Follower method for three dimensional images
First Claim
1. A method for following a geometrical feature of a selected part in a three-dimensional computer model including the part, said model being displayed on a computer screen and said method comprising the steps of:
- selecting a part from a three-dimensional computer model; and
following the part along a geometrical feature thereof while simultaneously and automatically removing any obstacles in the three-dimensional model that impede viewing of the part so as to permit viewing of the part as the part is being followed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-based method enables a selected part of a three-dimensional image on a screen to the followed throughout the three-dimensional image. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a part included in the image, removing any obstacles included in the image that impede viewing of the part, moving a cursor along the part while constraining the movement of the cursor to the selected part, and, while moving the cursor, automatically removing, in a selected area of the viewing screen, any further obstacles appearing that impede viewing of the part during moving of the cursor so that the cursor can follow the geometry of the part. Thus, a user is provided with an unimpeded view of the part in the selected area when following the geometry of the part.
104 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A method for following a geometrical feature of a selected part in a three-dimensional computer model including the part, said model being displayed on a computer screen and said method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a part from a three-dimensional computer model; and following the part along a geometrical feature thereof while simultaneously and automatically removing any obstacles in the three-dimensional model that impede viewing of the part so as to permit viewing of the part as the part is being followed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A computer-based method for enabling a selected part of a three-dimensional image on a screen to be followed throughout the three-dimensional image, said method comprising the steps of:
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selecting a part included in a three-dimensional image on a viewing screen; removing any obstacles included in the three-dimensional image that impede viewing of the selected part; moving a cursor along the selected part while constraining movement of the cursor to the selected part; and while moving the cursor, automatically removing, in a selected area of the screen, any further obstacles appearing in front of the part that impede viewing of the part during moving of the cursor along the part so that the cursor can follow the geometry of the part and thereby provide a user with an unimpeded view of the selected part in said selected area of the screen during said moving of the cursor in following the geometry of the part. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for following a geometrical feature of a selected part in a three-dimensional computer model displayed on a viewing screen of a computer device including a keyboard, said method comprising the steps of:
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accessing a part to be selected by removing any obstacles in the three-dimensional model that impede viewing of the part in response to depressing a first key of the keyboard; selecting the part using a second key; moving a cursor along a geometrical feature of the selected part so as to follow the geometrical feature; and while moving the cursor, automatically removing any further obstacles appearing in front of the part that impede viewing of the part during moving of the cursor along the part so that the cursor can follow the geometrical feature of the part and thereby provide a user with an unimpeded view of the selected part during said moving of the cursor, wherein as the cursor is moved, the view of the model displayed on the screen is changed so as to display a further portion of the model located in the direction of cursor movement that was not previously displayed. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification