Patent ID: 7493239

Claim:
An apparatus for processing parts information in a three dimensional CAD system, comprising: a data processing system comprising: a parts table, having data of one or more parts in parts data blocks in a spreadsheet format, wherein the data includes arrangement data and a plurality of element data for the one or more parts; an element data editor, which refers to at least one of the plurality of element data for at least one of the one or more parts in parts data blocks and changes detailed configuration of the one or more parts; and a spreadsheet editor that generates and changes arrangement data stored in the parts data blocks of the parts table; and a three dimensional CAD system comprising: a project area; an arrangement adjusting unit, which refers to the arrangement data of the one or more parts in the parts data blocks and adjusts a position and/or orientation of at least one of the one or more parts in the project area; wherein changing the arrangement data stored in the parts data blocks of the parts table causes simultaneous changes to arrangement of the one or more parts in the project area in the three dimensional CAD system; and changing the position and/or orientation of at least one of the one or more parts in the project area in the three dimensional CAD system causes simultaneous changes to the arrangement data stored in the parts data blocks of the parts table.