Abstract
Freeform feature modeling is an extension to feature modeling in which, in addition to regular-shaped features, also freeform features are possible. Due to the large variety of freeform features, a generic approach to specify such features is required. This paper describes such an approach. A freeform feature class is specified by using a prototype and constraints. The latter are used to define intuitive parameters and validity conditions for the class. A new, prototype-driven constraint solving method is used to unambiguously determine a freeform feature during the specification both of a class and of an instance to be added to a model. The specication of freeform features and the prototype-driven constraint solving method are discussed. Several examples are given.
van den Berg E, van der Meiden HA, and Bronsvoort WF (2003), Specification of freeform features. In: Proceedings Solid Modeling '03, Eighth ACM Symposium on Solid Modeling and Applications, 16-20 June, Seattle, USA, Elber G and Shapiro V (eds). ACM Press, New York, pp. 56-64.