Abstract: A method of extending tabular layouts of article characteristics(SML) was proposed to solve the problem that conventional SML cannot organize multi-view, multi-level product information and design knowledge in intelligent master model(IMM). Firstly, product article characteristics were multi-view clarified to meet the requirement of information expression in IMM. Then the content of article characteristics was extended to fully express multi-view information for the whole product design process in width dimension, and knowledge matrix was used to describe the association relationship between product article characteristics and design knowledge in depth dimension to provide designer with knowledge to make design decision, and the SML was constructed form product, component and part level in granularity dimension to enable intelligent master model intelligently scaling product structure so as to quickly evaluate different product configuration in early product development stages. Effectiveness of the presented method was verified by an example of barrel design and optimization.