Patent ID: 6931294

Claim:
A method for generating a three-dimensional digital solid model for a complex product that includes a plurality of components, the method comprising: evaluating the complex product; determining one or more 3D data gathering tools to use based on the evaluation of the complex product; determining one or more three-dimensional modeling methods to use for modeling the components of the complex product based on the evaluation of the complex product and the determined one or more 3D data gathering tools; generating three-dimensional digital computer-aided design (CAD) solid models for the components based on the determined one or more methods; setting a common reference point for each of the generated three-dimensional digital CAD solid models; and combining the generated three-dimensional digital CAD solid models based on the set reference point to form a three-dimensional digital CAD solid model for the complex product, wherein the one or more three-dimensional modeling methods is selected from a list consisting of existing data models, computer aided design entity generation methods, and polymesh model generation methods, wherein the one or more three-dimensional modeling methods include a plurality of digital data gathering techniques selected from a list consisting of laser tracking, Photogrammetry, optically scanning, and coordinate measuring.