Collaborative three-dimensional digital model construction

A computer program product comprising:

• a computer readable storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method comprising:
• identifying an anchor point of reference in a physical environment, the anchor point of reference being a common point in each field of view of a plurality of users co-located in the physical environment;
• establishing a grid structure in a field of view of a first user, of the plurality of users, using a mobile device of the first user, wherein the grid structure is a three-dimensional augmented reality object virtually positioned based on the anchor point of reference at a common, static location in the physical environment relative to the plurality of users for presentation to the plurality of users;
• selecting a user-specific point of reference for the first user, the user-specific point of reference for the first user corresponding to one or more cells of the grid structure against which the first user is to work in contributing to a collaborative construction by the plurality of users of a three-dimensional digital model in augmented reality;
• based on receiving input from the first user, placing augmented reality digital model elements of the three-dimensional digital model into the one or more cells of the grid structure, wherein contribution of the digital model elements by the first user to the three-dimensional digital model are reflected in the grid structure for the plurality of users;
• ascertaining a volume of cells of the grid structure occupied by digital model elements of the three-dimensional digital model;
• applying a scaling factor to the ascertained volume, the scaling factor being based on a scale at which the three-dimensional model is being constructed relative to a physical object to be constructed that is being modeled by the three-dimensional digital model, the applying providing an indication of a volume to be occupied by the physical object;
• and
• determining an anticipated material cost to build the physical object based on the indicated volume to be occupied by the physical object.

A computer system comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor in communication with the memory, wherein the computer system is configured to perform a method comprising:
• identifying an anchor point of reference in a physical environment, the anchor point of reference being a common point in each field of view of a plurality of users co-located in the physical environment;
• establishing a grid structure in a field of view of a first user, of the plurality of users, using a mobile device of the first user, wherein the grid structure is a three-dimensional augmented reality object virtually positioned based on the anchor point of reference at a common, static location in the physical environment relative to the plurality of users for presentation to the plurality of users;
• selecting a user-specific point of reference for the first user, the user-specific point of reference for the first user corresponding to one or more cells of the grid structure against which the first user is to work in contributing to a collaborative construction by the plurality of users of a three-dimensional digital model in augmented reality;
• based on receiving input from the first user, placing augmented reality digital model elements of the three-dimensional digital model into the one or more cells of the grid structure, wherein contribution of the digital model elements by the first user to the three-dimensional digital model are reflected in the grid structure for the plurality of users;
• ascertaining a volume of cells of the grid structure occupied by digital model elements of the three-dimensional digital model;
• applying a scaling factor to the ascertained volume, the scaling factor being based on a scale at which the three-dimensional model is being constructed relative to a physical object to be constructed that is being modeled by the three-dimensional digital model, the applying providing an indication of a volume to be occupied by the physical object;
• and
• determining an anticipated material cost to build the physical object based on the indicated volume to be occupied by the physical object.