NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A 3D VIRTUAL SCENE

• US 20090083669A1
• 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, Khan, Azam, Matejka, Justin, Mordatch, Igor, Kurtenbach, Gord
• Application Number:
  US12/200,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20090083669A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/850
• 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 focus point that can be positioned on a model surface and with respect to which the tools of the system operate. The point is a geometry sphere that can have axial rings that show the orientation of the scene and the relative position of the view in the scene based on sphere size.

Claims

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

a three dimensional geometry sphere designating an operation point in a three dimensional scene.

2. An interface as recited in claim 1, further comprising axial rings around a perimeter of the sphere.

3. An interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the sphere is semitransparent when the sphere is occluded by scene geometry and solid when not occluded.

4. An interface as recited in claim 1, further comprising a text label associated with the sphere have a function descriptor corresponding to a tool being used.

5. An interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the sphere can only reside in association with a model surface for certain tools.

6. An interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the sphere becomes more transparent as a view gets closer during a camera movement operation until the sphere is completely transparent.

7. An interface as recited in claim 1, wherein a size of the sphere resets after any camera movement operation.

8. An interface as recited in claim 1, wherein when the sphere is interactively moved within the three dimensional scene, a size of the sphere size changes responsive to depth location information.

9. An interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the sphere casts a three dimensional shadow.

10. An interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the sphere has a texture.

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

a three dimensional geometry sphere designating an operation point in a three dimensional scene;

axial rings around a perimeter of the sphere; and

a text label associated with the sphere have a function descriptor corresponding to a tool being used.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer displaying a three dimensional geometry sphere on the display designating an operation point in a three dimensional scene.

13. A computer readable storage for controlling a computer apparatus comprising a program displaying a three dimensional geometry sphere on a display designating an operation point in a three dimensional scene.

14. A method, comprising:

displaying a three dimensional geometry sphere on a display designating an operation point in a three dimensional scene.