Specification of freeform features

Abstract

Freeform feature modeling is an extension to feature modeling in which, in addition to regular-shaped features, also freeform features are possible. Due to the large variety of freeform features, a generic approach to specify such features is required. This paper describes such an approach. A freeform feature class is specified by using a prototype and constraints. The latter are used to define intuitive parameters and validity conditions for the class. A new, prototype-driven constraint solving method is used to unambiguously determine a freeform feature during the specification both of a class and of an instance to be added to a model. The specification of freeform features and the prototype-driven constraint solving method are discussed. Several examples are given.