[vtkusers] Is VTK applicable to a CAD like program?

[Aaron Linnen]

I'm hoping to pick your brains about a software that I'm currently 
working on, for any ideas and for where VTK might fit in best.

The program is a domain specific CAD like program for the design of 
etched stonework, mostly monuments. The program has a  collection of  
elements (line drawings) that can be placed on the stone,  as well as 
allowing text items to be created and edited.

The program has been in use for a number of years and the current design 
simply lets you edit the main surfaces of the stone as a flat surface, 
then has a (hand written, and poorly at that) perspective view.  The 
program currently doesn't hand more complicated stones (e.g. made out 
of  several stones, or oddly shaped with curves)

It was in looking to rewrite and improve the perspective view that I 
started looking into VTK.  To make use of  it, I would need to make 
actual 3d models for the various stones.  Looking into this I had the 
idea that maybe VTK could help with the editing portion too.

My rough idea was if I was making the the 3d models anyways, I should be 
able to get VTK to generate the shape of the various surfaces that I 
could use as textures for the 3d view. So the editing would be on the 2d 
texture maps for now and not need much training for the users.

So I'm wondering if given a shape, say a stone vase with 2 flat sides 
front and back and 2 rounded sides, looking like this in a top down view:
 ___
(___)   (please excuse my feeble attempts at ASCII art!)
  a) can I tag the 3d model data so that I know which polygons compose 
each of the 4 sides? What file format handles this nicely?
  b) can I get the texture shape needed for each of the sides (which may 
be composed of several polygons)
  c) would there be a way to handle pictures that wrap one 2 (or more) 
of the sides?
  d) what if this vase had a top that can also be engraved? Now a) needs 
to be able to mark 5 sides, c) potentially might need to wrap something 
on the front, top and right side for example.
   e) is there an accurate method of knowing where something is on the 
texture maps to on the 3d model? Say I needed to add a border exactly 1 
inch from the top of the vase?

Well, as usual, writing it out has helped my already. If anyone has 
pointers or ideas on this it would be great. Particular parts of VTK 
that would apply would be appreciated too.  Completely different methods 
are also welcomed :)

If this is deemed too of topic for this list, I apologize and people can 
follow up off-list if that's more appropriate.

Thanks,
Aaron