Three-dimensional graphic apparatus simplifying neighboring arrangement

• US 5,825,365 A
• Filed: 02/02/1996
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LD Technology LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Kamada, Hiroshi, Yumoto, Asako, Suzuki, Kaori, Kasai, Satoshi, Shibata, Kazumi, Tada, Atsuko, Hirota, Katsuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): BUCHEL JR, RUDOLPH JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/595,656
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 345/418-420, 345/427, 345/433-438, 345/440-442, 364/468.03, 364/468.04, 364/468.09, 364/468.1, 364/474.24, 364/574
• US Class Current: 345/678
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/20 Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/04 Architectural design, interior design
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2004 Aligning objects, relative positioning of parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2016 Rotation, translation, scaling

Abstract

A three-dimensional graphic apparatus generates a three-dimensional image using computer graphics, in which the positional relationship between matters, such as furniture in a three-dimensional image, can be changed readily and accurately. A moving object indication unit indicates one of the matters in the three-dimensional image as an object matter. A search direction indication unit indicates a search direction of a base polygon constituting a base matter coming into contact with the object matter, from a notice point of a line of sight. A base polygon search unit selects, from among polygons located on a straight line extending from the notice point in the search direction, a polygon closest to the notice point as the base polygon. An object polygon selection unit selects an object polygon, which is a polygon to be brought into contact, from among polygons constituting the object matter. A neighboring unit rotates the object matter so that the object polygon will be parallel to the base polygon and moves the object matter so that the object polygon will be parallel to the base polygon and moves the object matter so that the object polygon and the base polygon lie on the same plane.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional graphic apparatus for generating a three-dimensional image by means of computer graphics, comprising:

a moving object indication means for indicating one of matters in a three-dimensional image as an object matter;

a search direction indication means for indicating a search direction of a base polygon, which is a polygon constituting of a base matter coming into contact with said object matter, from a notice point of a line of sight;

a base polygon search means that selects a polygon closest to said notice point as said base polygon from among polygons locating on a straight line extended from said notice point in said search direction;

an object polygon selection means for selecting an object polygon, which is a polygon to be brought into contact, from among polygons constituting said object matter;

a neighboring means for rotating said object matter so that said object polygon will be parallel to said base polygon and for moving said object matter so that said object polygon and said base polygon will lie on the same plane.

2. A three-dimensional graphic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment means for displacing a matter to be moved while retaining a state, in which said object polygon and said base polygon lie on the same plane, through interactive processing.

3. A three-dimensional graphic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said search direction indication means selects said search direction from among a plurality of directions defined in terms of the direction of a line of sight in said three-dimensional image.

4. A three-dimensional graphic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said search direction indication means selects said search direction from among a plurality of directions defined in terms of the direction of a line of sight and direction of gravity in said three-dimensional image.

5. A three-dimensional graphic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said search direction indication means selects said search direction from among a plurality of directions defined in terms of the direction of a line of sight and the world coordinate system in said three-dimensional image.

6. A three-dimensional graphic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said object polygon selection means selects said object polygon from among polygons constituting said object matter and having the smallest distance from said base polygon.

7. A three-dimensional graphic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said object polygon selection means selects polygons that are substantially parallel to said base polygon as said object polygon and said base polygon.

8. A three-dimensional graphic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said neighboring means includes a local coordinate defining means for defining object polygon local coordinates on said object polygon and base polygon local coordinates on said base polygon, a rotating means for rotating said object polygon local coordinates so that coordinate-axis planes corresponding to contact planes and containing said object polygon local coordinates and said base polygon local coordinates respectively will be parallel to each other, and a parallel moving means for moving said rotated object polygon local coordinates in said moving direction so that said coordinate-axis planes will coincide with each other.

9. A three-dimensional graphic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said neighboring means produces two polygons by dividing said base polygon, each of said two polygons includes a point of intersection of said base polygon and a line extended from said notice point in said search direction as an apex.