×

Apparatus and process for graphically representing three-dimensional objects in two-dimensions

  • US 4,721,952 A
  • Filed: 01/03/1985
  • Issued: 01/26/1988
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1984
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A process for controlling a display device to represent a three-dimensional object such as a workpiece wherein the representation is based upon data and commands stored in a computing device such as a computer, the computing device of the type comprising means for storing data and commands, a graphic processor responsive to the stored data and commands to generate graphic data representing the object, and a display means for the visible representation of the graphic data, the improvement comprising:

  • generating coordinate data of the contours of a plurality of cross-sections through the object in dependence upon the stored data and commands, each contour defining a closed polygon, wherein the cross-sections are formed substantially parallel to one another and parallel to a plane defined by two coordinate axes of a three-dimensional coordinate system;

    adding a respective offset value to each of at least selected ones of a sequence of the contours of the object cross-sections such that the position of each contour is shifted along at least one of the two coordinate axes by a selected amount and comparing portions of each of the contours to determine the portions of each shifted contour which extend beyond preceding shifted contours; and

    displaying the sequence of contours such that only the portions of each shifted contour which extend beyond the contours of the preceding shifted contours are visibly represented.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×