Three-dimensional point-in-polygon operation to facilitate visualizing 3d locations enclosed by 3d geometric regions

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for visualizing location of a 3D location relative to a 3D geometric region, the method comprising:

• translating each face of the 3D geometric region onto a reference plane to generate corresponding 2D geometric regions;
• performing, for a first of the 2D geometric regions, a 2D point-in-polygon (PIP) operation using an index of open line segments to determine that the first 2D geometric region encloses a translation of the 3D location onto the reference plane;
• determining that the 3D location is enclosed by the 3D geometric region;
• and
• causing a presentation of a visual representation based on the determination that the 3D location is enclosed by the 3D geometric region.

A system for visualizing location of a 3D location relative to a 3D geometric region, comprising:

• at least one processor and at least one associated memory;
• and
• a display mechanism that executes on the at least one processor and is configured to:
• translate each face of the 3D geometric region onto a reference plane to generate corresponding 2D geometric regions;
• perform, for a first of the 2D geometric regions, a 2D point-in-polygon (PIP) operation using an index of open line segments to determine that the first 2D geometric region encloses a translation of the 3D location onto the reference plane;
• determine that the 3D location is enclosed by the 3D geometric region;
• and
• cause a presentation of a visual representation based on the determination that the 3D location is enclosed by the 3D geometric region.