RECOGNIZING SHAPE-FEATURES IN SOLID MODELS

In this procedure for defining and recognizing shape features in 3D solid models, we define a shape feature as a single face or a set of contiguous faces possessing certain characteristic facts in topology and geometry. The system automatically extracts these facts from an exampie shape feature interactively indicated by the user. You can interactively edit and parameterize the resulting representation of the shape feature. Graph matching accomplishes feature recognition. The system searches the solid model for B-rep subgraphs with the same characteristic facts as the shape feature to be recognized. When the system recognizes a shape feature, it removes the geometry associated with the feature from the original solid model to produce a simpler solid model. It then examines the simpler solid model to determine if additional features have been revealed. The process repeats until no additional features are found. © 1990 IEEE