Graphics processing apparatus and method for computing the distance between three-dimensional graphic elements

A graphics processing method comprising:

• an inputting step of inputting a first three-dimensional graphic element and a second three-dimensional graphic element selected by selecting means;
• a projection plane determination step of determining a projection plane onto which the first and second graphic elements are to be projected in accordance with shapes of the first and second graphic elements;
• a projecting step of projecting the first three-dimensional graphic element and the second three-dimensional graphic element onto the projection plane;
• a deriving step of deriving a distance between the first and second three-dimensional graphic elements from first and second graphic elements obtained by projecting the first and second three-dimensional graphic elements onto the projection plane;
• and
• a display control step of controlling a display of the derived distance.