Interfacing product views through a mixed shape representation. Part 1: Data structures and operators

Currently, the product development process being collaborative and distributed, it relies on multiple skills and representations of the product. Obtaining the digital representation of the product model required for each product view is time consuming because component shapes and their associated data need to be adapted. In this part 1 paper, an analysis of the requirements for this shape adaptation process is performed that leads to the concepts and organization of the so-called mixed shape representation. Here, we show how BRep NURBS CAD models and polyhedral models combined with the concept of High Level Topology introduced enable the explicit and intrinsic description of the concepts needed to efficiently transform shapes between product views. A set of operators briefly outlined illustrates the effect of the proposed approach on the possibilities of shape transformations needed in product view interfaces. The corresponding examples demonstrate their efficiency.