part having the same part name as the part name input by the dialog input device 15. . The selection cancel button 514 is an operation button for canceling the selection of the graphic element and closing the selection candidate list display screen 51. The operation button can be operated, for example, by moving a pointer displayed on the screen to the position of the operation button with a mouse and left-clicking the mouse.
The selection candidate display field 511 shown in FIG. 10 includes an “arc (EDGE2: SU)” representing edge 2, an “arc (EDGE4: SU)” representing edge 4, an “arc (EDGE3: SU” representing edge 3, an edge An “arc (EDGE7: SU)” representing 7 and an “arc (EDGE8: SU)” representing edge 8 are shown.
Next, in the search for the selection candidate of the third graphic element, the arrangement part selection unit 17 selects “screw” of the arrangement part name “screw.PRT” in the search result list stored in the storage device by the search result storage unit 22. As the part name, and the read part name “screw” is sent to the retrieval basic expression reading unit 19. Upon receiving the selected element information “Edge 2” from the dialog input device 15, the shape element selecting unit 16 selects the element name “Edge 1” of the selected element in the search result list stored in the storage device by the search result storage unit 22. Read as completed element information.
When the user selects the element name “edge 2” as the second graphic element from the selection candidates of the second graphic element on the selection candidate list display screen 51 shown in FIG. 10, the dialog input device 15 selects The element name “Edge 2” is sent to the shape element selection unit 16 as selection element information.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the search result list 37 initialized by the shape element selection unit 16. When the shape element selection unit 16 receives the element name “edge 2” as selection element information from the dialog input device 15, the selection element information received from the dialog input device 15 is selected as the selection element of the search result list stored in the storage device. “Edge 2” is added and the search list and the number of matches in the search result list are deleted. The search result list 37 shown in FIG. 11 shows the arrangement part name “screw.PRT” and the selection elements “edge 1” and “edge 2”, and the search list and the number of matches are blank.
Then, the shape element selection unit 16 selects the selected element information “edge 1” read from the storage device from the geometric information stored in the shape data storage unit 13 and the selected element information “edge” received from the dialogue input device 15. 2 ”is read, and the read geometric information is sent to the search expression creation unit 20.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the geometric information 38 to which the geometric information of the second graphic element is added. The geometric information 38 is information obtained by adding the geometric information of the selected element information “edge 2” received from the dialogue input device 15 by the second graphic element, that is, the shape element selecting unit 16 to the geometric information 32 shown in FIG. . The geometric information 38 shown in FIG. 12 includes an element type “arc”, a radius “R1”, a center coordinate “(X4, Y4, Z4)”, and a normal vector “(X5, 5) for the element name“ edge 2 ”. Y5, Z5) "is added.
The retrieval basic expression reading unit 19 reads out retrieval basic expression information associated with the component name “screw” received from the arrangement component selecting unit 17 from the retrieval basic expression information stored in the retrieval basic expression storage device 18. The read basic formula information is sent to the search formula creation unit 20. The search formula creating unit 20 creates search formula information based on the geometric information 38 received from the shape element selection unit 16 and the basic search formula information received from the basic search formula reading unit 19 and searches the created search formula information. Send to part 21. At this time, the search basic formula reading unit 19 creates first search formula information based on the geometric information of the edge 1 in the geometric information 38 as the search formula information having the number of elements “1”, and the geometric information The second search formula information is created based on the geometric information of edge 2 of 38, and further, the geometric information of edge 1 and edge 2 of geometric information 38 is used as search formula information with the number of elements being “2”. Based on the above, the third search expression information is created.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first search formula information 39 created by the shape element selection unit 16. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second search expression information 40 created by the shape element selection unit 16. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the third search expression information 41 created by the shape element selection unit 16.
The first search formula information 39 shown in FIG. 13 shows eight combinations as “element type”, “geometric information”, “search formula”, and “condition”. The first combination is “arc”, “R1”, “R1 = R” and “1”, and the second combination is “arc”, “X1, Y1, Z1”, “F1” and “1”, the third combination is “arc”, “Z0”, “Z0 = Z” and “1”, and the fourth combination is “arc”, “Y0”, “Y0” = Y "and" 2 ", the fifth combination is" arc "," X0 "," X0 = X "and" 2 ", and the sixth combination is" arc "," Y0 ”,“ Y0 = (− 1) × Y ”and“ 2 ”, and the seventh combination is“ Arc ”,“ X0 ”,“ X0 = (− 1) × X ”and“ 2 ” The eighth combination is “arc”, “X0, Y0, Z0”, “F2” and “2”.
In the second search formula information 40 shown in FIG. 14, eight combinations are shown as “element type”, “geometric information”, “search formula”, and “condition”. The first combination is “arc”, “R5”, “R5 = R” and “1”, and the second combination is “arc”, “X5, Y5, Z5”, “F1” and “1”, the third combination is “arc”, “Z4”, “Z4 = Z” and “1”, and the fourth combination is “arc”, “Y4”, “Y4” = Y "and" 2 ", the fifth combination is" arc "," X4 "," X4 = X "and" 2 ", and the sixth combination is" arc "," Y4 ”,“ Y4 = (− 1) × Y ”and“ 2 ”, and the seventh combination is“ Arc ”,“ X4 ”,“ X4 = (− 1) × X ”and“ 2 ” The eighth combination is “arc”, “X4, Y4, Z4”, “F2” and “2”.
In the third search formula information 41 shown in FIG. 15, three combinations are shown as “element type”, “geometric information”, “search formula”, and “condition”. The first combination is “arc”, “X0, Y0, Z0, X4, Y4, Z4”, “F3” and “2”, and the second combination is “arc”, “X0, Y0” , Z0, X4, Y4, Z4 "," F4 "and" 2 ".
The search unit 21 performs a search based on the first search formula information 39, the second search formula information 40, and the third search formula information 41 received from the search formula creation unit 20. A graphic element that matches the search condition is extracted from the expression information 39 using “arc” as a search condition, and then the condition of the search expression with the number of elements in the first search expression information 39 being “1” is “1”. The extracted graphic elements are narrowed down by the search expression “”.
Then, the search unit 21 searches for a graphic element that matches the search condition of the search expression whose condition is “2” among the search expressions whose number of elements in the first search expression information 39 is “1”, and the matching search condition Is counted for each graphic element. Further, a graphic element that matches the search condition of the search expression whose condition is “2” among the search expressions whose number of elements in the second search expression information 40 is “1” is searched, and the number of the matching search conditions is determined as a graphic element. Then, the graphic elements that match the search conditions of the search expression of the third search expression information 41 are searched, and the number of search conditions that match is counted for each graphic element.
Specifically, the search unit 21 first selects the geometry of the component data stored in the shape data storage unit 13 using “arc” in the first search formula information 39 received from the search formula creation unit 20 as a search condition. Information is searched, and graphic elements of geometric information that match the search conditions are extracted. Since the cover part 8 has 24 edges 1 to 24 as circular graphic elements, the search unit 21 searches for the edges 1 to 24, but since the

edges

1 and 2 are already selected, the edge 1 And edges 2 are excluded and edges 3 to 24 are extracted. Next, the search unit 21 narrows down the extracted graphic elements by the search formula whose condition is “1” in the first search formula information 39.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result 42 narrowed down by a search formula whose condition of the first search formula information 39 is “1”. FIG. 16 shows the first search formula information for 22 graphic elements of edges 3 to 24 excluding the already selected edge 1 and edge 2 among the graphic elements extracted under the condition of “arc”. The result narrowed down under condition 1 indicated by 39 is shown. The search result 42 shown in FIG. 16 is the same as the search result 34 shown in FIG. 7 excluding the item of edge 2, and the description thereof is omitted to avoid duplication.
The search unit 21 narrows down the graphic elements using the search formula whose condition indicated by the first search formula information 39 is “1”, and then searches for the search formula whose number of elements in the first search formula information 39 is “1”. Among them, a graphic element that matches the search condition of the search expression with the condition “2” is searched, and the number of search conditions that match is counted for each graphic element narrowed down by the search expression with the condition “1”.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result 43 searched by a search formula whose condition of the first search formula information 39 is “2”. The search unit 21 uses the first search formula information for the six graphic elements of the graphic element edges 3 and 4 and the edges 7 to 10 narrowed down by the search formula whose condition of the first search formula information 39 is “1”. Among the 39 search expressions, the first search expression “Y0 = Y”, that is, “X coaxial”, the second search expression “X0 = X”, that is, “Y coaxial”, and the third search expression “Y0 = (−1) × Y ”, that is,“ XZ plane symmetry ”, the fourth search expression“ X0 = (− 1) × X ”, that is,“ YZ plane symmetry ”, and the fifth search expression“ F2 ”, that is,“ th ” The search result is shown as a search condition that has a center point on an axis passing through the center of one element and parallel to the edge of the plane on which the first element rides. “◯” indicates that the search condition is met, and no mark indicates that the search condition is not met. The numbers shown outside the column are the number of matching search conditions counted for each graphic element.
The edge 4 matches the search condition “X coaxial”, and the edge 4 matches the search condition “YZ plane symmetry”. There is no graphic element that satisfies the search condition “having a center point on an axis passing through the center of one element and parallel to the edge of the plane on which the first element rides”. Therefore, the number of matching search conditions is “2” for edge 4 and “0” for

edges

3, 7 to 10.
Further, after the search unit 21 counts the number of search conditions that match the search condition of the search expression whose condition of the first search expression information 39 is “2”, the number of elements of the second search expression information 40 is “ The graphic element that matches the search condition of the search expression with the condition “2” among the search expressions of “1” is searched, and the number of matching search conditions is reduced for each graphic element narrowed down by the search expression with the condition “1”. To count.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result 44 searched by a search formula whose condition of the second search formula information 40 is “2”. The search unit 21 uses the second search formula information for the six graphic elements of the graphic element edges 3 and 4 and the edges 7 to 10 narrowed down by the search formula whose condition of the first search formula information 39 is “1”. Among the 40 search expressions, the first search expression “Y4 = Y”, that is, “X coaxial”, the second search expression “X4 = X”, that is, “Y coaxial”, and the third search expression “Y4 = (−1) × Y ”, that is,“ XZ plane symmetry ”, the fourth retrieval formula“ X4 = (− 1) × X ”, that is,“ YZ plane symmetry ”, and the fifth retrieval formula“ F2 ”, that is,“ th ” The search result is shown as a search condition that has a center point on an axis passing through the center of one element and parallel to the edge of the plane on which the first element rides. “◯” indicates that the search condition is met, and no mark indicates that the search condition is not met. The numbers shown outside the column are the number of matching search conditions counted for each graphic element.
The edge 3 matches the search condition “X coaxial”, and the edge 3 matches the search condition “YZ plane symmetry”, “Y coaxial”, “XZ plane symmetry”, There is no graphic element that satisfies the search condition “having a center point on an axis passing through the center of one element and parallel to the edge of the plane on which the first element rides”. Therefore, the number of matching search conditions is “2” for edge 3 and “0” for

edges

4, 7 to 10.
Further, the search unit 21 counts the number of search conditions that match the search condition of the search expression whose condition of the second search expression information 40 is “2”, and then searches for the search expression of the third search expression information 41. The graphic elements that match the conditions are searched, and the number of matching search conditions is counted for each graphic element that is narrowed down by the search expression with the condition “1”.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result 45 searched with the search formula of the third search formula information 41. For the six graphic elements of the graphic element edges 3 and 4 and the edges 7 to 10 narrowed down by the search formula whose condition of the first search formula information 39 is “1”, the search formula of the third search formula information 41 Of these, the first search expression “F3”, that is, “having a center point on the axis passing through the center points of the first and second elements”, and the second search expression “F4”, that is, “first, first The search result is shown as a result of the search condition that “the center point is on an axis that is perpendicular to the straight line connecting the centers of the two elements and passes through the first or second center”. “◯” indicates that the search condition is met, and no mark indicates that the search condition is not met. The numbers shown outside the column are the number of matching search conditions counted for each graphic element. The number of matching search conditions is “0” for all of the

edges

3, 4, 7 to 10.
When the search by the search formula of the third search formula information 41 is completed, the search unit 21 generates a search result list based on the search results 43 to 45 and sends the generated search result list to the search result storage unit 22. . The search result storage unit 22 stores the search result list received from the search unit 21 in the storage device, and edits the search result list and sends it to the search result output device 23 for output.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the search result list 46 generated by the search unit 21. The items included in the search result list 36 shown in FIG. 20 are the same items as the items in the search result list 36 shown in FIG. 9, and the description of the items is omitted to avoid duplication. In the search result list 36 shown in FIG. 20, the arrangement part name “screw.PRT” and the selection elements “edge 1” and “edge 2” are shown, and seven combinations are shown as the search list and the number of matches. Yes. The seven combinations are the same as the search list and the number of matches in the search result list 36 shown in FIG. 9, and a description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of the selection candidate list display screen 52 that displays the search results indicated by the search result list 46. The search result storage unit 22 rearranges the search result list 46 received from the search unit 21 in the order in which the number of matches is large, sends it to the search result output device 23 as a selection candidate list, and outputs it as a selection candidate list display screen 52. . The configuration and display contents of the selection candidate list display screen 52 are the same as the configuration and display contents of the selection candidate list display screen 51 shown in FIG. 10, and a description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication. The user can select the third graphic element from the selection candidates for the third graphic element on the selection candidate list display screen 52 shown in FIG.
As described above, the shape data storage unit 13 stores the geometric information representing the graphic elements constituting the shape of the object on which the part is arranged and the element names for identifying the graphic elements in association with each other, and searches them. The basic formula storage device 18 stores basic search formula information representing a predetermined search condition including a positional relationship for searching for graphic elements in which parts having the same shape are arranged. The dialog input device 15 and the shape element selection unit 16 are stored. Thus, the element name of the graphic element constituting the shape at the position where one part is arranged is selected from the element names stored in the shape data storage unit 13.
Then, the first graphic element indicated by the element name selected by the dialog input device 15 and the shape element selection unit 16 among the geometric information stored in the shape data storage unit 13 by the search formula creation unit 20 and the search unit 21 A component having the same shape as the component arranged at the position of the first graphic element is arranged based on the geometric information of the first graphic element and a predetermined search condition indicated by the basic search formula information stored in the basic search formula storage device 18. The candidate of the graphic element to be searched is searched, and the search result storage unit 22 and the search result output device 23 display the selectable element names of the graphic elements searched by the search formula creation unit 20 and the search unit 21 in a selectable manner. .
Therefore, candidates for graphic elements in which parts having the same shape are arranged can be narrowed down by the condition including the positional relationship from among the graphic elements constituting the shape of the placement object on which the parts are arranged.
Further, among the element names displayed so as to be selectable by the search result storage unit 22 and the search result output unit 23 by the dialog input device 15 and the shape element selection unit 16, a different one from the element name of the first graphic element. 2 is selected, and the second selected from the geometric information stored in the shape data storage unit 13 by the search formula creation unit 20 and the search unit 21 is selected by the dialog input device 15 and the shape element selection unit 16. Based on the second graphic element indicated by the element name and the geometric information of the first graphic element and the predetermined search condition, a component having the same shape as the component arranged at the position of the first graphic element is obtained. Candidate graphic elements to be placed are searched. Therefore, the third graphic element candidate can be searched based on the two graphic elements.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the first element search process executed by the graphic element selection device 1. For example, when a function for selecting a graphic element is selected from the main menu displayed on the screen output device 14, the process proceeds to step A1.
In step A1, an arrangement component is selected. Specifically, when the user selects and inputs a part name of a part to be placed, that is, a part to be placed on the placement object, using the dialogue input device 15, the placement part selection unit 17 searches the input part name for the basic expression. The data is sent to the reading unit 19. In step A2, which is a graphic element selection step, an arrangement reference element is selected. Specifically, among the graphic elements constituting the shape of the placement object by the dialog input device 15, the layout reference element for placing the part having the part name input earlier, that is, the element name of the first graphic element Is input, the shape element selection unit 16 reads the geometric information of the first graphic element indicated by the input element name from the geometric information stored in the shape data storage unit 13, and creates a retrieval formula for the read geometric information. Send to part 20.
In step A3, the presence / absence of a basic search expression is determined. In the basic search expression unit 19, basic search formula information 31 associated with the part name received from the arrangement part selection unit 17 is stored in the basic search information 31 stored in the basic search storage device 18. Then, it is determined that there is a basic search formula, and the process proceeds to Step A4. If the basic search formula information 31 associated with the component name received from the placement component selection unit 17 is not stored in the basic search formula information 31 stored in the basic search formula storage device 18, there is no basic search formula. The first element search process is terminated.
In step A4, the basic retrieval formula is read. Specifically, the retrieval basic expression reading unit 19 reads out retrieval basic expression information associated with the component name received from the arrangement component selection unit 17 from the retrieval basic expression storage device 18, and the retrieved retrieval basic expression information. Is sent to the search expression creation unit 20. In step A5, a search formula is created. Specifically, the search formula creation unit 20 creates search formula information based on the geometric information received from the shape element selection unit 16 and the search basic formula information received from the search basic formula reading unit 19, and the created search The formula information is sent to the search unit 21.
In step A6, a search is performed. Specifically, the search unit 21 searches the geometric information stored in the shape data storage unit 13 using the search formula information received from the search formula creation unit 20 as a search condition, and the geometric information figure that matches the search condition. Elements are extracted, and the number of search conditions that match the extracted graphic elements is calculated. Then, a search result list is generated based on the extracted element name of the graphic element and the number of matching search conditions, and the generated search result list is sent to the search result storage unit 22. Steps A4 to A6 are search steps.
In step A7, which is a display step, the search result is displayed and the first element search process is terminated. Specifically, the search result storage unit 22 stores the search result list received from the search unit 21 in the storage device, and edits the search result list and sends it to the search result output device 23 to display the selection candidate list. The screen is output as a screen, and the first element search process is terminated.
In this way, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 22, in step A2, the geometric information representing the graphic element that forms the shape of the placement object on which the part is arranged is associated with the element name for identifying the graphic element. The element name of the graphic element constituting the shape at the position where one part is arranged is selected from the element names stored in the shape data storage unit 13 stored. In steps A4 to A6, the geometric information of the first graphic element indicated by the element name selected in step A2 among the geometric information stored in the shape data storage unit 13 and the graphic element in which a part having the same shape is arranged. Based on a predetermined search condition including a positional relationship for searching, a graphic element candidate in which a part having the same shape as the part arranged at the position of the first graphic element is searched. In step A7, the candidate element names of graphic elements searched in steps A4 to A6 are displayed so as to be selectable.
Therefore, if the graphic element selection method according to the present invention is applied, candidates for graphic elements in which parts having the same shape are arranged among the graphic elements constituting the shape of the placement object in which the parts are arranged are included in the positional relationship. It can be narrowed down by conditions.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the second element search processing executed by the graphic element selection device 1. When the first element search process ends, the process proceeds to step B1.
In step B1, an arrangement part is read. Specifically, the arrangement part selection unit 17 reads the arrangement part name in the search result list stored in the storage device by the search result storage unit 22 as the part name, and sends the read part name to the search basic expression reading unit 19. . In step B2, an arrangement reference element is read. Specifically, the shape element selection unit 16 reads the element name of the selected element in the search result list stored in the storage device by the search result storage unit 22 as an arrangement reference element, that is, selected element information.
In step B3, an arrangement reference element is selected. Specifically, when the user selects the element name of the second graphic element from the selection candidates of the second graphic element on the selection candidate list display screen 51 shown in FIG. The element name of the selected element in the search result list stored in the storage device is read as selected element information. The shape element selection unit 16 then selects the selected element information read from the storage device from the geometric information stored in the shape data storage unit 13 and the geometry of the graphic element indicated by the selection element information received from the dialogue input device 15. The information is read, and the read geometric information is sent to the search formula creation unit 20.
In step B4, the presence / absence of a basic search expression is determined. In the basic search expression unit 19, basic search formula information 31 associated with the part name received from the arrangement part selection unit 17 is stored in the basic search information 31 stored in the basic search storage device 18. Then, it is determined that there is a basic search formula, and the process proceeds to Step B5. If the basic search formula information 31 associated with the component name received from the placement component selection unit 17 is not stored in the basic search formula information 31 stored in the basic search formula storage device 18, there is no basic search formula. The second element search process is terminated.
In step B5, the basic search formula is read. Specifically, the retrieval basic expression reading unit 19 reads out retrieval basic expression information associated with the component name received from the arrangement component selection unit 17 from the retrieval basic expression storage device 18, and the retrieved retrieval basic expression information. Is sent to the search expression creation unit 20. In step B6, a search expression is created. Specifically, the search formula creation unit 20 creates search formula information based on the geometric information received from the shape element selection unit 16 and the search basic formula information received from the search basic formula reading unit 19, and the created search The formula information is sent to the search unit 21.
In step B7, a search is performed. Specifically, the search unit 21 searches the geometric information of the part data stored in the shape data storage unit 13 using the search formula information received from the search formula creation unit 20 as a search condition, and finds a geometry that matches the search condition. The graphic elements of information are extracted, and the number of search conditions that match the extracted graphic elements is calculated. Then, a search result list is generated based on the extracted element name of the graphic element and the number of matching search conditions, and the generated search result list is sent to the search result storage unit 22.
In step B8, the search result is displayed and the second element search process is terminated. Specifically, the search result storage unit 22 stores the search result list received from the search unit 21 in the storage device, and edits the search result list and sends it to the search result output device 23 to display the selection candidate list. The screen is output as a screen, and the second element search process is terminated.
The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is shown in the claims, and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Graphic element storage means for storing geometric information representing graphic elements constituting the shape of the placement object on which the parts are arranged and graphic element identification information for identifying the graphic elements in association with each other;
Search condition information storage means for storing search condition information representing a predetermined search condition including a positional relationship for searching for graphic elements in which parts having the same shape are arranged;
Graphic element selection means for selecting graphic element identification information of a graphic element constituting a shape at a position where one part is arranged from among graphic element identification information stored in the graphic element storage means;
The geometric information of the first graphic element indicated by the graphic element identification information selected by the graphic element selection means among the geometric information stored in the graphic element storage means, and the search condition stored in the search condition information storage means Search means for searching for a graphic element candidate in which a component having the same shape as the component arranged at the position of the first graphic element is based on a predetermined search condition indicated by the information;
A graphic element selection device comprising: display means for selectively displaying graphic element identification information of graphic element candidates retrieved by the retrieval means.
Second graphic element selection means for selecting second graphic element identification information different from the graphic element identification information of the first graphic element from graphic element identification information displayed in a selectable manner by the display means. Including
The search means includes the second graphic element indicated by the second graphic element identification information selected by the second graphic element selection means among the geometric information stored in the graphic element storage means, and the first graphic element. Searching for a graphic element candidate in which a part having the same shape as the part arranged at the position of the first graphic element is searched based on the geometric information of the graphic element and the predetermined search condition. The graphic element selection device according to claim 1.
The shape of the graphic element is a circular or arc shape,
3. The graphic element selection device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined search condition includes a condition that a radius of the shape of the graphic element candidate is equal to a radius of the shape of the first graphic element. 4. .
The predetermined search condition further includes a condition that a normal direction of a virtual plane including a candidate for a graphic element is the same as a normal direction of a virtual plane including the first graphic element. 4. The graphic element selection device according to claim 3, wherein
The predetermined search condition is that, when the position of the center of the graphic element is expressed in an XYZ coordinate system with the position of the center of gravity of the placement object as the origin, the graphic element is represented by one of the X coordinate axis, the Y coordinate axis, and the Z coordinate axis. 4. The graphic element selection device according to claim 3, further comprising a condition that the absolute value of the coordinates of the center position of the candidate is equal to the absolute value of the coordinates of the center position of the first graphic element. .
The predetermined search condition is that, when a surface including the first graphic element includes a straight outer peripheral edge among the surfaces constituting the surface of the placement object, the first straight line of the outer peripheral straight lines. 4. The graphic element selection according to claim 3, further comprising a condition that a distance between the first straight line and the center of the graphic element candidate is equal to a distance between the first straight line and the center of the first graphic element. apparatus.
The predetermined search condition further includes a condition that a center of a graphic element candidate is on a straight line passing through a center of the first graphic element and a center of the second graphic element. The graphic element selection device according to claim 3, according to item 2.
The predetermined search condition is that a graphic element candidate center is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center of the first graphic element and the center of the second graphic element, and the first graphic element or the first graphic element. The graphic element selection device according to claim 3, further comprising a condition of being on a straight line passing through the center of the two graphic elements.
The second graphic element selecting means is a third different from the graphic element identification information of the first graphic element and the second graphic element, out of graphic element identification information displayed so as to be selectable by the display means. Select more graphic element identification information,
The search means is a third graphic selected by the first graphic element, the second graphic element, and the second graphic element selection means among the geometric information stored in the graphic element storage means. Based on the geometric information of the third graphic element indicated by the element identification information and the predetermined search condition, the graphic element in which the part having the same shape as the part arranged at the position of the first graphic element is arranged. Search for suggestions,
The predetermined search condition is that the center of the graphic element candidate is on a circle passing through the center of the first graphic element, the center of the second graphic element, and the center of the third graphic element. The graphic element selection device according to claim 2, further comprising a condition.
Graphic element identification stored in a graphic element storage unit for storing geometric information representing graphic elements constituting the shape of an object on which a part is arranged and graphic element identification information for identifying the graphic elements in association with each other A graphic element selection step for selecting graphic element identification information of a graphic element constituting a shape at a position where one part is arranged from the information;
The geometric information stored in the graphic element storage unit is searched for the geometric element having the same shape as the geometric information of the first graphic element indicated by the graphic element identification information selected in the graphic element selection step. A search step of searching for a graphic element candidate in which a part having the same shape as the part arranged at the position of the first graphic element is based on a predetermined search condition including a positional relationship for
A graphic element selection method, comprising: a display step for selectively displaying graphic element identification information of graphic element candidates retrieved in the retrieval step.