Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene

• US 9,021,400 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• 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, Khan, Azam
• Primary Examiner(s): Pesin, Boris
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUERTAS TORRES, AYESHA E
• Application Number:
  US12/200,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20090083671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,434 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 715/850
• 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:

determining whether a cursor in a forward tool hit zone is over a model in a three dimensional scene, an invalid operation message being displayed when the determining indicates the cursor is other than over the model;

allowing a user to designate a point on a model in a view and calculating an intersection of the point and the model;

displaying a sphere at the intersection point and setting a movement distance at a percentage of a distance between the sphere and a position of the view, the percentage being adjusted responsive to cursor motion;

setting a position of the model to a center of the view in accordance with the intersection calculated responsive to designation of the point; and

displaying a perspective slider having a distance marker positioned on the slider, wherein said displaying provides a representation of the view with the model positioned at the center of the view.

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

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

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the sphere changes size during the setting responsive to a distance from the view to the sphere.

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

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

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the slider is a perspective shaped slider.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, 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.

9. 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;

setting a position of the model to a center of the view in accordance with the intersection calculated and the percentage, responsive to a point designated by a user; and

displaying a perspective slider having a distance marker positioned on the slider, where said displaying provides a representation of the view with the model positioned at the center of the view.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer configured to;

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 determining indicates the cursor is other than 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;

setting a position of the model to a center of the view in accordance with the intersection calculated and the percentage, responsive to a point designated by a user; and

displaying a perspective slider having a distance marker positioned on the slider, where said displaying provides a representation of the view with the model positioned at the center of the view.

11. A non-transitory computer readable storage for controlling a computer apparatus to execute an operation, comprising:

determining whether a cursor in a forward tool hit zone is over a model in a three dimensional scene, an invalid operation message being displayed when the determining indicates the cursor is other than over the model;

allowing a user to designate a point on a model in a view on a display and calculating an intersection of the point and the model;

displaying a sphere at the intersection point and setting a movement distance at a percentage of a distance between the sphere and a position of the view, the percentage being adjusted responsive to cursor motion;

offsetting a position of the model as a center of the view in accordance with the intersection calculated responsive to designation of the point; and

displaying a perspective slider having a distance marker positioned on the slider, wherein said displaying provides a representation of the view with the model positioned at the center of the view.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage as recited in claim 11, wherein the designation of the point by the user causes the view to be zoomed towards the intersection of the point and the model.