Don Pubudu Vishwana Joseph Jayakody , Tak Yu Lau , Hyunyoung Kim , Kai Tang , Lauren E.J. Thomas-Seale
{"title":"A salient vector field-driven part orientation selection for multi-axis 3D printing","authors":"Don Pubudu Vishwana Joseph Jayakody , Tak Yu Lau , Hyunyoung Kim , Kai Tang , Lauren E.J. Thomas-Seale","doi":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103877","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103877","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Part orientation is a crucial element that governs the impact of several manufacturing constraints in material extrusion-based additive manufacturing (AM). Although part orientation optimisation has been extensively investigated to improve the manufacturability in 2.5-axis AM configuration, its influence on material extrusion-based multi-axis AM remains underdetermined. In this paper, we propose a computational framework to find the optimal part orientation that maximises the compliance of the tool orientation vector field with respect to several constraints required for support-free multi-axis AM. By combining topological significance, mesh saliency and curvedness metrics, we introduce a new salient feature map to formulate the link between the part orientation and the tool orientation vector field compliance. Once the optimal orientation is computed, our method enables a direct computation of a compliant iso-tool orientation vector field for a set of input iso-tool path points. We demonstrate that the part orientation can indeed be changed to minimise tool angle variation whilst adhering to overhang angle constraints for a range of 3D mesh models. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by comparing our method with existing tool orientation vector field design methods. Our promising results reveal the potential in part orientation optimisation as a means to address manufacturing constraints in multi-axis tool path design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50632,"journal":{"name":"Computer-Aided Design","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 103877"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143734738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haroon Ijaz, Xuwei Wang, Wei Chen, Hai Lin, Ming Li
{"title":"Physically reliable 3D styled shape generation via structure-aware topology optimization in unified latent space","authors":"Haroon Ijaz, Xuwei Wang, Wei Chen, Hai Lin, Ming Li","doi":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103864","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103864","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We propose a novel approach to structure-aware topology optimization (SATO) to generate physically plausible multi-component structures with diverse stylistic variations. Traditional TO methods often operate within a discrete voxel-defined design space, overlooking the underlying structure-aware, which limits their ability to accommodate stylistic design preferences. Our approach leverages variational autoencoders (VAEs) to encode both geometries and corresponding structures into a unified latent space, capturing part arrangement features. The design target is carefully formulated as a topology optimization problem taking the VAE code as design variables under physical constraints, and solved numerically via analyzing the associated sensitivity with respect to the VAE variables. Our numerical examples demonstrate the ability to generate lightweight structures that balance geometric plausibility and structural performance with much enhanced stiffness that outperforms existing generative techniques. The method also enables the generation of diverse and reliable designs, maintaining structural integrity throughout, via a direct smooth interpolation between the optimized designs. The findings highlight the potential of our approach to bridge the gap between generative design and physics-based optimization by incorporating deep learning techniques.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50632,"journal":{"name":"Computer-Aided Design","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 103864"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143628570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Honghong He , Zhengwentai Sun , Jintu Fan , P.Y. Mok
{"title":"TiPGAN: High-quality tileable textures synthesis with intrinsic priors for cloth digitization applications","authors":"Honghong He , Zhengwentai Sun , Jintu Fan , P.Y. Mok","doi":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103866","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103866","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seamless textures play an important role in 3D modeling, animation, video games, and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, enhancing the realism and aesthetics of the digital environments. Despite its significance, generating seamless textures is not trivial, requiring the edges of the synthesized texture image to represent a continuous pattern when tiled. Although traditional methods and deep learning models have made good progress in texture synthesis, they often fail in ensuring the seamless property of the synthesized textures. In this paper, we report on TiPGAN, a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) model, which we developed to generate seamless textures. Leveraging the <em>inherent intrinsics</em> of seamless textures as <em>priors</em>, our model introduces two novel modules: a Patch Swapping Module, for maintaining texture continuity through diagonal patch swapping, and a Patch Tiling Module, for ensuring seamless repetition across tiles. To overcome the limitations of existing image quality metrics in evaluating tileability, we introduce a new metric, termed Relative Total Variation (RTV), for assessing the smoothness and continuity of the synthesized textures. Our experimental results demonstrate that TiPGAN outperforms existing methods in generating high-quality, seamless textures, as validated by both conventional image quality metrics and our newly proposed RTV metric. This research represents a significant advancement in texture generation, offering valuable applications in graphic design, virtual reality, and digital art. Our code and dataset are available at <span><span>https://github.com/VickyHEHonghong/TiPGAN</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50632,"journal":{"name":"Computer-Aided Design","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 103866"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143654605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Feiqi Wang, Haidong Wang, Xiang Zhao, Qi Ran, Guidong Wang, Huan Zhang, Xin Hu, She Li, Xiangyang Cui
{"title":"Mid-surface mesh abstraction for thin-walled structures based on virtual topology","authors":"Feiqi Wang, Haidong Wang, Xiang Zhao, Qi Ran, Guidong Wang, Huan Zhang, Xin Hu, She Li, Xiangyang Cui","doi":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103865","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103865","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study is to propose a virtual topology-based mid-surface mesh abstraction method. Firstly, the complex model is decomposed into simpler volumes, and virtual topology operations are performed on unilateral faces of these simpler volumes. Subsequently, virtual topology meshes of unilateral faces are generated. With these virtual topology meshes served as initial meshes, mid-surface meshes of the simpler volumes can be effectively acquired with high accuracy by using the new-developed local mesh projection algorithm. With the combination of the mid-surface meshes of the simpler volumes, the mid-surface mesh of the original solid model can be established.</div><div>Key features of the proposed method include: (1) reducing model complexity through model decomposition, (2) enhancing initial mesh quality using virtual topology operations, (3) by utilizing local mesh projection algorithms, high-quality mid-surface meshes can be easily accessible without the need for complex mesh partitioning, compared to traditional CAT methods which accurately control the type and size of mid-surface meshes, and (4) reducing human–computer interaction in the process of converting mid-surface meshes to thin-walled structures. Finally the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method has been demonstrated through several cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50632,"journal":{"name":"Computer-Aided Design","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 103865"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143637190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Turn or twist? Verify locally to vectorize globally","authors":"Preetam Chayan Chatterjee, Partha Bhowmick","doi":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103861","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103861","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper introduces a novel technique for analyzing digital curves by identifying turns and twists. A turn or twist, being a local feature, is well-defined for any three consecutive runs. A twist indicates an inflection, while a turn signifies no inflection. Determining the presence of inflections in a digital curve involves identifying twists interspersed among turns. We construct a definite grammar tree within the domain of regular language using a word-theoretic interpretation of pixel runs. We demonstrate how the pre-images of these runs facilitate a combinatorial classification of digital curves in discrete geometry, correlating with the grammar tree classification. This approach results in efficient vectorization of digital curves through a well-defined segmentation that adheres to certain invariant properties. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the merit and efficacy of our method.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50632,"journal":{"name":"Computer-Aided Design","volume":"183 ","pages":"Article 103861"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wanbin Pan , Haiying Kuang , Shuming Gao , Yigang Wang , Gang Xu , Ming Li , Wei Liu , Lixian Qiao
{"title":"An automatic approach for generating parametric models from topology-optimization results for three-axis CNC machining","authors":"Wanbin Pan , Haiying Kuang , Shuming Gao , Yigang Wang , Gang Xu , Ming Li , Wei Liu , Lixian Qiao","doi":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103863","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103863","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Converting topology-optimization results into parametric models is crucial for manufacturing lightweight, high-stiffness products. However, currently available technologies cannot effectively automate and perform this conversion, especially for three-axis CNC machining. To bridge this gap, this study proposes an automatic approach for generating parametric models from topology-optimization results. First, integrating the machining characteristics of three-axis CNC machining, surface voxel accessibility analysis and different voxel clustering are carried out to determine the optimal machining directions and removable geometry of the (common) raw material model. Then, a parametric sketch contours generation method is presented for the removable geometry. This also provides the essential preparation for generating a parametric model by adding subtractive features to the raw material model. Particularly, a classified layered projection method is developed to ensure the final parametric model preserves the shape of the topology-optimization result as much as possible. This method can project and fit the removable geometry into quadratic curve sketch contours in a layer-by-layer scheme. Based on the sketch contour of each layer, the corresponding subtractive feature can be generated and added to the raw material model to remove the corresponding removable geometry. Performing this subtractive process layer by layer can generate the final parametric model of the topology-optimization result. Herein, certain constraints are also implemented during the subtractive process to ensure that the final model can preserve the stiffness of the topology-optimization result. Finally, the automatic conversion experiments on two complex and representative topology-optimization results show an average reduction of 19.3 % in maximum displacement (i.e., compliance) and an average increase of 45.2 % in mass as well as 28.4 % increase in volume when averaging the changes across both generated parametric models compared with their original topology-optimization results. The methodological comparisons also show that the presented approach has special benefits, including the ability to convert topology-optimization results automatically and effectively into parametric models, while maintaining stiffness and being processable by three-axis CNC machining.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50632,"journal":{"name":"Computer-Aided Design","volume":"182 ","pages":"Article 103863"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143508648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Martin Roth , Abolfazl Rezaei Aderiani , Edward Morse , Kristina Wärmefjord , Rikard Söderberg
{"title":"Closing gaps in the digital thread with the Quality Information Framework (QIF) standard for a seamless geometry assurance process","authors":"Martin Roth , Abolfazl Rezaei Aderiani , Edward Morse , Kristina Wärmefjord , Rikard Söderberg","doi":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103860","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103860","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An essential premise for a reliable variation simulation is that information on the geometrical part variations and their accumulation and propagation within an assembly is available, accessible, interchangeable, and usable in all geometry-related downstream activities. For this reason, this article studies the potential of the QIF (Quality Information Framework) standard. It illustrates how it can be used in the sense of Model-Based Definition to close gaps in the digital geometry assurance process. Besides benefits in the automation of variation simulation, it demonstrates that the semantic, feature-based linkage between product specification and inspection information in QIF 3.0 facilitates the augmentation of variation simulation with more detailed feature information for pre-production applications and feeding the digital twin to assure and optimize product quality in the production phase.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50632,"journal":{"name":"Computer-Aided Design","volume":"182 ","pages":"Article 103860"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143463544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jin Cheng , Hao Lv , Huqiang Ye , Zhenyu Liu , Jinsong Feng , Jianrong Tan
{"title":"Performance evaluation of 3DCAD systems based on unified automatic test, cloud model and variable weight AHP","authors":"Jin Cheng , Hao Lv , Huqiang Ye , Zhenyu Liu , Jinsong Feng , Jianrong Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103862","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103862","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Performance, typically measured in terms of accuracy, efficiency and resource occupation of various modeling operations, is a key factor for assessing the quality of 3DCAD systems, hence it is necessary to scientifically and impartially evaluate the performance of different 3DCAD systems for CAD companies to understand the gap between their systems and leading ones. In view of these considerations, a performance evaluation framework is proposed for 3DCAD systems based on unified automatic test, cloud model and variable weight analytic hierarchy process (AHP). First, an automatic test tool and a series of test cases are developed for the unified automatic performance test of various 3DCAD systems so that the test data can be efficiently achieved. In the acquisition of the performance test data, the fluctuation of hardware performance and the random resource allocation of operating systems will cause the uncertainty of 3DCAD systems itself and the instability of the test environment. To accurately modeling these uncertainties, a novel self-subtracted backward cloud generator (SSBCG) is proposed, based on which the performance indexes of 3DCAD systems can be characterized as cloud models and the uncertainty of system performance is distinguished from the external instability of the test environment by the entropy and hyper entropy of cloud models. Additionally, a variable weight AHP considering both the credibility and relative importance of the performance indexes is put forward to calculate the overall performance score of 3DCAD systems. Finally, the feasibility, effectiveness and engineering practicability of the proposed performance evaluation framework for 3DCAD systems is verified through a case study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50632,"journal":{"name":"Computer-Aided Design","volume":"182 ","pages":"Article 103862"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143453254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiaming Li , Wanqing Zhao , Chunnan Li , Xin Zhang , Tongkun Deng , Jun Wang , Jinye Peng
{"title":"An efficient parallel mesh generation method for finite element based analysis of large complex architecture","authors":"Jiaming Li , Wanqing Zhao , Chunnan Li , Xin Zhang , Tongkun Deng , Jun Wang , Jinye Peng","doi":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Finite Element Method (FEM) is renowned for its exceptional computational accuracy and adaptability to diverse, complex geometric configurations, making it a powerful tool for assessing the structural stability of historical edifices. By leveraging structural mechanics analysis through FEM, a more proactive approach to the conservation of ancient structures can be pursued. Nonetheless, the analysis of many extant ancient architectures, characterized by their considerable scale and structural complexity, demands a vast quantity of finite element meshes to enable high-precision calculations—demands that traditional serial processing methods fail to meet. This paper introduces a parallel large-scale mesh generation algorithm designed for cluster computing environments, which facilitates the mesh generation for large-scale complex structures. The proposed algorithm enhances the continuity and integrity of mesh information across subdomains by projecting volume elements located on the interfaces of adjacent subdomains onto each other based on global barycentric IDs. This projection ensures that finite element analysis can proceed independently within each subdomain. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach not only generates a substantial number of meshes more efficiently but also ensures that the finite element analysis results for each subdomain closely approximate those of a global finite element analysis, as well as reducing the communication time among subdomains and improving the efficiency of the subsequent finite element solution. This advancement significantly boosts the time-efficiency of high-performance preventive monitoring and protection for largecomplex heritage architectures, thereby coenhancing the efficacy of preservation efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50632,"journal":{"name":"Computer-Aided Design","volume":"182 ","pages":"Article 103851"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shuming Zhang , Zhidong Guan , Xiaodong Wang , Pingan Tan , Hao Jiang
{"title":"Reinforcement learning based automatic block decomposition of solid models for hexahedral meshing","authors":"Shuming Zhang , Zhidong Guan , Xiaodong Wang , Pingan Tan , Hao Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103850","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cad.2025.103850","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Generating high-quality meshes for CAD models is a crucial preprocessing task for numerical simulation. Although mesh generation techniques are well-established, automatic hexahedral meshing remains challenging, particularly for complex geometries. Conventional methods often require manual intervention to decompose solid models into simpler, meshable blocks, which is labor-intensive and demands expert knowledge. To address the challenge of automating the block decomposition of solid models for hexahedral meshing, we propose a novel reinforcement learning (RL) framework. This framework enables an agent to learn optimal decomposition strategies by interacting with a CAD modeling environment. Key contributions include a network-friendly method for representing and learning the environment’s state and the agent’s actions—3D geometric shapes and the corresponding block decomposition operations; a two-step training strategy that integrates imitation learning with reinforcement learning to improve training efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate that our RL-based method achieves a more effective automatic block decomposition of complex 3D solid models for generating high-quality hexahedral meshes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50632,"journal":{"name":"Computer-Aided Design","volume":"182 ","pages":"Article 103850"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143427933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}