Using three-dimensional virtual object models to guide users in virtual environments

One or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying software that is operable when executed to:

• render, based on a three-dimensional model, a virtual object in a three-dimensional virtual environment, wherein the rendering of the virtual object is transient and customized for a user of the virtual environment by remaining rendered in the three-dimensional virtual environment based on a determination of the user's interest in the virtual object, the customized rendering being based on a current stage of the user in a course of stages associated with a level of the user's interest, wherein the course comprises a plurality of stages grouped into pairs of stages,
• each pair of stages comprising a first stage and a next stage in the course, the next stage along the path being associated with an increased level of the user's interest;
• and
• each pair of stages being associated with one or more transition conditions such that when one or more of the transition conditions are met, the rendering of the virtual object is transitioned from the first stage to the next stage of the pair of stages,
• wherein the first stage must occur before the next stage in the pair of stages when one or more of the transition conditions are met;
• determine, in the virtual environment, the level of the user's interest in the virtual object rendered based on the current stage by detecting one or more actions by the user;
• determine that each of the detected user actions satisfies one or more of the transition conditions associated with the current stage of the user;
• update the current stage of the user from the first stage to the next stage in the pair of stages when it is determined that one or more of the transition conditions are satisfied in response to the detected user action and the increased level of the user's interest;
• and
• provide information relating to the updated current stage of the user to an interested party.

A system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and a memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors being operable when executing the instructions to:
• render, based on a three-dimensional model, a virtual object in a three-dimensional virtual environment, wherein the rendering of the virtual object is transient and customized for a user of the virtual environment by remaining rendered in the three-dimensional virtual environment based on a determination of the user's interest in the virtual object, the customized rendering being based on a current stage of the user in a course of stages associated with a level of the user's interest, wherein the course comprises a plurality of stages grouped into pairs of stages,
• each pair of stages comprising a first stage and a next stage in the course, the next stage along the path being associated with an increased level of the user's interest;
• and
• each pair of stages being associated with one or more transition conditions such that when one or more of the transition conditions are met, the rendering of the virtual object is transitioned from the first stage to the next stage of the pair of stages,
• wherein the first stage must occur before the next stage in the pair of stages when one or more of the transition conditions are met;
• determine, in the virtual environment, the level of the user's interest in the virtual object rendered based on the current stage by detecting one or more actions by the user;
• determine that each of the detected user actions satisfies one or more of the transition conditions associated with the current stage of the user;
• update the current stage of the user from the first stage to the next stage in the pair of stages when it is determined that one or more of the transition conditions are satisfied in response to the detected user action and the increased level of the user's interest;
• and
• provide information relating to the updated current stage of the user to an interested party.