A method in a computer modeling environment having generative component features forming a model is provided. A generative component (GC) feature is created with a method. User input modifying an aspect of the model that affects the GC feature is received. An update method for the GC feature is determined dynamically based on the user input, the properties of the GC feature and input properties of available update methods to obtain a selected update method. The GC feature is updated based on the selected update method to obtain an updated GC feature. The updated GC feature is stored in a computer readable medium.