Definitions of Key Terms
Erep (Editable Representation)
is a high-level, generative, textual representation for
feature-based solid modeling. It is independent of the underlying
solid modeler and therefore facilitates federation of different modeling
systems.
For further information, see [42],
[43].
Clusters
A cluster is a collection of geometric elements and constraints which
together comprise a rigid body.
Generic Solver
A generic solver has two phases In the first, the input is analyzed
to determine if the configuration is well-constrained.
When the first phase reports a well-constrained problem, it also generate
a sequence of operations for placing the elements. The placement of the
geometric elements is actually carried out during the second phase.
Instance Solver
An instance solver takes a geometric constraint system with
specific values for all constraints as input, and
directly computes the possible placements for the geometric elements.
A geometric constraint problem is overconstrained
if one constraint can be deleted
yet the constraint system still has a finite number of solutions.
A geometric constraint problem with an infinite number
of solutions is underconstrained.
Well-constrained
A geometric constraint problem is well-constrained
if there are a finite number of solutions to the problem.