Three-dimensional interior design system

A method in a client-server computing environment for generating and rendering a photorealistic three-dimensional (3D) perspective view of a 3D object selectively positioned within a 3D scene, the method comprising:

• (a) loading a plurality of 3D objects onto a server, at least one of the 3D objects representing a product;
• (b) loading product ordering information for each product onto the server;
• (c) loading a client application configured for scene editing, applying luminosity, and rendering, including a graphical user interface (GUI), onto the server;
• (d) combining the plurality of 3D objects, with their integrated product ordering information, to form integrated 3D objects;
• (e) converting the integrated 3D objects into a format usable by the client application;
• (f) storing the integrated formatted 3D objects in a server library;
• (g) communicably coupling the server to a client;
• (h) transmitting the client application to the client;
• (i) transmitting selected ones of plurality of 3D objects from the server library to a client library;
• (j) automatically updating the plurality of 3D objects in the server library, including their associated product ordering information;
• (k) automatically transmitting updates for the selected ones of 3D objects in the server library, to the client;
• wherein a user manipulates and applies luminosity to the selected 3D objects with the client application to generate a photorealistic 3D scene at the client.

A computer system in an interactive medium for generating and rendering a photorealistic three-dimensional (3D) perspective view of a 3D object selectively positioned within a 3D scene, said system comprising:

• a server including:
• a plurality of 3D objects, each of the 3D objects representing a product;
• product ordering information for each of the plurality of objects;
• integrated 3D objects, including the plurality of 3D objects with their integrated product ordering information;
• a converter configured to convert the integrated 3D objects into a format usable by the client application;
• a server library containing the formatted, integrated 3D objects;
• a communication module configured to communicably couple the server to a client;
• an update module configured to automatically update the plurality of 3D objects in the server library for dimensional and product ordering changes;
• a client communicably couplable to the server, the client including:
• a communication module configured to access the server;
• a client application configured for scene editing and rendering, including a graphical user interface (GUI);
• a 3D scene;
• a display module configured selectively display the 3D scene in a plurality of views;
• a retrieval module configured to retrieve at least one 3D object from the server;
• an import module configured to import the 3D object into the 3D scene to generate a composite;
• a manipulation module to manipulate the 3D object within the composite for placement and orientation;
• a first rendering engine for rendering a 3D image of the composite at the client;
• a reconfiguration module to selectively reconfigure the 3D image in real time;
• a luminosity module to apply luminosity characteristics to the 3D image;
• and
• a second rendering engine configured to render a photorealistic 3D view of the composite image, including the luminosity characteristics.

A computer system in an interactive medium for generating customized graphical documents, said system comprising a client communicably couplable to a server;

• said client including:
• a communication module configured to access the server;
• a client application configured for scene editing and rendering, including a graphical user interface (GUI);
• a 3D scene;
• a display module configured selectively display the 3D scene in a plurality of views;
• a retrieval module configured to retrieve at least one 3D object from the server;
• an import module configured to import the 3D object into the 3D scene to generate a composite;
• a manipulation module to manipulate the 3D object within the composite for placement and orientation;
• a first rendering engine for rendering a 3D image of the composite at the client;
• a reconfiguration module to selectively reconfigure the 3D image in real time;
• a luminosity module to apply luminosity characteristics to the 3D image;
• and
• a second rendering engine configured to render a photorealistic 3D view of the composite image, including the luminosity characteristics.

An article of manufacture for generating customized graphical documents, said article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for:

• providing a server with:
• a plurality of 3D objects, each of the 3D objects representing a product;
• product ordering information for each of the plurality of objects;
• a client application configured for scene editing and rendering, including a graphical user interface (GUI);
• integrated 3D objects including the plurality of 3D objects with their integrated product ordering information;
• a converter configured to convert the integrated 3D objects into a format usable by the client application;
• a server library containing the integrated 3D objects, formatted into the format usable by the client application;
• a communication module configured to communicably couple the server to a client;
• and
• an update module configured to automatically update the plurality of 3D objects in the server library for dimensional and product ordering changes;
• computer readable program code for providing a client with:
• a communication module configured to access the server;
• a client application configured for scene editing and rendering, including a graphical user interface (GUI);
• a 3D scene;
• a display module configured selectively display the 3D scene in a plurality of views;
• a retrieval module configured to retrieve at least one 3D object from the server;
• an import module configured to import the 3D object into the 3D scene to generate a composite;
• a manipulation module to manipulate the 3D object within the composite for placement and orientation;
• a first rendering engine for rendering a 3D image of the composite at the client;
• a reconfiguration module to selectively reconfigure the 3D image in real time;
• a luminosity module to apply luminosity characteristics to the 3D image;
• and
• a second rendering engine configured to render a photorealistic 3D view of the composite image, including the luminosity characteristics.

Computer readable program code for generating customized graphical documents, said computer readable program code being disposed on a computer readable medium, and configured for providing a server with:

• a plurality of 3D objects, each of the 3D objects representing a product;
• product ordering information for each of the plurality of objects;
• a client application configured for scene editing and rendering, including a graphical user interface (GUI);
• integrated 3D objects including the plurality of 3D objects with their integrated product ordering information;
• a converter configured to convert the integrated 3D objects into a format usable by the client application;
• a server library containing the integrated 3D objects, formatted into the format usable by the client application;
• a communication module configured to communicably couple the server to a client;
• and
• an update module configured to automatically update the plurality of 3D objects in the server library for dimensional and product ordering changes;
• and
• computer readable program code for providing a client with:
• a communication module configured to access the server;
• a client application configured for scene editing and rendering, including a graphical user interface (GUI);
• a 3D scene;
• a display module configured selectively display the 3D scene in a plurality of views;
• a retrieval module configured to retrieve at least one 3D object from the server;
• an import module configured to import the 3D object into the 3D scene to generate a composite;
• a manipulation module to manipulate the 3D object within the composite for placement and orientation;
• a first rendering engine for rendering a 3D image of the composite at the client;
• a reconfiguration module to selectively reconfigure the 3D image in real time;
• a luminosity module to apply luminosity characteristics to the 3D image;
• and
• a second rendering engine configured to render a photorealistic 3D view of the composite image, including the luminosity characteristics.

A method for generating and rendering a photorealistic three-dimensional (3D) perspective view of a 3D object selectively positioned within a 3D scene, the method comprising:

• (a) operating a client application configured for scene editing and rendering, including a graphical user interface (GUI);
• (b) displaying a 3D scene with the GUI;
• (c) configuring the 3D scene for being selectively displayed in a plurality of views;
• (d) retrieving at least one 3D object from a library;
• (e) importing the 3D object into the 3D scene to generate a composite;
• (f) manipulating the 3D object within the composite for placement and orientation;
• (g) rendering a 3D image of the composite with the client application;
• (h) selectively reconfiguring the 3D image in real time;
• (i) applying luminosity characteristics to the 3D image;
• and
• (j) rendering, with the client application, a photorealistic 3D view of the composite image, including the luminosity characteristics.