Geometric Constraint Solving and Applications

Geometric constraint programming increases flexibility in CAD design specifications and leads to new conceptual design paradigms.
This volume features a collection of work by leading researchers developing the various aspects of constraint-based product modeling.
In an introductory chapter the role of constraints in CAD systems of the future and their implications for the STEP data exchange format are discussed. The main part of the book deals with the application of constraints to conceptual and collaborative design, as well as state-of-the-art mathematical and algorithmic methods for constraint solving.

Survey of new developments in, and methods of, geometric constraint programming. Presentation of strengths and weaknesses of constraint programming for CAD systems.

Inhalt
1 The Semantics of Geometric Constraints.- The Role of Constraints in Geometric Modelling.- Progress and Problems in Extending the STEP Standard.- 2 Constraints for Conceptual and Collaborative Design.- Constraint Propagation Using an Active Semantic Network.- Analyzing and Optimizing Constraint Structures in Complex Parametric CAD Models.- Design Support Using Constraint-Driven Design Spaces.- Solving Over- and Underconstrained Geometric Models.- A Constraint-Based Shape Modeling System.- 3 Constraint Representation and Solving Methods.- Modelling of Geometric Constraints in CAD-Applications.- Geometric Constraint Decomposition.- Desargues: A Constraint-Based System for 3D Projective Geometry.- YAMS: A Multi Agent for 2D Constraint Solving.- Qualitative Study of Geometric Constraints.- Geometric Relaxation for Solving Constraint-Based Models.- 4 Constraints for Freeform Surfaces.- Variational Design and Surface Reconstruction.- Computer Aided Spectacle Lens Design.