A hierarchically structured and constraint-based data model for intuitive and precise solid modeling in a virtual reality environment

This article proposes a hierarchically structured and constraint-based data model for intuitive and precise solid modeling in a virtual reality (VR) environment. The data model integrates a high level constraint-based model for intuitive and precise manipulation, a middle level solid model for complete and precise representation and a low-level polygon mesh model for real-time interactions and visualization in a VR environment. The solid model is based on a hybrid B-rep/CSG data structure. Constraints are embedded in the solid model and are organized at hierarchical levels as feature constraints among internal feature elements, part constraints among internal features and assembly constraints between individual parts. In addition to providing a complete and precise model representation and the support for real-time visualization, the proposed data model permits intuitive and precise interaction through constraint-based manipulations for solid modeling in a VR environment. This is a critical issue for product design in a VR environment due to the limited resolutions of today's VR input and output devices. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.