Surface detail mapping system
AssigneeCDI Technologies, Inc.
InventorEdward K. Falk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for providing surface detail to computer generated two-dimensional graphic images of apparel or other free-form surfaces such that the three-dimensional appearance of the image is provided or enhanced. That is accomplished through a combination of user-controlled mesh generation for providing the topology of the image "surface" and a texture-mapping technique for applying the surface detail once the mesh has been generated. The system and method of the present invention may be used as one function of a larger two-dimensional computer aided design system for apparel, footwear, textiles, interior design, or other applications where the user may wish to add surface detail to a two-dimensional computer image of a three-dimensional object or surface.
Claims27
In a computer-assisted design system, a method for providing surface detail to computer generated two-dimensional graphic images of three-dimensional surfaces to create a three-dimensional appearance comprising:
- generating a perspective mesh on said computer-generated two-dimensional graphic image such that said mesh creates a three-dimensional visual appearance;
- mapping surface detail to said mesh point-by-point such that said surface detail produces a three-dimensional appearance;
- and
- producing a graphic visual image of said two-dimensional graphic image with said surface detail applied.
In a computer-assisted design system, a method for providing surface detail to computer generated two-dimensional graphic images of three-dimensional surfaces to create a three-dimensional appearance comprising:
- a. producing a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object in a digital form for storage and processing by a digital computer;
- b. dividing said two-dimensional image into segments, each segment representing a portion of said three-dimensional object;
- c. circumscribing said segments by polygons in digital form for storage and processing by said digital computer;
- d. generating at least one mesh within each segment wherein said at least one mesh creates a three-dimensional visual appearance;
- e. repeating steps b-d until meshes have been generated for all segments of said two-dimensional image;
- f. storing said segments with said meshes in a data storage unit;
- g. producing at least one image of surface detail in the form of a rectangular array of pixels for storage and processing by a digital computer;
- h. storing said surface detail images in said data storage unit;
- i. mapping said surface detail to said mesh within each said segment such that said surface detail produces a three-dimensional appearance;
- and
- j. producing a graphical visual image of said two-dimensional image covered by said surface detail wherein said image presents a three-dimensional appearance.
a system for providing surface detail to computer-generated two-dimensional graphic images in a computer-assisted design system of three-dimensional free-form surfaces to create a three-dimensional appearance comprising:
- means for producing a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object in a form for storage and processing by a digital computer;
- means for dividing said two-dimensional image into segments, each segment representing a portion of said object;
- means for circumscribing said segments by polygons in digital form for storage and processing by a digital computer;
- means for generating at least one mesh within each segment wherein said at least one mesh creates a three-dimensional visual appearance;
- means for producing at least one image of surface detail in the form of a rectangular array of pixels for storage and processing by a digital computer;
- means for storing said surface detail image in a data storage unit accessable by said digital computer;
- means for mapping said surface detail to said mesh within said segment such that said surface detail produces a three-dimensional appearance;
- and
- means for creating a graphic visual image of said two-dimensional image, covered by said surface detail, giving a three-dimensional appearance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.