Computer-Aided Design Synthesis Using Syntactic Solid Modeling

This paper presents a new Computer-Aided Design (CAD) synthesis model which uses Plex Grammar as structural relationship descriptors and NURBS surface representation for constructing standard and non-standard solid entities. Here, the designer uses a syntactic design methodology for early topological and geometrical definition of the structure of concept alternatives resulting from the design process. This syntactic scheme provides the capability of describing a large set of complex structures by using a small set of simple entities. The recursive nature of the grammar and the hierarchical representation of the structure makes the description of complex structures simple and under the direct control of the designer. An object structure constructive tree is generated and subsequently translated into Plex Grammar production rules in order to form an Interconnection Matrix (ICM) expressing. The resulting Plex structure defined in the ICM expresses the topological information among entities which form the specific types of objects. By modifying the Plex grammar rules, various objects with different geometry and topology can easily be reconstructed. Compared to conventional solid modeling techniques, this approach provides more systematic object generation, easy manipulation and modification, control over congruity and the ability to represent sculptured shapes. Several examples of syntactic solid modeling applied in design synthesis will be presented for further usage in downstream applications.