3-D Model View Manipulation Apparatus
AssigneeIntergraph Technologies Company
InventorCurtis G. Werline
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A 3-D view manipulation apparatus surrounds a 3-D model displayed on a display device, and allows a user to manipulate the view of the model by manipulating the apparatus, without having to divert the user's view from the model. The apparatus is transparent or semi-transparent, such that all of its surfaces are simultaneously visible. The apparatus may include control features on its surface, edges, or corners to facilitate changing the view of the model to a vantage point from or through that control feature. The apparatus may include a set of orthogonal axes at its center, about which the model may be made to rotate.
Claims40
A method of displaying a three-dimensional scene on a display device, the method comprising:
- processing graphics data to render a three-dimensional object;
- displaying the object;
- rendering a three-dimensional representation of a view manipulation apparatus;
- displaying the apparatus such that the apparatus surrounds the object, and the apparatus and object maintain a fixed orientation relative to one another when the orientation of the apparatus is manipulated on the display device.
A computer program product for use on a computer system for displaying a three-dimensional scene on a display device, the computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code thereon, the computer readable program code comprising:
- program code for processing graphics data to render a three-dimensional object;
- program code for displaying the object;
- program code for rendering a three-dimensional representation of a view manipulation apparatus;
- program code for displaying the apparatus such that the apparatus surrounds the object and maintains a fixed orientation relative to the object when the orientation of the apparatus is manipulated on the display device.
An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional scene on a display device, the apparatus comprising:
- an object display module capable of processing graphics data to render a three-dimensional image of an object and capable of displaying the object;
- a view manipulation apparatus module capable of rendering a three-dimensional image of a view manipulation apparatus comprising a plurality of faces and visible edges, and capable of displaying the apparatus surrounding the object such that the apparatus maintains a fixed orientation relative to the object when the orientation of the apparatus is moved on the display device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.