Patent ID: 7624002

Claim:
A method implemented in a computer system for creating a three-dimensional (3D) system model of a hydraulic system, comprising: (a) defining nodes and two-dimensional (2D) segments interconnecting the nodes in a 2D model having a 2D user interface for the hydraulic system in the computer system; (b) generating a plurality of user interfaces, each user interface of the plurality of user interfaces respectively corresponding to one of the 2D segments in the 2D model and generated via a user selection of the corresponding 2D segment in the 2D model, each user interface comprising a dropdown adapted to provide a user-selectable list of pipes and fittings to define each corresponding 3D segment model and build a list of pipes and fittings in a fittings section for the corresponding 3D segment model, and each user interface also adapted to provide an orientation section that allows the user to select an orientation for each section of piping with respect to each of three displayed mutually perpendicular axes and further adapted to allow the user, via setting an axis using a 45 degree orientation button, to select compound angles for each corresponding 3D segment model with respect to said each of three displayed mutually perpendicular axes; (c) constructing a 3D segment model respectively for each of the 2D segments in the 2D model via the corresponding user interface by defining a three-dimensional layout for the constructed 3D segment model and displaying a shaded realistic representation of a solid form of the constructed 3D segment model in the corresponding user interface; (d) creating the 3D system model via an automatic combination of each 3D segment model constructed in step (c); and (e) displaying the created 3D system model.