NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A 3D VIRTUAL SCENE

• US 20090083672A1
• 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: Schrag, John, Fitzmaurice, George, Khan, Azam, Matejka, Justin, Mordatch, Igor, Kurtenbach, Gord
• Application Number:
  US12/200,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20090083672A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/851
• 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 allows a user to walk the view along a horizontal plane in the view where a dead zone is provided in which no motion occurs when the cursor is in the zone and motion direction and speed is controlled by the relative position of the cursor with respect to the zone.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

allowing a user to designate walking; and

moving a view along a horizontal plane of a scene responsive to user inputs.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising initially warping a cursor to a dead zone located in a horizontal center of the view and adjacent to a bottom of the view.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein walking is relative to a horizontal center of the view and adjacent a bottom of the view.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the walking comprises:

positioning a walk cursor in a zone; and

moving the view when the cursor is moved outside the zone.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the walking further comprises moving the view in a direction indicated by a relative location of the cursor with respect to the zone.

6. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the walking further comprises displaying a motion direction cursor during the moving.

7. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the walking further comprises moving the view at a speed responsive to a distance of the cursor from the zone.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising activating an up/down navigation function allowing movement along an up axis of the scene when a hot key is activated.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising storing rewind events periodically during the moving.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising switching to walk in the current viewing direction.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising moving a cursor into a dead zone to thereby stop and reset a speed to zero when cursor-wrapping occurs.

12. A method of walking in a three dimensional scene, comparing:

detecting activation of a mouse button;

moving the cursor to a zone;

setting a view speed to zero when the cursor is in the zone;

increasing the view speed when the cursor is above the zone responsive to a distance the cursor is from the zone;

decreasing the view speed when the cursor is below the zone responsive to a distance the cursor is from the zone;

rotating a view direction right when the cursor is to the right of the zone responsive to a distance the cursor is to the right of the zone;

rotating the view direction left when the cursor is to the left of the zone responsive to a distance the cursor is to the left of the zone; and

moving the view responsive to the view speed and direction.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer allowing a user to designate walking and moving a view on the display along a horizontal plane of a scene responsive to user inputs.

14. A computer readable storage for controlling a computer apparatus comprising a program allowing a user to designate walking and moving a view display along a horizontal plane of a scene responsive to user inputs.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a display showing a view moving in a display along a horizontal plane of a scene responsive to user inputs and a designation of a walking movement.