István Csanády: Geometry Kernels, Implicit Representations and CAD

CAD kernels serve as the mathematical foundation for mechanical design, relying primarily on Boundary Representation (B-Rep) to define 3D shapes through faces, edges, and vertices. While B-Rep has standardized the industry for decades, it faces inherent limitations in robustness, performance, and parallelization due to complex topology-geometry bookkeeping and infinite edge cases. Alternative representations like Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) and Signed Distance Fields (SDFs) offer potential advantages in speed and Boolean robustness but struggle with traditional engineering workflows and ecosystem compatibility. The industry remains locked into B-Rep because it functions as the universal protocol for CAD, CAM, and CAE integration. Future advancements in engineering software depend on overcoming these geometric bottlenecks, potentially through AI-driven code-based modeling or new architectures that transcend the constraints of legacy B-Rep systems.