Positioning features within the Rapid Design System

A method for representing and manipulating information on dimensioning and positioning within a feature-based environment for mechanical parts design is described. In the feature-based design paradigm, designs are constructed using form features which are high-level representations of part geometry, i.e. block, hole, slot, pocket, chamfer, fillet, etc. In the system discussed two modes of positioning form features are supported. The first is a layout mode, which allows the user to position form features relative to each other, in order to layout the general geometry of the part. The second is a dimensioning mode, in which the user specifies which dimensions on the part are critically important, and what they should be. The system completes the dimensioning on request, producing enough dimensions to generate an engineering drawing. >