FIELD: data processing.
SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method and an apparatus for specifying a supporting structure for a three-dimensional object. Computer-implemented method for specifying supporting structure (2) for three-dimensional object (1), produced by a stereolithographic process, comprises the following operations: setting first surface (3) of three-dimensional object (1) to be supported and second surface (4) facing first surface (3), the assignment of elongated support elements (5) between surfaces (3, 4), setting pairs of support elements (5), task for each pair of support elements (5) of elongated reinforcing element (6) connecting two supporting elements (5) of the given pair. Specified job of a pair of support elements (5) contains the following operations: reference point (7) definition of each supporting element (5), definition of connected acyclic graph (8) having, as vertices, reference points (7), definition of one pair of support elements containing two supporting elements (5) corresponding to the ends of edges (9) for each edge (9) of specified graph. Specified pair of support elements (5) also contains the operation of specifying an additional pair of support elements for each vertex of connected acyclic graph (8) of order 1, this additional pair comprises first support element (5) corresponding to a vertex having order of 1 and second support element (5) connected to first support element (5) by no edge (9).
EFFECT: reduced volume of the supporting structure.
14 cl, 7 dwg
