Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene

• US 8,803,881 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): McDowell, Jr., Maurice L
• Application Number:
  US12/200,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20090079739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,175 Days
• Field of Search: 345/427, 345/419
• US Class Current: 345/427
• 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 in a scene and the point is moved to the center of the view.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

allowing a user to designate a point in a three dimensional view displaying an object in a scene; and

focusing the three dimensional view towards the object and stopping the focusing when the object is located at a center of the three dimensional view, where the focusing is implemented when determining the point designated is over the object.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the centering comprises panning the view until the point is in a center of the view.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the point comprises a point on a model in the scene.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the point comprises a reference point for navigation tools.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, presenting the user with an invalid operation message when the designation is not a point on a model in the view.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a message comprises an invalid cursor.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the allowing comprises:

positioning a cursor over a center tool and a point in a view to be centered; and

activating a mouse button.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the allowing further comprises displaying an invalid operation message when the cursor is not over a model in the view.

9. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the allowing further comprises moving the point as the user moves the cursor and centering the view when the cursor is released.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the allowing further comprises:

displaying a center point sphere on a model surface when the point is over a model; and

displaying an invalid operation message when the point is not over a model.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising displaying a center tool descriptor during the allowing and centering.

12. A method of designating a center in a three dimensional view, comprising:

detecting mouse button activation; and

centering the view of a scene on a center point designated by a cursor, the centering focuses towards the point and stopping the centering when the point designated is brought to a center of the view, where the centering includes;

determining whether a cursor is over a model in a view of a scene;

determining an intersection of the cursor with the model when the cursor is over the model;

displaying a center point geometry sphere at the intersection point on the model;

displaying an invalid operation cursor when the cursor is not over the model;

detecting mouse button deactivation;

determining whether the cursor is over the model;

focusing the three dimensional view until the model is in a center of the view and the model is located at a center of the three dimensional view; and

making the sphere invisible.

13. An apparatus, comprising;

a display; and

a computer allowing a user to designate a point in a three dimensional view displaying an object in a scene focusing the three dimensional view towards the object and stopping the focusing when the object is located at a center of the three dimensional view, where the focusing is implemented when determining the point designated is over the object.

14. A computer comprising:

a storage having a program stored therein to cause the computer to execute an operation including;

allowing a user to designate a point in a three dimensional view on a display, the three dimensional view displaying an object in a scene, and

focusing the three dimensional view towards the object and stopping the focusing when the object is located at a center of the three dimensional view, where the focusing is implemented when determining the point designated is over the object.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

an input providing a computer a designation of a point in a three dimensional view indicated by a user, the three dimensional view displaying an object in a scene; and

a display showing centering of the three dimensional view on the object, where the centering is stopped when the object designated in the three dimensional view becomes a center of the three dimensional view, where the focusing is implemented when determining the point designated is over the object.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, comprising:

detecting activation of a button by the user; and

moving the view using the point designated by a cursor as a center point when the button is released.