Collaborative Modeling With Features

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Bidarra ◽  
Eelco van den Berg ◽  
Willem F. Bronsvoort
Keyword(s):  
Feature Modeling ◽  
Feature Model ◽  
Model Specification ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Collaborative Modeling ◽  
Multiple User ◽  
Modeling Systems ◽  
The One ◽  
Research Challenge ◽  
Server Architecture

Abstract Collaborative systems are distributed multiple-user systems that are both concurrent and synchronized. An interesting research challenge is to develop a collaborative modeling system that offers all facilities of advanced modeling systems to its users, while at the same time providing them with the necessary coordination mechanisms that guarantee an effective collaboration. To achieve this, a web-based collaborative feature modeling system, webSPIFF, has been developed. It has a client-server architecture, with an advanced feature modeling system as a basis for the server, providing feature validation, multiple views and sophisticated visualization facilities. A good distribution of the functionality between the server and the clients has resulted in a well-balanced system. On the one hand, the server offers all the functionality of the original feature modeling system. On the other hand, all desirable interactive modeling functionality is offered by the clients, ranging from display of sophisticated feature model images to interactive model specification facilities. The architecture of webSPIFF, the distribution of model data, the functionality of the server and the clients, and the communication mechanisms are described. It is shown that a good compromise between interactivity and network load has been achieved, and that indeed advanced modeling with a collaborative system is feasible.

A Collaborative Feature Modeling System

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Bidarra ◽  
Eelco van den Berg ◽  
Willem F. Bronsvoort
Keyword(s):  
Feature Modeling ◽  
Feature Model ◽  
Model Specification ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Collaborative Modeling ◽  
Multiple User ◽  
Modeling Systems ◽  
The One ◽  
Research Challenge ◽  
Server Architecture

Collaborative systems are distributed multiple-user systems that are both concurrent and synchronized. An interesting research challenge is to develop a collaborative modeling system that offers all facilities of advanced modeling systems to its users, while at the same time providing them with the necessary coordination mechanisms that guarantee effective collaboration. To achieve this, a web-based collaborative feature modeling system, webSpiff, has been developed. It has a client-server architecture, with an advanced feature modeling system as a basis for the server, providing feature validation, multiple views and sophisticated visualization facilities. A careful distribution of the functionality between the server and the clients has resulted in a well-balanced system. On the one hand, the server offers all the functionality of the original feature modeling system. On the other hand, all desirable interactive modeling functionality is offered by the clients, ranging from display of feature model images to interactive model specification facilities. The architecture of webSpiff, the distribution of model data, the functionality of the server and the clients, and the communication mechanisms are described. It is shown that a good compromise between interactivity and network load has been achieved, and that indeed advanced feature modeling with a collaborative system is feasible.

Direct Manipulation of Feature Models in Web-Based Collaborative Design

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Bidarra ◽  
Andre´ van Bunnik ◽  
Willem F. Bronsvoort
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Feature Model ◽  
Feature Models ◽  
Direct Manipulation ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Web Based ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Client Server ◽  
Collaborative Modeling ◽  
Interactive Feature

Providing advanced 3D interactive facilities to users of a client-server collaborative modeling system presents a great challenge when thin clients are involved, mainly due to their lack of both a full-fledged CAD model and adequate modeling and solving functionalities. This paper presents a new approach that provides a convenient representation of feature model data suitable for direct manipulation of feature models at such clients. In particular, feature handles are proposed to support interactive feature editing. This approach combines all advantages of a thin client approach with the sort of 3D direct manipulation facilities usually only found in powerful standalone CAD systems.

History-Independent Boundary Evaluation for Feature Modeling

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Bidarra ◽  
Willem F. Bronsvoort
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Modeling ◽  
Geometric Model ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Feature Modeling ◽  
Boundary Representation ◽  
Feature Model ◽  
Cellular Model ◽  
Boundary Evaluation ◽  
Modeling Systems ◽  
Current Feature

Abstract Most current feature modeling systems strongly rely on a history-based interpretation of the feature model, in order to maintain its evaluated boundary representation. This dependency on the model history is undesirable, as it forces the user of the modeling system to reason in terms of a strict chronological feature creation order. Moreover, re-evaluation of the boundary representation, as performed in such systems, has a computational cost proportional to the size of the model history. Such drawbacks suggest that current feature modeling systems are still too tied to conventional geometric modeling techniques. In this paper, it is argued that to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, a declarative feature model is required, whose structure is dynamically adapted as modeling operations create or modify relations among its features. Operations performed on this feature model can then be efficiently propagated to an evaluated non-manifold geometric representation, without invoking model history considerations. The paper describes how such a geometric model — the so-called Cellular Model — can be maintained throughout model evolution. For each modeling operation, this is achieved in two phases. First, the Cellular Model is incrementally re-evaluated. Second, the Cellular Model is interpreted, according to the feature information stored in its cellular entities and the current dependencies among the features. The advantages of the use of this history-independent boundary evaluation, implemented within the semantic feature modeling approach, are illustrated with some modeling examples.

Construction of Freeform Feature Models With Attachments

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eelco van den Berg ◽  
Rafael Bidarra ◽  
Willem F. Bronsvoort
Keyword(s):  
Feature Modeling ◽  
Geometric Constraints ◽  
Feature Model ◽  
Feature Models ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
Modeling Systems ◽  
Model Geometry ◽  
New Feature ◽  
Current Feature

In freeform feature modeling, the shape domain of current feature modeling systems is extended with freeform shapes. A challenging task in this context is to develop a method for constructing a feature model in an intuitive, yet unambiguous manner, comparable to the construction methods for regular-shaped feature models. This paper describes a framework in which it is possible to attach a face of a new freeform, volumetric feature instance to a face of a feature instance already in the model. In this framework, features are represented by configurations of freeform definition points, from which the shape is generated. By using geometric constraints on these definition points and other geometric entities within the model, freeform attachments can be realized. Apparent problems that emerge in this context are positioning of the new feature instance on the freeform attach face, fitting the geometry of the new feature instance to the existing model geometry, and maintenance of valid feature model geometry. The framework accommodates for these issues. Two types of attachment, for a freeform extrusion feature respectively a freeform wrap feature, are elaborated. With the attachments presented here, freeform feature models can be constructed in a fully parametrized, constraint-based way, just like regular-shaped feature models.

Enforcing Model Validity by Automatic Adjustment

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Noort ◽  
Willem F. Bronsvoort
Keyword(s):  
Feature Modeling ◽  
Feature Model ◽  
Constraint Solving ◽  
Critical Dimensions ◽  
Model Validity ◽  
Modeling Systems ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Model Adjustment ◽  
Adjustment Strategies ◽  
Feature Conversion

In current modeling systems, all dimensions in a model have to be fully specified by the user. It is desirable that systems become more flexible in this respect, i.e. that non-critical dimensions in a model can be declared variant, and that the model can be automatically adjusted to enforce its validity when it is invalid. A method to realize this in feature modeling systems is described. The underlying feature model definition and validation approach are introduced. Validation is done by a collection of constraint solvers. An overview of invalid situations in which automatic model adjustment can be applied is given. The constraint solving scheme and, in particular, the automatic model adjustment strategies for different types of constraints are elaborated. Applications to enforce model validity are given for the areas of design by features, creating a member of a family of products, and feature conversion. These illustrate that automatic model adjustment is a very useful concept.

Constraints

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raúl Mazo ◽  
Camille Salinesi ◽  
Daniel Diaz ◽  
Olfa Djebbi ◽  
Alberto Lora-Michiels
Keyword(s):  
Domain Engineering ◽  
Product Line ◽  
The Other ◽  
Feature Model ◽  
Product Configuration ◽  
Constraint Program ◽  
Engineering Strategy ◽  
Application Engineering ◽  
The One ◽  
Line Engineering

Drawing from an analogy between features based Product Line (PL) models and Constraint Programming (CP), this paper explores the use of CP in the Domain Engineering and Application Engineering activities that are put in motion in a Product Line Engineering strategy. Specifying a PL as a constraint program instead of a feature model carries out two important qualities of CP: expressiveness and direct automation. On the one hand, variables in CP can take values over boolean, integer, real or even complex domains and not only boolean values as in most PL languages such as the Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis (FODA). Specifying boolean, arithmetic, symbolic and reified constraint, provides a power of expression that spans beyond that provided by the boolean dependencies in FODA models. On the other hand, PL models expressed as constraint programs can directly be executed and analyzed by off-the-shelf solvers. This paper explores the issues of (a) how to specify a PL model using CP, including in the presence of multi-model representation, (b) how to verify PL specifications, (c) how to specify configuration requirements, and (d) how to support the product configuration activity. Tests performed on a benchmark of 50 PL models show that the approach is efficient and scales up easily to very large and complex PL specifications.

scholarly journals File Not Found: Rarity in an Age of Digital Plenty

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Reside
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Good Deal ◽  
The State ◽  
Web Portal ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Rare Books ◽  
The One ◽  
The Web

In the first section of the submission guidelines for this esteemed journal, would-be authors are informed, “RBM: A Journal of Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Cultural Heritage uses a web-based, automated, submission system to track and review manuscripts. Manuscripts should be sent to the editor, […], through the web portal[…]” The multivalent uses of the word “manuscript” in this sentence reveal a good deal about the state of our field. This journal is dedicated to the study of manuscripts, and it is understood by most readers that the manuscripts being studied are of the “one-of-a-kind” variety (even rarer than the “rare . . .

scholarly journals MODELING OF AN E-BUSINESS SYSTEM

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 7308-7315
Author(s):  
Festim HALILI HALILI ◽  
Avni RUSTEMI
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Critical Path ◽  
The Other ◽  
Online Systems ◽  
Online System ◽  
Business System ◽  
Modeling Systems ◽  
Uml Diagrams ◽  
The One ◽  
The Right

Always before we start creating or accessing a particular system, it is more than necessary to have a clearer picture of how to create, respectively, how to approach a certain system, in this case of a e-business system. It is much easier as for systems makers, as well as for ordinary users when they have before them a model of how to be accessed in such a system, because such a thing will orient users much easier to purchase products online through various systems on the one hand, but on the other hand it would help makers of systems create much easier such systems when they have already before them the right design. Modeling systems may be done in different ways, depending on the context of its research, but we in this paper we will use UML diagrams for modeling online system where we will make a comparison between UML diagrams and we will present each type of UML diagram in terms of customer access in online systems. Also using predictive techniques as CPM and PERT techniques in the paper we will present the main activities required for access to an online system by different users, and their graphic presentation and critical path finding, which shows the best way to approach such a system. There shall not fail and the description of business models and the introduction of some e-business models that are commonly used in practice in the days of today.

Web-Enabled Feature-Based Modeling in a Distributed Design Environment

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Yeol Lee ◽  
Hyun Kim ◽  
Sung-Bae Han
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Feature Modeling ◽  
Feature Model ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Dynamic Feature ◽  
Distributed Design ◽  
Product Modeling ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Feature Based

Abstract Network and Internet technology open up another domain for building future CAD/CAM environments. The environment will be global, network-centric, and spatially distributed. In this paper, we present Web-enabled feature-based modeling in a distributed design environment. The presented approach combines the current feature-based modeling technique with distributed computing and communication technology for supporting product modeling and collaborative design activities over the network. The approach is implemented in a client/server architecture, in which Web-enabled feature modeling clients, neutral feature model server, and other applications communicate with one another via a standard communication protocol. The paper discusses how the neutral feature model supports multiple views and maintains naming consistency between geometric entities of the server and clients as the user edits the part in a client. Moreover, it explains how to minimize the network delay between the server and client according to dynamic feature modeling operations.

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