Multi-Criteria Assessment of Shape Quality in CAD Systems of the Future

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multi-criteria approach for assessing the shape quality of curves in CAD systems, considering smoothness, curvature, energy, and aesthetics, to improve design evaluation methods.

Contribution

It proposes a comprehensive multi-criteria framework for evaluating curve quality in CAD, addressing limitations of single-criterion assessments and accommodating evolving quality standards.

Findings

Analysis of point particle motion informs quality criteria

Identification of key curve quality factors such as smoothness and curvature

Discussion of CAD edge rounding issues in industrial design

Abstract

Unlike many other works, where authors are usually focused on one or two quality criteria, the current manuscript, which is a generalization of the article [35] published in Russian, offers a multi-criteria approach to the assessment of the shape quality of curves that constitute component parts of the surfaces used for the computer modelling of object shapes in various types of design. Based on the analysis of point particle motion along a curved path, requirements for the quality of functional curves are proposed: a high order of smoothness, a minimum number of curvature extrema, minimization of the maximum value of curvature and its variation rate, minimization of the potential energy of the curve, and aesthetic analysis from the standpoint of the laws of technical aesthetics. The authors do not set themselves the task of giving a simple and precise mathematical definition of such curves. On the contrary, this category can include various curves that meet certain quality criteria, the refinement and addition of which is possible in the near future. Engineering practice shows that quality criteria can change over time, which does not diminish the need to develop multi-criteria methods for assessing the quality of geometric shapes. Technical issues faced during edge rounding in 3D models that affect the quality of industrial design product shape have been reviewed as an example of the imperfection of existing CAD systems.