Virtual Rendering of Digital Materials

Abstract

A computer system renders a three-dimensional environment. The three-dimensional environment includes a target object. The computer system renders the target object with a first digital material applied to a visible surface of the target object. The first digital material includes a representation of a first physical coating and is associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating. The computer system further displays a digital material adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material. The computer system receives one or more adjustment attribute variables. The computer system identifies a second digital material and a second coating formula for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables. The computer system further renders the target object with the second digital material applied to the visible surface of the target object.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods and systems that utilize technological improvements to assist in the display of desired materials. [Background technology]

[0002] Modern economies and societies increasingly rely on digital means of communication for both personal and business functions. As more and more commerce is conducted digitally, it becomes more important for companies to provide consumers with the digital tools they need to fully research and consider the products and services they offer. For example, when selling coatings (such as paint), it is useful for customers to be able to accurately see and experience the coating.

[0003] Given the wide range of different materials, including coating types and colors, it is often difficult for customers to identify materials. For example, a customer may want to identify one or more paints for a car or garden shed. It can be difficult to understand what a coating will look like when applied for its intended purpose, especially when viewing colors digitally.

[0004] Thus, there are several deficiencies in the art that could benefit from technological advances. The subject matter disclosed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any shortcomings or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is provided only to describe one example technology area in which some embodiments described herein may be practiced. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A disclosed computer system for rendering digital materials in a three-dimensional environment includes one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media having executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the computer system to perform various operations. The computer system renders a three-dimensional environment. The three-dimensional environment includes a target object. The computer system renders the target object with a first digital material applied to a visible surface of the target object. The first digital material includes a representation of a first physical coating and is associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating. The computer system further displays a digital material adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material. The computer system also receives one or more adjustment attribute variables from the digital material adjustment interface. The computer system further identifies a second digital material and a second coating formula for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables. The second coating formula is configured to physically create the second digital material. The computer system further renders the target object with the second digital material applied to the visible surface of the target object.

[0006] A computer-implemented method for rendering digital materials within a three-dimensional environment, executed by one or more processors, is disclosed. The three-dimensional environment includes a target object. The computer-implemented method renders the target object with a first digital material applied to a visible surface of the target object. The first digital material includes a representation of a first physical coating and is associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating. The computer-implemented method further displays a digital material adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material. The computer-implemented method also receives one or more adjustment attribute variables from the digital material adjustment interface. The computer-implemented method further identifies a second digital material and a second coating formula for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables. The second coating formula is configured to physically create the second digital material. The computer-implemented method further renders the target object with the second digital material applied to the visible surface of the target object.

[0007] The computer-readable medium includes one or more physical computer-readable storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed on a processor, cause a computer system to perform a method for rendering a digital material in a three-dimensional environment. The computer-implemented method includes rendering the three-dimensional environment. The three-dimensional environment includes a target object. The computer-implemented method renders the target object with a first digital material applied to a visible surface of the target object. The first digital material includes a representation of a first physical coating and is associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating. The computer-implemented method further displays to a user a digital material adjustment interface for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material. The computer-implemented method also receives one or more adjustment attribute variables from the digital material adjustment interface. The computer-implemented method further identifies a second digital material and a second coating formula for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables. The second coating formula is configured to physically create the second digital material. The computer-implemented method further renders the target object with the second digital material applied to the visible surface of the target object.

[0008] Additional features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary embodiments. The features and advantages of such embodiments may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and the appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the exemplary embodiments as set forth hereinafter.

[0009] To explain how the above-mentioned and other advantages and features of the present disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the computer-implemented methods, systems, and computer-readable media briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure will be described and interpreted with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings hereinafter described, with the understanding that these drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a computer system for rendering digital material. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a user interface for adjusting the rendering of digital material. [Figure 3] 10 shows a user interface showing adjusted digital material. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a user interface for adjusting environmental attributes of a rendering of digital material. [Figure 5] 1 shows a user interface for selecting digital materials. [Figure 6] 1 shows a flowchart of a method for rendering digital material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A computer system for dynamically virtually rendering digital materials (also referred to herein as "physically-based rendering") provides end users with a technologically advanced system for displaying materials in three dimensions and adjusting the digital materials in three-dimensional space. The resulting adjustments are then used to provide users with recipes for creating adjusted digital materials in the physical world. As used herein, "material" includes any physical medium that can be digitally represented. For example, a material may include a coating applied to a digitally rendered surface. A coating may include paint, dye, ink, or other coating substance that affects the visual appearance of the material. Furthermore, a material may include only a coating that is not applied to a particular digitally rendered surface. A "digital material" is a visually accurate rendering of a physical material.

[0012] The computer system provides an innovative and unique system for simultaneously displaying multiple physically-based renderings. Furthermore, as used herein, "physically-based rendering" or "digital material" refers to a rendering of a material that uses 1) a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) or a simplified model of a BRDF, and / or 2) a bidirectional texture function (BTF) to calculate the reflection of light from the material's opaque surface. In some examples, the BRDF and / or BTF are obtained directly for the digital rendering of the material by performing BRDF and / or BTF measurements on the physical-world material and then rendering a physically-based rendering using the measurements.

[0013] The BRDF includes:

number

[0014] where L is the radiance, or power per unit solid angle in the direction of the light ray per unit projected area perpendicular to the ray, E is the irradiance, or power per unit surface area, and θ iω i is the angle between and the surface normal n. The BTF is a 6D function whose variables are the 2D position as well as the field of view and illumination direction. The BTF can be obtained by mechanically imaging the surface from multiple different angles under multiple wavelengths of light.

[0015] BRDF and / or BTF measurements can be made in the physical world using a gonioreflectometer. For example, BRDF and / or BTF measurements can be made for a specific coating on a number of different materials. The different materials can include, but are not limited to, different types of wood, wallboard, metal, plastic, base coatings (e.g., primers), and various other materials commonly coated in industrial, commercial, and residential applications. Each coating and material combination is associated with a unique physically-based rendering. Thus, when the physically-based rendering is displayed to an end user, the end user can view a specific coating on a number of different materials.

[0016] The computer system allows an end user to display a rendering of the digital material on a target object in three-dimensional space. The rendering may be displayed on a computer screen, a mobile device screen, a head-mounted display in a virtual or mixed reality environment, or any other means capable of displaying a three-dimensional environment. The user can then manipulate the physically-based rendering in ways that change the visual appearance of the physically-based rendering. In response, the computer system can generate one or more tuning attribute variables that are used to identify formulations for creating the tailored physically-based rendering in the physical world.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system 100 for communicating via virtual rendering of digital materials. As used herein, computer system 100 refers to both a personal computer 100a, a head-mounted display device 100b, a mobile computing device, a server, or any other computing device or combination of computing devices. For example, at least a portion of the rendering engine 122 may be located on a user's device, while the digital material database 128 may be stored and processed within a cloud server. The illustrated computer system 100 includes one or more processors 140 and a computer storage medium 130. The computer storage medium 130 includes executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 140, configure the computer system 100 to launch virtual digital material software 120. The virtual digital material software 120 includes a rendering engine 122, an import / export interface 124, a coating match engine 126, and a physically-based rendering database 128.

[0018] As used herein, a "module" includes computer-executable code and / or computer hardware that performs a particular function. Those skilled in the art will understand that the distinction between different modules is at least partially arbitrary, and that modules may otherwise be combined and divided and still be within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the description of components as "modules" is provided for purposes of clarity and explanation only and should not be construed as indicating a necessary division between functions of computer-executable code and / or computer hardware unless explicitly stated otherwise. Terms such as "component," "agent," "manager," "service," "engine," "virtual machine," and the like may also be used herein.

[0019] 1 may be located and / or executed on local and / or remote processors. For example, some modules may execute locally on a personal computing device (e.g., personal computer system 100a, mobile computing device, head-mounted display device 100b), while other modules may be located and / or executed on a remote server.

[0020] The computer system 100 is configured to render a three-dimensional environment including a target object. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a user interface 200 for adjusting the rendering of digital material. The illustrated user interface 200 includes an interface that may be displayed on a personal computer or a mobile device. Additionally, or alternatively, the user interface 200 may be displayed as an immersive virtual reality or augmented reality environment.

[0021] The user interface 200 includes a target object 210 in the form of a rendering of an automobile. While the illustrated target object 210 includes an automobile, in additional or alternative embodiments, any number of different types of target objects may be rendered, including, but not limited to, an airplane, a boat, a home exterior, a home interior, industrial equipment, and any other object to which a coating can be applied.

[0022] 2 , computer system 100 renders target object 210 with a first digital material 220 applied to the visible surface of target object 210 within a three-dimensional environment 240. First digital material 220 includes a representation of a first physical coating and is associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating. For example, first digital material 220 may include red automotive paint with aluminum texture flakes associated within the coating. As described above, within the rendered three-dimensional environment, the rendering of the digital material may include a BRDF and / or a BTF such that the rendered digital material is an accurate representation of the physical coating.

[0023] Additionally, the user interface 200 may display a digital material adjustment interface 230 to the user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material 220. For example, the digital material adjustment interface 230 may represent sliders for adjusting the lightness, saturation, flop, and roughness of the first digital material 220. In additional or alternative examples, the user may be able to adjust the color, texture, finish, substrate, and various other visual aspects of the digital material. When the digital material adjustment interface 230 is rendered in a virtual reality or mixed reality environment, the digital material adjustment interface 230 may be displayed as a floating interface near the target object.

[0024] The computer system 100 receives one or more adjustment attribute variables from the digital material adjustment interface 230. As used herein, an "adjustment attribute variable" includes information describing changes a user makes to the first digital material using the digital material adjustment interface 230. For example, the adjustment attribute variable may include any number of changes to the saturation value, brightness value, color value, texture value, substrate type, or appearance of the first digital material 220. The digital material adjustments are applied to the first digital material 220, including adjustments to the BRDF or BTF data used to render the digital material. In some cases, the first digital material 220 on the target object 210 changes in real time as the user makes changes in the digital material adjustment interface 230.

[0025] The computer system 100 can then identify a second digital material 300 (shown in FIG. 3 ) and a second coating formulation for the second digital material 300 based on the one or more adjusted attribute variables and / or the adjusted BRDF file or the adjusted BTF file. One or more digital materials stored in the digital materials database 128 can be stored along with formulations for creating the respective digital materials in the physical world. Thus, the second coating formulation can be stored in the digital materials database 128 in association with the closest match to the second digital material 300.

[0026] In one example, the coating matching engine 126 in the virtual digital material software 120 identifies the closest match to the second digital material 300 in the digital material database 128. The coating matching engine 126 may utilize the Kubelka-Munk algorithm to identify the best matching digital material. Additionally, or alternatively, the coating matching engine 126 may include a machine learning algorithm trained to match the received color variables with colors stored in the digital material database 128. The machine learning algorithm may include a convolutional neural network (CNN) trained using labeled data entries in the digital material database 128.

[0027] Once the second digital material 300 is identified, the computer system 100 can render the target object 210 with the second digital material 300 applied to the visible surface of the target object 210, as shown in FIG. 3 . In some cases, the second digital material 300 identified in the digital material database 128 may include an exact match. In such cases, the user may already be seeing a correct depiction of the second digital material 300 based on the adjustments made to the first digital material 220. In contrast, in some cases, the closest match found in the digital material database 128 may not exactly match the adjustments made by the user to the first digital material 220. In such cases, a display prompt may be displayed to the user informing them that the target product needs to be re-rendered to display the closest matching color. If the user approves the re-rendering, the rendering engine 122 may render the target object 210 using the second digital material 300 that is the closest match in the digital material database 128. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface 200 showing the adjusted digital material, referred to herein as the second digital material 300.

[0028] In some examples, a user may select a first digital material 220 to be applied to a target object 210. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface in which the computer system 100 displays a command interface 500, shown as a “digital material selector,” to a user for applying the first digital material 220 to the target object 210. In the command interface 500, the user may select the target object 210 and then select a color from a variety of visual representations of colors or textual identifications of colors. Additionally or alternatively, the import / export interface 124 of the computer system 100 may receive an inspiration image from the user. As used herein, “inspiration image” includes an image provided by the user to initiate a search for digital materials. For example, the image may include a photograph of a scene, room, or color that the user finds appealing and wants to use in identifying digital materials.

[0029] The computer system 100 may extract color information from the inspiration image. Extracting color information may include identifying a dominant color in the inspiration image, identifying colors that contrast or complement one or more colors in the inspiration image, or processing the inspiration image through a machine learning algorithm to identify the digital material. The coating match engine 126 may then identify the first digital material 220 in the digital material database 128 by searching the digital material database 128 for a digital material that most closely matches the color information from the inspiration image. The search for the closest match may utilize the same process as described above.

[0030] Once the first digital material 220 is identified, the computer system 100 requests a digital file containing the first digital material 220 from the digital material database 128. The computer system 100 then receives, via the command interface, a digital file representing the first digital material 220. The rendering engine 122 then renders the first digital material 220 onto the target object 210.

[0031] In addition to adjusting aspects of the digital material, the user may also be able to adjust environmental aspects of the three-dimensional environment 240. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a user interface for adjusting environmental attributes of a rendering of the digital material. The computer system 100 may display an environmental adjustment interface 400 to the user for adjusting one or more environmental attributes of the three-dimensional environment 240. The illustrated environmental adjustments include adjusting lighting such as directed light, diffuse light, sunlight, or twilight. By selecting any of these options, the user can adjust the lighting within the three-dimensional environment 240. Additional or alternative examples of environmental adjustments may include light direction, number of light sources, background imagery, and various other environmental variables.

[0032] The computer system 100 receives one or more environmental adjustment variables from the environmental adjustment interface 400. In response, the rendering engine 122 renders the target object with the one or more environmental adjustment variables applied to the three-dimensional environment 240.

[0033] 6 shows a flowchart of a method 600 for rendering digital materials. The method 600 includes an operation 610 of rendering a 3D environment. The operation 610 includes rendering the three-dimensional environment, the three-dimensional environment including the target object. For example, as shown and described with respect to FIG. 2, the 3D environment 240 may be rendered on a computer screen or in a virtual reality headset. The 3D environment 240 further includes the target object 210, in this case a car.

[0034] Method 600 also includes an operation 620 of rendering the target object with a digital material. Operation 620 includes rendering the target object 210 with a first digital material 220 applied to a visible surface of the target object 210, the first digital material 220 including a representation of a first physical coating and associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating. For example, as shown and described with respect to Figures 1 and 2, the target object 210 is rendered with the first digital material 220, in this case automotive paint. The first digital material 220 is stored in a digital material database 128, which also stores formulas for creating coatings in the physical world.

[0035] Further, method 600 includes an operation 630 of displaying a digital material adjustment interface. Operation 630 includes displaying the digital material adjustment interface 230 to a user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material 220. For example, as shown and described with respect to FIG. 2 , the digital material adjustment interface 230 provides the user with options for adjusting various color attributes of the first digital material 220.

[0036] The method 600 also includes an operation 640 of receiving adjustment attribute variables. Operation 640 includes receiving one or more adjustment attribute variables from the digital material adjustment interface 230. For example, as shown and described with respect to FIG. 2, a user can make various adjustments using the digital material adjustment interface 230. These adjustments are communicated to the computer system 100.

[0037] Further, method 600 includes an operation 650 of identifying a second digital material. Operation 650 includes identifying the second digital material and a second coating formulation for the second digital material based on the one or more adjusted attribute variables, the second coating formulation being configured to physically create the second digital material. For example, as shown and described with respect to FIG. 1 , the coating match engine 126 receives the adjusted attribute variables and uses that information to identify a matching coating in the digital material database 128. The identified coating includes an associated formulation stored with the digital material file in the digital material database 128.

[0038] Furthermore, method 600 includes an operation 660 of rendering the target object with a second digital material. Operation 660 includes rendering the target object 210 with the second digital material 300 applied to the visible surfaces of the target object 210. For example, as shown and described with respect to FIG. 3 , the target object 210 has been rendered with a new automotive coating (i.e., the second digital material 300) applied to the visible surfaces of a car.

[0039] In view of the above, it can be seen that the disclosed computer system is configured to render realistic images of coatings applied to a target object. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments provide an end user with a means to view and adjust the rendered digital material. Once adjusted, the computer system can provide the user with a formula that can recreate the digital material in the physical world. Thus, the present disclosure improves both the rendering of coatings and the user's ability to translate changes to a digital rendering into a coating that is faithful to the rendering in the physical world.

[0040] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the features or acts described above or to the order of acts described above. Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

[0041] The present disclosure may comprise or utilize a special-purpose or general-purpose computer system including computer hardware such as, for example, one or more processors and system memory, as described in more detail below. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Such computer-readable media may be any available media accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions and / or data structures are computer storage media. Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions and / or data structures are transmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least two distinctly different types of computer-readable media: computer storage media and transmission media.

[0042] A computer storage medium is a physical storage medium that stores computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Physical storage media includes computer hardware such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, solid-state drives (“SSD”), flash memory, phase-change memory (“PCM”), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other hardware storage device(s) that can be used to store program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures that can be accessed and executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system to implement the disclosed functions of the present disclosure.

[0043] Transmission media can be used to carry program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and can include networks and / or data links accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. A "network" is defined as one or more data links that enable the transfer of electronic data between computer systems and / or modules and / or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided to a computer system over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired and wireless), the computer system may consider the connection a transmission medium. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0044] Additionally, program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures may be automatically transferred from transmission media to computer storage media (or vice versa) upon reaching various computer system components. For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link may be buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a "NIC") and eventually transferred to the computer system's RAM and / or to the computer system's less volatile computer storage media. Thus, it should be understood that computer storage media may be included in computer system components that also (or primarily) utilize transmission media.

[0045] Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a general-purpose computer system, special-purpose computer system, or special-purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or source code.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure can be practiced in networked computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, handheld devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, cellular phones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches, etc. The present disclosure can also be practiced in distributed system environments where tasks are performed by both local and remote computer systems that are linked through a network (either by wired data links, wireless data links, or a combination of wired and wireless data links). Thus, in a distributed system environment, a computer system may include multiple component computer systems. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in a cloud computing environment. A cloud computing environment may be distributed, but this is not required. If distributed, the cloud computing environment may be distributed internationally within an organization and / or have components owned across multiple organizations. For purposes of this description and the claims that follow, "cloud computing" is defined as a model that enables on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services). The definition of "cloud computing" is not limited to any of the many other benefits that derive from such a model when properly deployed.

[0048] Cloud computing models can be configured with a variety of characteristics, such as on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service. Cloud computing models may also be offered in the form of various service models, such as, for example, Software as a Service ("SaaS"), Platform as a Service ("PaaS"), and Infrastructure as a Service ("IaaS"). Cloud computing models can also be deployed using different deployment models, such as private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud.

[0049] Some embodiments, such as a cloud computing environment, may include a system including one or more hosts, each capable of running one or more virtual machines. During operation, the virtual machines emulate an operational computing system that supports an operating system and possibly one or more other applications. In some embodiments, each host includes a hypervisor that emulates the virtual machine's virtual resources using physical resources abstracted from the virtual machine's view. The hypervisor also provides appropriate isolation between the virtual machines. Thus, from the perspective of any given virtual machine, the hypervisor provides the illusion that the virtual machine is interfacing with physical resources, even though the virtual machine is only interfacing with the appearance of physical resources (e.g., virtual resources). Examples of physical resources include processing power, memory, disk space, network bandwidth, media drives, etc.

[0050] The present invention is further illustrated by the following aspects.

[0051] In a first aspect, there is provided a computer system for rendering a digital material in a three-dimensional environment, the computer system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media preferably as defined in any one of aspects 14 to 22 having executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the computer system to: render a three-dimensional environment including a target object; render the target object with a first digital material applied to a visible surface of the target object, the first digital material including a representation of a first physical coating and associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating; display a digital material adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material; receive one or more adjustment attribute variables from the digital material adjustment interface; identify a second digital material and a second coating formula of the second digital material configured to physically create the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables; and render the target object with the second digital material applied to the visible surface of the target object.

[0052] Aspect 2 relates to the computer system of aspect 1, wherein the executable instructions for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material include executable instructions for configuring the computer system to adjust a color of the first digital material.

[0053] Aspect 3 relates to the computer system of any one of aspects 1 or 2, wherein the executable instructions for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material include executable instructions for configuring the computer system to adjust a texture of the first digital material.

[0054] Aspect 4 relates to the computer system of any one of Aspects 1-3, wherein the executable instructions for identifying the second digital material and a second coating formulation for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables include instructions executable to configure the computer system to identify a closest match to the second digital material within a digital material database, wherein the second coating formulation comprises a coating formulation stored in the digital material database in association with the closest match to the second digital material.

[0055] Aspect 5 relates to the computer system of aspect 4, wherein the closest match to the second digital material is identified using a Kubelka-Munk algorithm.

[0056] Aspect 6 relates to the computer system of any one of aspects 4 or 5, wherein the closest matches to the second digital material are identified using a machine learning algorithm.

[0057] Aspect 7 relates to the computer system of any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the executable instructions further include instructions executable to configure the computer system to display a command interface to a user for applying the first digital material to the target object and receive a user selection of the first digital material via the command interface.

[0058] Aspect 8 relates to the computer system of any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the executable instructions further include instructions executable to configure the computer system to communicate a request for the first digital material to a digital material database and receive, from the digital material database, a digital file including the first digital material.

[0059] Aspect 9 relates to the computer system of any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the executable instructions further include instructions executable to configure the computer system to display an environmental adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more environmental attributes of the three-dimensional environment, receive one or more environmental adjustment variables from the environmental adjustment interface, and render the target object using the one or more environmental adjustment variables applied to the three-dimensional environment.

[0060] Aspect 10 relates to the computer system of any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the executable instructions further include instructions executable to configure the computer system to receive an inspiration image from a user, extract color information from the inspiration image, and identify a first digital material in the digital material database by searching the digital material database for a digital material that most closely matches the color information from the inspiration image.

[0061] Aspect 11 relates to the computer system of any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the first digital material is rendered by performing BRDF and / or BTF measurements on a material in the physical world and then rendering a physically based rendering using the measurements.

[0062] Aspect 12 relates to the computer system of any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the second digital material is identified based on adjusting the BRDF or BTF data used to render the first digital material.

[0063] Aspect 13 relates to the computer system of any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the target object includes an automobile, an airplane, a boat, a home exterior, a home interior, or a combination thereof.

[0064]

[0014] In a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method executed by one or more processors for rendering a digital material in a three-dimensional environment, preferably as defined in any one of aspects 1 to 13, the computer-implemented method comprising: rendering the three-dimensional environment including a target object; rendering the target object with a first digital material applied to a visible surface of the target object, the first digital material including a representation of a first physical coating and associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating; displaying a digital material adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material; receiving one or more adjustment attribute variables from the digital material adjustment interface; identifying a second digital material and a second coating formula of the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables; and rendering the target object with the second digital material applied to the visible surface of the target object.

[0065] Example 15 relates to the computer system of example 14, wherein adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material further includes adjusting a color of the first digital material.

[0066] Example 16 relates to the method of any one of Examples 14 or 15, wherein adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material further comprises adjusting a texture of the first digital material.

[0067] Example 17 is the method of any one of Examples 14 to 16, wherein identifying the second digital material and the second coating formulation for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables further includes identifying a closest match to the second digital material within a digital material database, wherein the second coating formulation comprises a coating formulation stored in the digital material database in association with the closest match to the second digital material.

[0068] Example 18 relates to the method of example 17, wherein the closest match to the second digital material is identified using a Kubelka-Munk algorithm.

[0069] Aspect 19 relates to the method of any one of aspects 17 or 18, wherein the closest matches to the second digital material are identified using a machine learning algorithm.

[0070] Example 20 relates to the method of any one of Examples 14 to 19, further including: displaying a command interface to a user for applying the first digital material to the target object; and receiving a user selection of the first digital material via the command interface.

[0071] Example 21 relates to the method of any one of Examples 14 to 20, further including: transmitting a request for the first digital material to a digital material database; and receiving, from the digital material database, a digital file including the first digital material.

[0072] Aspect 22 relates to the method of any one of aspects 14 to 21, further including: displaying an environmental adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more environmental attributes of the three-dimensional environment; receiving one or more environmental adjustment variables from the environmental adjustment interface; and rendering a target object using the one or more environmental adjustment variables applied to the three-dimensional environment.

[0073] In a twenty-third aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium including one or more physical computer-readable storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed on a processor, cause a computer system, preferably a system according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, to perform a method for rendering digital material in a three-dimensional environment, the method including: rendering the three-dimensional environment including a target object; rendering the target object with a first digital material applied to a visible surface of the target object, the first digital material including a representation of a first physical coating and associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating; displaying a digital material adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material; receiving one or more adjustment attribute variables from the digital material adjustment interface; identifying a second digital material and a second coating formula of the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables; and rendering the target object with the second digital material applied to the visible surface of the target object.

[0074] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are considered in all respects to be merely illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the present disclosure is therefore indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. 1. A computer system for rendering digital material in a three-dimensional environment, comprising: one or more processors; When executed by the one or more processors, Rendering a three-dimensional environment including the target object; rendering the target object with a first digital material applied to a visible surface of the target object, the first digital material including a representation of a first physical coating and associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating; displaying a digital material adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material; receiving one or more tuning attribute variables from the digital material tuning interface; identifying a second digital material and a second coating formulation for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables, the second coating formulation configured to physically create the second digital material; and one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon executable instructions that configure the computer system to: render the target object with the second digital material applied to the visible surface of the target object.

2. 2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions for adjusting the one or more attributes of the first digital material comprise executable instructions for configuring the computer system to adjust a color of the first digital material.

3. 3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions for adjusting the one or more attributes of the first digital material include executable instructions for configuring the computer system to adjust a texture of the first digital material.

4. The executable instructions for identifying the second digital material and the second coating formulation for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables include:

4. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising executable instructions to configure the computer system to identify a closest match to the second digital material in a digital materials database, the second coating formula comprising a coating formula stored in the digital materials database in association with a closest match to the second digital material.

5. 5. A computer system according to claim 1, wherein the closest match to the second digital material is identified using the Kubelka-Munk algorithm.

6. 6. A computer system according to any preceding claim, wherein the closest matches to the second digital material are identified using a machine learning algorithm.

7. The executable instructions include: displaying a command interface to the user for applying the first digital material to the target object; 7. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising executable instructions for configuring the computer system to receive a user selection of the first digital material via the command interface.

8. The executable instructions include: communicating the request for the first digital material to a digital material database; 8. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising executable instructions for configuring the computer system to receive a digital file containing the first digital material from the digital material database.

9. The executable instructions include: displaying an environment adjustment interface to the user for adjusting one or more environmental attributes of the three-dimensional environment; receiving one or more environmental adjustment variables from the environmental adjustment interface; 9. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising executable instructions for configuring the computer system to render the target object with the one or more environmental adjustment variables applied to the three-dimensional environment.

10. The executable instructions include: receiving an inspiration image from the user; extracting color information from the inspiration image; 10. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising executable instructions to configure the computer system to identify the first digital material in the digital material database by searching the digital material database for a digital material that most closely matches the color information from the inspiration image.

11. 1. A computer-implemented method executed by one or more processors for rendering digital material within a three-dimensional environment, comprising: Rendering a three-dimensional environment including the target object; rendering the target object with a first digital material applied to a visible surface of the target object, the first digital material including a representation of a first physical coating and associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating; displaying a digital material adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material; receiving one or more tuning attribute variables from the digital material tuning interface; identifying a second digital material and a second coating formulation for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables, the second coating formulation configured to physically create the second digital material; and rendering the target object with the second digital material applied to the visible surface of the target object.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein adjusting the one or more attributes of the first digital material further comprises adjusting a color of the first digital material.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11-12, wherein adjusting the one or more attributes of the first digital material further comprises adjusting a texture of the first digital material.

14. Identifying the second digital material and the second coating formulation for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables includes:

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising identifying a closest match to the second digital material in a digital materials database, wherein the second coating formula comprises a coating formula stored in the digital materials database in association with a closest match to the second digital material.

15. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the closest match to the second digital material is identified using the Kubelka-Munk algorithm.

16. The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the closest matches to the second digital material are identified using a machine learning algorithm.

17. displaying a command interface to the user for applying the first digital material to the target object; The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising: receiving, via the command interface, a user selection of the first digital material.

18. communicating the first digital material request to a digital material database; The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 11 to 17, further comprising: receiving a digital file from the digital material database, the digital file including the first digital material.

19. displaying an environment adjustment interface to the user for adjusting one or more environmental attributes of the three-dimensional environment; receiving one or more environmental adjustment variables from the environmental adjustment interface; 20. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising: rendering the target object with the one or more environmental adjustment variables applied to the three-dimensional environment.

20. 1. A computer-readable medium comprising one or more physical computer-readable storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed on a processor, cause a computer system to perform a method for rendering digital material in a three-dimensional environment, the method comprising: Rendering a three-dimensional environment including the target object; rendering the target object with a first digital material applied to a visible surface of the target object, the first digital material including a representation of a first physical coating and associated with a known formula for creating the first physical coating; displaying a digital material adjustment interface to a user for adjusting one or more attributes of the first digital material; receiving one or more tuning attribute variables from the digital material tuning interface; identifying a second digital material and a second coating formulation for the second digital material based on the one or more adjustment attribute variables, the second coating formulation configured to physically create the second digital material; and rendering the target object with the second digital material applied to the visible surface of the target object.

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