Modeling of a three-dimensional object includes storing data representing a computer model of the three-dimensional object. The data includes a number of feature objects each of which defines a feature of the computer model. A feature chain is formed and includes at least one feature object having a design effect limited in scope such that an operation for removing material operates to affect the feature of the computer model defined by another feature object in the same feature chain and does not affect the feature of the computer model defined by the feature object not in said same feature chain. Multiple feature chains can be combined to form an interrelationship among feature objects that represents a hierarchy defining construction of the model from the feature objects.