NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A 3D VIRTUAL SCENE

• US 20090083628A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: Fitzmaurice, George, Schrag, John, Matejka, Justin, Leverock, Marsha
• Application Number:
  US12/200,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20090083628A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/711
• 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 walk tool GUI that has a quite motion zone in which a cursor can be moved without causing view motion and arrow cursors that control direction and speed when positioned relative to the zone.

Claims

1. A graphical user interface displayed on a display, comprising:

a cursor indicating directions of possible movement of a view of the scene; and

a zone initially positioned surrounding the cursor in which cursor movement does not cause the view to move within the scene.

2. An interface as recited in claim 1, further comprising an arrow shaped cursor indicating a direction of view movement when a user designated position is outside the zone.

3. An interface as recited in claim 2, wherein a distance of the arrow cursor from the zone indicates motion speed of the view and direction of the arrow cursor from the zone indicates turning direction of the view

4. An interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the cursor and zone are located in a lower center portion of the view.

5. An interface as recited in claim 1, wherein a current cursor switches into an initial walk cursor and is warped to the center of the zone graphic appearing in a horizontal center and a predetermined distance from a bottom of the view.

6. An interface as recited in claim 1, further comprising helper text shown below the zone.

7. A graphical user interface displayed on a display, comprising:

a multi arrow shaped cursor indicating directions of possible horizontal movement of a view of the scene;

zone initially positioned surrounding the cursor in which cursor movement does not cause the view to move within the scene; and

an arrow shaped cursor having a position relative to the zone indicating a direction and speed of view movement when a user designated position is outside the zone.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer producing a cursor on the display indicating directions of possible movement of a view of a scene and a zone initially positioned surrounding the cursor in which cursor movement does not cause the view to move within the scene.

9. A computer readable storage for controlling a computer comprising a program producing a cursor on a display indicating directions of possible movement of a view of a scene and zone initially positioned surrounding the cursor in which cursor movement does not cause the view to move within the scene.

10. A method, comprising:

producing a cursor indicating directions of possible movement of a view of the scene; and

producing a zone initially positioned surrounding the cursor in which cursor movement does not cause the view to move within the scene.