Dynamic binding of features and solid modelers

The work described in this paper investigates the feasibility of standardizing communications between geometric modeling core systems and generic feature-based applications. Since geometric modelers differ in the functionality they provide and feature applications vary in the level of geometric operations they can support internally, a multi-layered communication architecture is proposed. The methodology is analogous to the X-Window standard for graphics. At the lowest level is a library of functions named Geo-Iib, which are translated into geometric modeler specific commands. If there was to be a future dynamic interfacing standard, such as STEP-SDAI, these specific calls could be replaced by standard calls, analogous to Geo-Protocol. At the next layer is a library, called Geo-widgets, which are written entirely using Geo-lib functions. At the highest level Geo-Tools, functions used commonly by generic applications. Feature applications can choose to use the library at any level, as necessary. This multi-layered geometric toolkit creates a seamless object oriented bond between the feature application and the geometric modeling core, in such a way that either one could be replaced without requiring any changes to the other.