Method and system for generating a holographic image having simulated physical properties

A computer program product comprising:

• a computer-readable storage device;
• and
• a computer-readable program code stored in the computer-readable storage device, the computer readable program code containing instructions executable by a processor of a computer system to implement a method of generating a hologram image, the method comprising:
• generating a virtual object, said virtual object being assigned a location within a virtual space of a virtual environment and a movement state at the location;
• assigning physical properties to said virtual object using metadata, said physical properties including at least a material of the virtual object and accompanying material properties;
• determining a position of a virtual tool;
• receiving signals from said virtual tool, wherein said signals include information related to movement of said virtual tool relative to said virtual object;
• calculating an interactive force generated on the virtual object by said virtual tool based on said signals from said virtual tool and said position of said virtual tool;
• generating a deformed modified virtual object based on application of said interactive force to said virtual object, wherein the deformed modified virtual object includes an update to at least one of the location and the movement state, and wherein said physical properties assigned to said virtual object are accounted for in the deformed modified virtual object and the update to at least one of the location and the movement state;
• and
• displaying said deformed modified virtual object as a holographic image within the virtual space of the virtual environment.

A computer system for creating a virtual object in a virtual environment, the system comprising:

• a central processing unit (CPU);
• a memory coupled to said CPU;
• and
• a computer readable storage device coupled to the CPU, the storage device containing instructions executable by the CPU via the memory to implement a method of creating a virtual object, the method comprising the steps of:
• generating a virtual object, said virtual object being assigned a location within a virtual space of a virtual environment and a movement state at the location;
• assigning physical properties to the virtual object via computer input, said physical properties including at least a material of the virtual object and accompanying material properties;
• determining a position of a virtual tool in the virtual environment corresponding to a location of a user in real space;
• receiving signals from said virtual tool, wherein the signals include information related to movement of said virtual tool relative to said virtual object;
• calculating forces generated on the virtual object by said virtual tool based on said signals and said position of said virtual tool;
• modifying the shape of said virtual object according to said calculated forces generated by said virtual tool, wherein the deformed modified virtual object includes an update to at least one of the location and the movement state, and wherein said physical properties assigned to said virtual object are accounted for in the deformed modified virtual object and the update to at least one of the location and the movement state;
• and
• displaying said deformed modified virtual object as a holographic image within the virtual space of the virtual environment.