NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A 3D VIRTUAL SCENE

• US 20090079740A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: Fitzmaurice, George, Khan, Azam, Matejka, Justin, Mordatch, Igor, Kurtenbach, Gord
• Granted Patent: US 8,665,272 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/427
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/003 Navigation within 3D models or images
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides a zoom tool that allows a user to designate a target point in a scene and zoom relative to that target point.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

allowing a user to designate a zoom for a view in a three-dimensional scene and a visible target point; and

zooming the view one of toward and away from the visible target point.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the target point is an intersection point of the cursor with an object when the cursor is over an object and a fixed distance point when the cursor in not over the object.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the target point is an intersection point of the cursor with an object when the cursor is over an object and a variable distance point when the cursor in not over the object where the variable distance point is determined responsive to a closest point of a model in the scene.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein zoom in stops at the target point and at model boundary.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein zoom travels a predetermined distance relative to the target point.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein zoom direction is controlled by a key.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein zoom travels a distance relative to the target point responsive to cursor dragging.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

allowing a user to define a zoomed view; and

zooming to the zoomed view.

9. A method, comprising:

allowing a user to designate a zoom for a view in a scene and a target point where the target point is an intersection point of the cursor with an object when the cursor is over an object and a space point a distance from the view when the cursor in not over the object; and

zooming the view one of toward and away from the target point by a predetermined distance along a vector pointing to the point where zooming stops at the target point and a model boundary.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer allowing a user to designate a visible target point in a view of a three-dimensional scene on the display, zooming toward the point.

11. A computer readable storage for controlling a computer apparatus, comprising:

a program allowing a user to designate a zoom for a view in a scene and a target point, and zooming the view one of toward and away from the target point.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a display showing a view of a three-dimensional scene zooming relative to a visible target point responsive to the user designating zoom and the target point and displaying a representation of a relative position of the view relative to the target point when a user to designates the target point as a model point on a model in the view on the display.