NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A 3D VIRTUAL SCENE

• US 20090083671A1
• 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, Khan, Azam, Matejka, Justin, Mordatch, Igor, Kurtenbach, Gord
• Granted Patent: US 9,021,400 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 designate a point on a model and the system moves the view toward that point. A perspective scale is provided that shows the user the relative position of the current view from the starting point of the view to the surface point.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

allowing the user to designate a point on a model in a view;

moving the view toward the point; and

displaying a representation of a position of the view relative to the point.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the moving comprising moving the view forward by a predetermined percentage of a distance from an initial view position to the point.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is 50% of the distance.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the moving comprising moving the view relative to the point responsive to cursor motion.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the point is displayed as a sphere.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the sphere changes size during the moving responsive to a distance from the view to the sphere.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising

displaying a slider as the representation;

and

changing a position of a perspectively sized distance marker on the slider responsive to the moving.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the slider is a perspective shaped slider.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the moving comprising:

stopping forward motion when the point is reached; and

allowing motion beyond the point when the user continues to indicate forward motion for a period of time after the stopping.

10. A method of moving a view in a forward and backwards direction in a three dimensional scene, comprising:

detecting activation of a mouse button when a cursor is in a forward tool hit zone;

determining whether the cursor is over a model in the scene and displaying an invalid operation message when the cursor is not over the model;

calculating an intersection of the cursor and the model when the cursor is over the model;

displaying a sphere at the intersection point;

setting a movement distance at a percentage of a distance between the sphere and a position of the view;

adjusting the percentage responsive to cursor motion;

moving the view responsive to the percentage; and

displaying a perspective slider having a distance marker positioned on the slider responsive to the percentage.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer allowing a user to designate a point on a model in a view on the display, moving the view toward the point and displaying a representation of a position of the view relative to the point.

12. A computer readable storage for controlling a computer apparatus, comprising:

a program allowing a user to designate a point on a model in a view on the display, moving the view toward the point and displaying a representation of a position of the view relative to the point.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

a display showing a view moving toward a point and displaying a representation of a position of the view relative to the point when a user to designates the point on a model in the view on the display.