Systems and methods for sculpting virtual objects in a haptic virtual reality environment
First Claim
1. A method for modifying a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment, comprising:
- determining a virtual tool comprising a plurality of discrete points for use by the user in the haptic virtual environment;
selecting a modification mode for the virtual tool;
sensing a location of a user in real space;
determining locations of the plurality of discrete points of the virtual tool relative to a location of the virtual object;
calculating an interaction force between the virtual tool and the virtual object based on the locations of the plurality of discrete points of the virtual tool and the location of the virtual object;
producing a modified virtual object by modifying the virtual object based on the modification mode, the locations of the plurality of discrete points of the virtual tool, and the location of the virtual object; and
outputting the modified virtual object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user of a virtual object or computer model uses a haptic interface device in the real world to manipulate a virtual tool in a virtual environment to interact and modify the virtual object. The user uses the virtual tool in a sculpting mode to modify the shape of the virtual object by adding, removing, or modifying the material of the object. The user feels an interaction force from the virtual tool as it interacts with and modifies the virtual object. The designer can set geometric constraints, such as a constraint point, constraint line, or constraint surface, to limit or guide the movement of the virtual tool.
138 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for modifying a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment, comprising:
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determining a virtual tool comprising a plurality of discrete points for use by the user in the haptic virtual environment;
selecting a modification mode for the virtual tool;
sensing a location of a user in real space;
determining locations of the plurality of discrete points of the virtual tool relative to a location of the virtual object;
calculating an interaction force between the virtual tool and the virtual object based on the locations of the plurality of discrete points of the virtual tool and the location of the virtual object;
producing a modified virtual object by modifying the virtual object based on the modification mode, the locations of the plurality of discrete points of the virtual tool, and the location of the virtual object; and
outputting the modified virtual object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for modifying a virtual object by a user in a haptic virtual environment, the system comprising:
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a virtual tool comprising a plurality of discrete points for use by the user in the haptic virtual environment, wherein the user selects a modification mode for the virtual tool;
a haptic interface device, wherein the haptic interface device senses a location of the user in real space;
a modeling application in communication with the haptic interface device, the virtual object, and the virtual tool, wherein the modeling application determines locations of the plurality of discrete points of the virtual tool relative to a location of the virtual object;
calculates an interaction force between the virtual tool and the virtual object based on the locations of the plurality of discrete points of the virtual tool and the location of the virtual object;
produces a modified virtual object by modifying the virtual object based on the modification mode;
the locations of the plurality of discrete points of the virtual tool, and the location of the virtual object; and
outputs the modified virtual object. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for interfacing with a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment, comprising:
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generating a virtual object comprising a virtual surface in the haptic virtual environment;
setting a constraint geometry in the haptic virtual environment;
determining a virtual tool for use by the user in the haptic virtual environment;
sensing a location of a user in real space;
determining a haptic interface location in the haptic virtual environment in response to the location of the user in real space;
determining a position of the virtual tool in the haptic virtual environment in comparison to the haptic interface location and the location of the virtual surface and the constraint geometry;
constraining an action of the virtual tool based on (i) the constraint geometry, (ii) the virtual surface, (iii) the position of the virtual tool, and (iv) the haptic interface location. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for interfacing with a virtual object in a haptic virtual environment, the system comprising:
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the virtual object comprising a virtual surface;
a virtual tool for use by the user in the haptic virtual environment;
a constraint geometry limiting the movement of the virtual tool in the haptic virtual environment;
a haptic interface device, wherein the haptic interface device senses a position of the user in real space;
a modeling application in communication with the haptic interface device, the virtual object, and the virtual tool, wherein the modeling application determines a haptic interface location in the haptic virtual environment in response to the location of the user in real space;
determines a position of the virtual tool in the haptic virtual environment in comparison to the haptic interface location, and the location of the virtual surface and the constraint geometry; and
constraining an action of the virtual tool based on (i) the constraint geometry, (ii) the virtual surface, and (iii) the position of the virtual tool, and (iv) the haptic interface location. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification