NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A 3D VIRTUAL SCENE

• US 20090083673A1
• 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, Matejka, Justin, Mordatch, Igor, Kurtenbach, Gord
• Granted Patent: US 10,564,798 B2
• 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 move up and down within a scene relative to an up axis of the scene without the user being displaced horizontally. A scale is provided that shows the user the relative position of the current view in the vertical bounding box of the scene.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

allowing a user to designate up/down motion of a view in a scene; and

moving the view up/down corresponding to an up axis of the scene responsive to the users designating.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a position of the view is limited by a model bounding box.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein mouse motion upward relative to the scene moves the view up and mouse motion downward relative to the scene moves the view down.

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

displaying an up/down slider in the view; and

adjusting a position of an up/down position marker on the slider responsive to an up/down position of the view.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the moving further comprises displaying a starting position for the view on the slider.

6. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein top and bottom text is positioned adjacent top and bottom slider markers corresponding to bounding box limits.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the moving is non-linear

8. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising temporarily leveling a camera before and after actions are performed while using the slider.

9. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the slider comprises graphics, annotations and tick marks to indicate application specific information or sizing/scale information.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising drag snapping at designated points along the slider for precise movement.

11. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the slider is semi-transparent.

12. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the slider to initially appear near a current cursor position.

13. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a controls to go up or down a predetermined distance.

14. A method of moving up and down in a three dimensional scene, comprising:

detecting activation of a mouse button;

displaying an up down/slider with a position marker positioned on the slider indicating a position of a view relative to top and bottom bounding box limits;

moving the view up and down in the scene along an up axis of the scene responsive to up and down cursor motion relative to the scene; and

updating the up/down slider responsive to view position.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer allowing a user to designate up/down motion of a view in a scene and moving the view up and down on the display corresponding to an up axis of the scene responsive to the users designating.

16. A computer readable storage for controlling a computer apparatus comprising a program allowing a user to designate up/down motion of a view in a scene and moving the view up and down on the display corresponding to an up axis of the scene responsive to the users designating.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a display showing a up or down moving view of a scene responsive to a user to designation of up/down motion of the view in a scene and corresponding to an up axis of the scene.