It is provided a computer-implemented method for designing a three-dimensional modeled object. The method comprises providing a boundary representation of the modeled object; determining a subset of the set of faces for which the faces are a copy one of another; forming a first group of faces within the subset that form a geometrical pattern; and associating to the first group of faces at least one second group of faces that are, for each face of the second group, adjacent to a respective face of the first group and that are, for each pair of faces of the second group, compliant with the rigid motion that transforms, one into the other, the respective faces of the first group to which the faces of the pair are adjacent. Such a method improves the design of a 3D modeled object.