Method for visualizing cutting path in simulation apparatus and simulation device for performing the same

A simulation apparatus for cutting a target object by using a cutting tool in a virtual environment, the simulation apparatus comprising:

• an input module configured to receive an input of a user and transmit an input signal to a controller;
• the controller configured to transmit a cutting image signal to a display module based on the input signal;
• and
• the display module configured to provide image information to the user based on the cutting image signal,
• wherein the controller includes:
• a first module configured to periodically set a first point representing a start portion of the cutting tool and a second point representing an end portion of the cutting tool based on the input signal, and obtain a third point representing an intersection of the target object and the cutting tool based on the first point and the second point;
• a second module configured to receive the first point, the second point, and the third point from the first module, and calculate an incident depth and an incident angle of the cutting tool based on a normal vector that is orthogonal to a first plane of the target object including the third point, the first point, the second point, and the third point;
• a third module configured to receive the third point from the first module, receive the incident depth and the incident angle from the second module, and generate a normal map based on the incident angle, the incident depth, a first depth representing a maximum depth at which the target object is able to be cut by the cutting tool, and the third point;
• and
• a fourth module configured to receive normal maps, which are generated as a result of repeatedly performing an operation of obtaining the third point by the first module, an operation of calculating the incident depth and the incident angle by the second module, and an operation of generating the normal map by the third module, from the third module, and generate the cutting image signal for visualizing a cutting path representing lines obtained by connecting a plurality of third points to each other based on the normal maps.

A method for visualizing a cutting path in a simulation apparatus, which is for cutting a target object by using a cutting tool in a virtual environment, the method comprising:

• a first step of setting a first point representing a start portion of the cutting tool and a second point representing an end portion of the cutting tool;
• a second step of obtaining a third point representing an intersection of the target object and the cutting tool based on the first point and the second point;
• a third step of obtaining a distance between the second point and the third point as an incident depth;
• a fourth step of obtaining an angle formed between a vector generated based on the first point and the second point and a normal vector that is orthogonal to a first plane of the target object including the third point as an incident angle;
• a fifth step of setting coordinates at which a normal map is to be generated based on the third point;
• a sixth step of calculating a fourth point representing a point at which the target object is cut most deeply based on the incident angle;
• a seventh step of generating the normal map having an RGB value determined based on the incident depth and the fourth point;
• and
• an eighth step of visualizing the cutting path representing lines obtained by connecting a plurality of third points to each other based on normal maps generated as a result of repeatedly performing the first to seventh steps.