Abstract
One of the most powerful characteristics of feature-based modeling is the
ability to associate functional and engineering information to shape information
in a product model. Current feature modeling systems embody this paradigm in
their graphical user interfaces, providing the user with "engineering
rich" dialogs aimed at the creation of feature instances. Most systems,
however, fail to consistently maintain the meaning of the features throughout
the modeling process. For example, a modeling operation on one feature may
affect the semantics of other features without the user being notified by the
system, let alone assisted in overcoming the situation.
Semantic feature modeling is a declarative modeling approach that not only
provides a well-defined specification of feature semantics, but also effectively
maintains this semantics during the modeling process, for all feature instances
in the model. This paper describes the validity maintenance mechanisms of the
semantic feature modeling approach. These include (i) detecting each invalid
situation, (ii) reporting it to the user, with appropriate explanation on its
causes and effects, and (iii) providing the user with a convenient choice of
reaction hints, aimed at recovering validity in the model. An example modeling
session is also given, illustrating which high-level user assistance is provided
under this approach.
Bidarra R and Bronsvoort WF (1999), Validity maintenance of semantic feature models. In: Proceedings of Solid Modeling '99, Fifth ACM Symposium on Solid Modeling and Applications, 9-11 June, Ann Arbor, USA, Bronsvoort WF and Anderson DC (eds). ACM Press, New York, pp. 85-96.