Systems and methods for creating virtual objects in a sketch mode in a haptic virtual reality environment

• US 20050062738A1
• Filed: 07/27/2004
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc. (3D Systems Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc. (3D Systems Corporation)
• Inventors: Midura, Marc, Shannon, Walter C. III, Payne, Bradley, Massie, Thomas H., Handley, Joshua, Aviles, Walter A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,864,173 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 50/00 Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/00 3D [Three Dimensional] image rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/20 Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/21 Collision detection, intersection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/28 Force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2016 Rotation, translation, scaling

Abstract

A user of a modeling application modifies an initial virtual object using a sketch drawn on one or more construction planes. Typically, construction planes are connected by an axis that intersects the virtual object. The user can draw a sketch on each construction plane, and the modeling application interpolates a shape along the axis between the sketches to determine what material in the virtual object is to be removed from it. In this manner, material may be removed to create a recess or hole in the virtual object or otherwise to slice away material from the object. A user can use two or more axes and construction planes to produce complex shapes from the initial virtual object. A user can also select a portion of a virtual object and mirror the selected portion. Modifications that the user makes in the selected portion are made correspondingly in the mirrored portion.

Claims

1-48. -48. (canceled).

49. A method of modifying a virtual object in a virtual environment, the method comprising the steps of:

rendering a virtual object within a virtual environment, the virtual object having an initial shape;

rendering a construction plane within the virtual environment;

rendering a virtual tool in the virtual environment, wherein the virtual tool is responsive to a user-operated interface device;

rendering a sketch on the construction plane in accordance with a movement of the virtual tool; and

modifying the initial shape of the virtual object according to the sketch.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the user-operated interface device is a haptic interface device.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the construction plane is capable of occupying a smaller cross-sectional area than the virtual object.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein the modifying step comprises at least one of:

(i) adding virtual material to the virtual object; and

(ii) removing virtual material from the virtual object.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein the construction plane is capable of being positioned at at least one of:

(i) a location external to the virtual object;

(ii) a location adjacent to the virtual object; and

(iii) a location within the virtual object.

54. A method of modifying a virtual object in a virtual environment, the method comprising the steps of:

rendering a virtual object within a virtual environment, the virtual object having an initial shape;

rendering a plurality of construction planes within the virtual environment, wherein the construction planes form a stack;

rendering a virtual tool in the virtual environment, wherein the virtual tool is responsive to a user-operated interface device;

rendering a sketch on each of at least two of the construction planes in accordance with movement of the virtual tool; and

modifying the initial shape of the virtual object according to an interpolation among the sketches.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the user-operated interface device is a haptic interface device.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein at least one of the construction planes is capable of occupying a smaller cross-sectional area than the virtual object.

57. The method of claim 54, wherein the modifying step comprises at least one of:

(i) adding virtual material to the virtual object; and

(ii) removing virtual material from the virtual object.

58. The method of claim 54, wherein at least one of the construction planes is capable of being positioned at at least one of:

(i) a location external to the virtual object;

(ii) a location adjacent to the virtual object; and

(iii) a location within the virtual object.

59. An apparatus for modifying a virtual object in a virtual environment, the apparatus comprising:

a user-operated interface device;

a memory upon which machine-readable code is stored, the code defining a set of instructions for;

rendering a virtual object within a virtual environment, the virtual object having an initial shape;

rendering a construction plane within the virtual environment;

rendering a virtual tool in the virtual environment, wherein the virtual tool is responsive to the user-operated haptic interface device;

rendering a sketch on the construction plane in accordance with a movement of the virtual tool; and

modifying the initial shape of the virtual object according to the sketch.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the user-operated interface device is a haptic interface device.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the virtual object is three-dimensional.