Patent ID: 8098244

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for optimizing a design, comprising the steps of: representing the design digitally in the computer, using a model and a free form deformation grid, wherein the model includes object points, the free form deformation grid comprising control points, and wherein the representation of the free form deformation grid is variable and adaptive; choosing one or several object points; adapting the object points by an adaptation algorithm; and optimizing the design by adapting the free form deformation grid based on the adapted object points wherein the adaption of the object points utilizes the adaptation algorithm and wherein the structural and positional adaptation of the free-form deformation grid utilizes a second optimization algorithm and wherein the free form deformation grid is realized as a mesh of splines, wherein the object points are encoded in a parameter set adapted by the adaptation algorithm, and wherein the free form deformation grid is modified to achieve object points movements to target object points, the free-form deformation grid being adapted to improve the object points.