Patent ID: 7477251

Claim:
A system for acquiring shape information from three-dimensional shape data using a computer system, said three-dimensional shape data including at least one shape element, comprising: a three-dimensional shape data acquisition unit for acquiring the three-dimensional shape data stored in a data storage unit; a three-dimensional shape information generation unit for generating, at least two types of shape information related to each shape element based on parameters entered by a user; a linkage identifier setup unit for adding one common linkage identifier for linking, said at least two types of shape information per shape element, when generating the shape information; a shape information storing unit for storing said shape information having said linkage identifier in the data storage unit; and a shape information linkage control unit for, while referring to said linkage identifier, linking and processing said at least two types of shape information related to a particular shape element selected by the user, wherein the linkage identifier for the shape element is sent and received.