NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A 3D VIRTUAL SCENE

• US 20090083645A1
• 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 9,891,783 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/768
• 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 scale GUIs that are positioned in the view and show the view position in the scene.

Claims

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

a slider for indicating a position in a three dimensional scene for a view of the scene relative to an object in the scene; and

a marker positioned on the slider indicating the position.

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

a perspective shaped slider for indicating slider related information; and

a distance marker positioned on the slider indicating a distance to a surface of the object.

3. An interface as recited in claim 2, wherein the slider related information comprises a position in a three dimensional scene for a view of the scene relative to an object in the scene.

4. An interface as recited in claim 3, further comprising a text label labeling a surface end of the slider and a text label labeling a start position of the view.

5. An interface as recited in claim 3, wherein the distance marker moves as the view moves.

6. A interface as recited in claim 3, further comprising pass through markers indicating the view can move past end markers of the slider.

7. An interface as recited in claim 3, wherein motion past end point markers of the slider has a resistance zone where the distance marker does not move until motion is through a resistance zone and the distance marker again is visually shown moving.

8. An interface as recited in claim 3, wherein the distance marker has a size proportional to the distance.

9. An interface as recited in claim 3, wherein the slider changes transparency responsive to an apparent position of parts of the slider in the scene.

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

a perspective shaped slider for indicating a position in a three dimensional scene for a view of the scene relative to an object in the scene in a direction orthogonal to a view plane of the view;

a distance marker positioned on the slider indicating a distance to a surface of the object; and

a text label labeling a surface end of the slider and a text label labeling a start position of the view.

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

a slider for indicating a vertical position in a three dimensional scene for a view of the scene; and

a marker positioned on the slider indicating the vertical position.

12. An interface as recited in claim 11, wherein movement of the marker moves the position

13. An interface as recited in claim 11, wherein the marker vertically moves as the view vertically moves.

14. An interface as recited in claim 11, further comprising a top text label labeling a top model end of the slider and a bottom text label labeling a bottom model end of the slider.

15. An interface as recited in claim 11, further comprising a start position marker positioned on the slider and indicating a start position of view motion.

16. An interface as recited in claim 11, further comprising user or system annotation labels (text or graphics) added on or near the slider.

17. An interface as recited in claim 11, further comprising a controls to cause movement by a predetermined distance.

18. An interface as recited in claim 11, further comprising snapping at predetermined points along the slider.

19. An interface as recited in claim 11, further comprising temporarily leveling a camera before and after actions are with the slider.

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

a slider for indicating a vertical position in a three dimensional scene for a view of the scene relative to an up vector for the scene;

a marker positioned on the slider indicating the vertical position;

a top text label labeling a top model end of the slider; and

a bottom text label labeling a bottom model end of the slider.

21. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer displaying a slider on the display for indicating a position in a three dimensional scene for a view of the scene relative to an object in the scene and a marker positioned on the slider indicating the position.

22. A computer readable storage for controlling a computer apparatus comprising a program displaying a slider on a display for indicating a position in a three dimensional scene for a view of the scene relative to an object in the scene and a marker positioned on the slider indicating the position.

23. A method, comprising:

displaying a slider on a display for indicating a position in a three dimensional scene for a view of the scene relative to an object in the scene; and

displaying a marker positioned on the slider indicating the position.