Systems and methods for modifying cad files

Abstract

A method of modifying CAD documents is provided, the method including use of a CAD modifying application that enables a user to modify a plurality of CAD documents outside of a native CAD environment. In another embodiment, the application may be integrated into a native CAD environment. The method includes using the CAD modifying application to build a workflow environment from existing CAD files, configure parameters and components of the workflow environment according to desired modification, and generating the modified CAD documents by instructing the CAD modifying application to communicate with existing CAD software.

1 . A method of modifying a first CAD file stored in a computer memory of a computer, the method comprising:
 building a workflow environment in a CAD modifying application by a processor of the computer, the workflow environment including the first CAD file;   wherein building the workflow environment includes receiving an input selecting the first CAD file from a plurality of CAD files displayed in a workspace environment; and   wherein the workspace environment and workflow environment are displayed by the CAD modifying application in a single window of a display of a computerized user interface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CAD modifying application runs on the computer separately from a CAD software. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of modifying, by the processor, at least one parameter associated with the first CAD file. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of modifying, by the processor, at least one parameter associated with the first CAD file creates at least one modified parameter within the CAD modifying application. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of generating, by the processor, the at least one modified parameter by the CAD modifying application. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of generating, by the processor, a second CAD file from the first CAD file. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of saving the second generated CAD file to the memory of the computer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the workspace environment is created automatically by the processor as instructed by the CAD modifying application. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting the first CAD file from the plurality of CAD files displayed in the workspace environment populates a parameter environment. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first CAD file is an assembly file that includes at least two component files. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein selecting the first CAD file from the plurality of CAD files displayed in the workspace environment causes the processor to populate a component environment. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein components displayed in the component environment correspond to the at least two component files of the assembly file. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein selecting a parameter from the parameter environment causes the processor to generate an interactive form within the CAD modifying application having a corresponding editable parameter window. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising receiving an input comprising a modified parameter value through an input to the user interface in the editable parameter window, the modified parameter value being different from a parameter value in the first CAD file. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising saving the interactive form within the CAD modifying application as a template interactive form for future use. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of combining a second CAD file with the first CAD file in order to generate a master file that reflects a virtual model of an assembly when opened in a CAD software. 
     
     
         17 . A method of modifying a plurality of CAD files, the method comprising:
 opening CAD software stored in a computer memory by a processor;   opening a CAD modifying application stored in the computer memory by the processor;   importing, by the processor, the plurality of CAD files into the CAD modifying application; and   building a workflow environment in the CAD modifying application by the processor, wherein building the workflow environment includes receiving an input selecting a first CAD file from the plurality of CAD files displayed in a workspace environment, where the workspace environment and the workflow environment are displayed by the CAD modifying application in a single window of a display of a user interface.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the first CAD file is an assembly file that comprises at least two component files, and wherein building the workflow environment further includes receiving an input selecting a second CAD file from the plurality of CAD files displayed in the workspace environment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of combining, by the CAD modifying application, the second CAD file and one of the at least two component file of the assembly file to generate a master file that reflects a virtual model when opened in a CAD software. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of exporting, by the CAD modifying application, the assembly file in at least one output format.