Issues on Feature-Based Design Using a Hierarchical Data Scheme

Abstract

Computer-aided design based on the notion of features is currently being discussed as a means for better capturing the involved semantics, i.e. the designer’s intent. This paper proposes a hierarchical data scheme for feature-based design with particular emphasis on early phases of design, such as functional and conceptual design. The top level reflects the designer’s view on the function of a product part and consists of specifications of functional features. At the second level, features are usually defined as generic shape characteristics (distinguishable portions of a shape) which have no application-specific meaning and no presumptions to the kind of representation. The third level is concerned with the internal representation of features in different ways and their geometric evaluation using conventional geometric modeling techniques. The data relationships occurring in the scheme are performed by mappings in top-down and bottom-up fashion.