Design data modeling with versioned conceptual configuration

Control of versions and time-varying configurations of design data is a very important issue in computer-aided design environments. A new data modeling scheme to facilitate their management is proposed. The basic idea is to manage complicatedly related time-varying design data in terms of well-defined versions and configurations of conceptual design artifacts. The modeling scheme views the design database as a collection of conceptual objects and representation objects. Representation objects are abstractions of conventional design data files and configurations of conceptual objects are cast on them as the management structure. To facilitate design data management through the conceptual objects, the scheme provides constructs for modeling version variant and invariant configurations and for modular management of large configurations. Operations for design data manipulation and a mechanism for maintaining design database consistency are also presented