COMPUTER AIDED PROCESSING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

A process for generating data for manufacturing a three-dimensional body utilizing a computer-aided design program. Mathematical models corresponding to reference three-dimensional bodies are provided. The mathematical models are stored in a memory of a computer. Input data representing an input three-dimensional body are provided to the computer. A representation the input data is generated on a display of the computer. The representation includes at least a portion of a contour of a vertical section extending through a central axis of the input three-dimensional body. A location of a preparation line is determined on the representation of the input three-dimensional body. A representation including at least a portion of a contour of a vertical section extending through a central axis of the one of the mathematical models is generated on the display of the computer superimposed on the representation of the input data. A modification of the input data is generated on the display of the computer utilizing an input device of the computer based upon a comparison of the representation of the input three-dimensional body with the representation of the mathematical model. The output data representing the modified input three-dimensional body is generated. The output data is transmittable from the computer for manufacturing the three-dimensional body.