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1. A computer-implemented method for modeling an engineering or architectural design in a computer aided design (CAD) environment, the method comprising:

receiving, using a computer, a first list of data values, wherein the data values represent one or more geometric elements in the CAD environment;

determining a total number of levels of the first list using the computer;

creating, using the computer, a rectangularized list, wherein the rectangularized list is a rectangularized copy of the first list based on the determined total number of levels of the first list;

creating a return list using the computer;

detecting, using the computer, an item at the deepest level of the rectangularized list;

calculating an index trail of the item using the computer;

rotating the values in the index trail using the computer; and

storing, using the computer, the item into the return list according to the rotated index trail.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the rotating the values in the index trail further comprises: rotating the values in the index in accordance with a received starting nest level.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the method steps of calculating, rotating, and storing are performed for every item at the deepest level of the rectangularized list.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the determining a total number of levels of the list further comprises determining a total number of levels of the list in accordance with a received starting nest level and a received level count.

5. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer readable program code for causing a computer to perform a method for modeling an engineering or architectural design in a computer aided design (CAD) environment, the method comprising:

receiving a property type and a value list, wherein the value list represents one or more geometric elements in the CAD environment;

calculating a first nest level from the value list;

calculating a second nest level from the value list;

calculating a starting nest level from the second nest level;

calculating a level count from the first nest level and the second nest level; and

rotating the level count number of members from the starting nest level to a topmost level and pushing down all intervening levels between them.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the calculating the first nest level from the value list further comprises:

traversing recursively through the value list to determine a deepest nest level at which there resides an item that is compatible with the property type.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the calculating the second nest level from the value list further comprises:

traversing recursively through the value list to determine a deepest nest level at which there resides a literal list that is compatible with the property type.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the calculating the starting nest level from the second nest level further comprises:

adding one to the second nest level.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the calculating the level count from the first nest level and the second nest level further comprises:

subtracting the second nest level from the first nest level.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5 , further comprising:

determining the starting nest level is greater than one; and

determining the level count is greater than zero.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for modeling an engineering or architectural design in a computer aided design (CAD) environment, the medium comprising:

one or more instructions for receiving a first list of data values, wherein the data values represent one or more geometric elements in the CAD environment;

one or more instructions for determining a total number of levels of the first list;

one or more instructions for creating a rectangularized list, wherein the rectangularized list is a rectangularized copy of the first list based on the determined total number of levels of the first list;

one or more instructions for creating a return list;

one or more instructions for detecting an item at the deepest level of the rectangularized list;

one or more instructions for calculating an index trail of the item;

one or more instructions for rotating the values in the index trail; and

one or more instructions for storing the item into the return list according to the rotated index trail.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the one or more instructions for calculating, rotating, and storing are performed for every item at the deepest level of the rectangularized list.

13. A parametric modeling system for modeling an engineering or architectural design in a computer aided design (CAD) environment, the system comprising:

a non-transitory storage; and

one or more processors configured to:

receive a first list of data values, wherein the data values represent one or more geometric elements in the CAD environment;

determine a total number of levels of the first list;

create a rectangularized list, wherein the rectangularized list is a rectangularized copy of the first list based on the determined total number of levels of the first list;

create a return list;

detect an item at the deepest level of the rectangularized list;

calculate an index trail of the item;

rotate the values in the index trail; and

store the item into the return list according to the rotated index trail.

14. The parametric modeling system of claim 13 , wherein the calculate, rotate, and store are performed for every item at the deepest level of the rectangularized list.

15. A parametric modeling system for modeling an engineering or architectural design in a computer aided design (CAD) environment, the system comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable medium storage to hold one or more geometric elements in the CAD environment; and

one or more processors configured to:

receive a property type and a value list, wherein the value list represents the one or more geometric elements in the CAD environment;

calculate a first nest level from the value list;

calculate a second nest level from the value list;

calculate a starting nest level from the second nest level;

calculate a level count from the first nest level and the second nest level;

rotate the level count number of members from the starting nest level to a topmost level and pushing down all intervening levels between them; and

store a result of the rotate in the non-transitory computer readable medium storage.

16. The parametric modeling system of claim 15 , wherein the calculate a first nest level from the value list further comprises:

traversing recursively through the value list to determine a deepest nest level at which there resides an item that is compatible with the property type.

17. The parametric modeling system of claim 15 , wherein the calculate a second nest level from the value list further comprises:

traversing recursively through the value list to determine a deepest nest level at which there resides a literal list that is compatible with the property type.