Design support device, design support method, and program

Abstract

To generate a 3D model with a precisely defined design that includes bumps and grooves. [Solution] The design support device according to the embodiment includes a controller that generates a model on which a design having irregularities is applied to the surface of a three-dimensional basic model. The controller places a first surface containing a number of first points having coordinate information on the outside of the basic model, and places a second surface containing a number of second points having corresponding coordinate information corresponding to each first point on the opposite side from the first surface to the surface of the basic model to which the design is applied. The controller detects the intersection points of the lines connecting the first points and the second points corresponding to the first points with the surface of the basic model, and applies the design to the surface of the basic model by moving the intersection points in accordance with the irregularities of the design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a design support device, a design support method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a design support device that imparts a design to a shape model by attaching design data to the shape model (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technology, when the shape model is curved, there is a possibility that the design at the curved portion may not be the intended design.

[0005] One aspect of the embodiments aims to provide a design support device, a design support method, and a program that can generate a three-dimensional model with an accurately imparted design having concavities and convexities.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A design support device according to one embodiment includes a controller that generates a model on which a design having irregularities is applied to the surface of a three-dimensional basic model. The controller places a first surface containing a number of first points having coordinate information on the outside of the basic model, and places a second surface containing a number of second points having corresponding coordinate information corresponding to each first point on the opposite side from the first surface to the surface of the basic model to which the design is applied. The controller detects the intersection points of the lines connecting the first points and the second points corresponding to the first points with the surface of the basic model, and applies the design to the surface of the basic model by moving the intersection points in accordance with the irregularities of the design.

[0007] This allows the design support device to generate a model with a design featuring irregularities at suitable locations on the surface of the basic model. The design support device can also generate a model with accurately applied irregularities even when the surface of the basic model is curved.

[0008] Furthermore, the second surface is an offset surface from the first surface.

[0009] As a result, the design support device moves the intersection point of the line connecting the first point on the first surface and the second point corresponding to the first point on the second surface (which is offset from the first surface) with the surface of the basic model, thereby adding irregularities to the surface of the basic model. Therefore, the design support device can suppress deviations in the shape of the irregularities applied to the surface of the basic model and generate a model with accurately applied irregularities.

[0010] Furthermore, the first point has vector information corresponding to the unevenness of the design. The controller moves the intersection point based on the vector information held by the first point corresponding to the intersection point.

[0011] This allows the design support device to adjust the depth (height) of the design-applied model's bumps and grooves to the intended level, thereby generating a model with accurately applied bumps and grooves.

[0012] Furthermore, the vector information is set according to the gradation when the design's textures are represented in grayscale.

[0013] This allows the design support device to process the unevenness of the design based on gradation, thereby reducing the processing load when adding an uneven design to a basic model.

[0014] Furthermore, the basic model is a model of a faucet handle.

[0015] This allows the design support device to accurately add textures and contours to the model of the faucet handle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to one embodiment, it is possible to generate a three-dimensional model with an accurately applied design that includes irregularities. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a design support device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the design application process according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the first surface. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the raised and recessed areas of the design applied to the first surface in grayscale. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the layout of the first surface, etc. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the first and second surfaces. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of moving the intersection point. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Hereinafter, a form for implementing a design support device, a design support method, and a program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") will be described in detail while referring to the drawings. Note that the design support device, the design support method, and the program according to the present application are not limited by this embodiment.

[0019] The design support device 1 according to the embodiment is a device that creates a three-dimensional model of a product. The design support device 1 applies a design having irregularities to the surface of the basic model M (see FIG. 5). That is, the design support device 1 is a design device capable of creating a three-dimensional model of a product having irregularities on its surface.

[0020] Products include faucet devices, washbasin devices, and the like. Hereinafter, as an example of a product, the handle of a faucet device will be described, but it is not limited thereto. Designs having irregularities include hammer marks and dimples. The basic model M is a three-dimensional model in a state where no irregular design is attached to the surface.

[0021] The design support device 1 is a terminal device used by a user. The terminal device includes a PC (Personal Computer) or the like. The design support device 1 may be a server device. The server device includes a cloud server. When the design support device 1 is a server device, based on an operation signal transmitted from the user's terminal device, the design support device 1 (server device) generates a three-dimensional model. Then, data related to the generated three-dimensional model is transmitted to the terminal device and displayed on the user's terminal device.

[0022] The design support device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the design support device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0023] The design support device 1 comprises a communication unit 2, a storage unit 3, and a control unit 4. The communication unit 2 is implemented, for example, by a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 2 is connected to a network by wired or wireless connection.

[0024] The memory unit 3 is implemented by, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or by storage devices such as hard disks or optical discs. The memory unit 3 includes design information DB3A. Design information DB3A stores coordinate information of the first point P (see Figure 3), which will be described later.

[0025] The control unit 4 is a controller, and is realized by executing various programs stored in the internal memory of the design support device 1 using a memory area such as RAM as a working area, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0026] The control unit 4 executes a model generation program based on user (designer) input from the input unit 10, and generates a 3D model of the product according to the user's input. The input unit 10 includes a keyboard and mouse that accept user input. The control unit 4 displays the generated 3D model, etc., on the display unit 11. The display unit 11 is a monitor. The design support device 1 may include the input unit 10 and the display unit 11, etc.

[0027] The control unit 4 can generate a model in which a design with irregularities is applied to the surface of the three-dimensional basic model M of the product.

[0028] Next, the design application process according to the embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the design application process according to the embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the three-dimensional basic model M of the product (see Figure 5) has already been generated.

[0029] The control unit 4 sets the first surface F1 (S100). As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 4 sets the first surface F1 which includes a number of first points P having coordinate information. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the first surface F1. The coordinate information is information for distinguishing and recognizing each first point P on the first surface F1. Each first point P has its own coordinate information. For example, the first surface F1 is set to be larger than the basic model M. The coordinate information for each first point P on the first surface F1 is stored in the design information DB3A.

[0030] The control unit 4 adds design information to the first surface F1 (S101). The design information is added as vector information to each first point P. The vector is the normal vector at the first point P.

[0031] The length of the vector is set according to the grayscale level (0-255) when the design's unevenness is represented in grayscale. For example, the highest point of the unevenness is set as the baseline, with the grayscale level at the baseline being "0," and the grayscale level increasing as the depth from the baseline increases.

[0032] The reliefs represented in grayscale become darker as the depth increases from the reference value, as shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 is a grayscale representation of the reliefs of the design applied to the first surface F1. For illustrative purposes, Figure 4 shows six shades. Figure 4 also shows the length of the vector corresponding to the depth of the reliefs. The vector is set to become longer as the depth increases from the reference value. The design information is linked to the coordinate information of the first point P and stored in the design information DB3A. That is, each first point P has information about the depth (height) of the reliefs, indicated by the length of the vector.

[0033] Next, the control unit 4 positions the first surface F1 (S102). The control unit 4 positions the first surface F1 outside the basic model M. The control unit 4 positions the first surface F1 to match the basic model M. For example, as shown in Figure 5, if the surface of the basic model M includes a curved surface, the control unit 4 positions the first surface F1 in a curved manner to match the surface of the basic model M. Figure 5 shows an example of the positioning of the first surface F1, etc.

[0034] Next, the control unit 4 positions the second surface F2 (S103). The control unit 4 positions the second surface F2 on the opposite side of the surface of the basic model M from the first surface F1. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the control unit 4 positions the second surface F2 on the inside of the basic model M. The second surface F2 is a surface offset from the first surface F1.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the second plane F2 contains a number of secondary points Q, each having corresponding coordinate information for a primary point P. For example, the second plane F2 is smaller than the first plane F1 and has the same number of secondary points Q as the primary point P of the first plane F1. The distance between adjacent secondary points Q on the second plane F2 is shorter than the distance between adjacent primary points P on the first plane F1. Figure 6 illustrates the relationship between the first plane F1 and the second plane F2.

[0036] Corresponding coordinates are the coordinates where the relative position of the first point P on the first plane F1 (which is flattened) coincides with the relative position of the second point Q on the second plane F2 (which is flattened). For example, the second plane F2 is set by scaling down the first plane F1. The corresponding coordinate information for the second point Q is linked to the coordinate information for the first point P and stored in the design information DB3A. In other words, the second point Q is stored linked to the first point P so that its corresponding first point P can be identified.

[0037] Next, the control unit 4 detects the intersection point S between the line L connecting the first point P and the second point Q corresponding to the first point P, and the surface of the basic model M (S104).

[0038] The control unit 4 sets a line L1 connecting a first point P1 on the first surface F1 and a second point Q1 on the second surface F2 corresponding to the first point P1, as shown in Figure 5. The control unit 4 detects the intersection S1 between line L1 and the surface of the basic model M. The control unit 4 also sets a line L2 connecting a first point P2 on the first surface F1 and a second point Q2 on the second surface F2 corresponding to the first point P2. The control unit 4 detects the intersection S2 between line L2 and the surface of the basic model M.

[0039] The control unit 4 sets a line L connecting each first point P and each second point Q, and detects the intersection points S between the set line L and the surface of the basic model M. As a result, numerous intersection points S are detected on the surface of the basic model M.

[0040] Next, the control unit 4 applies a design to the surface of the basic model M (S105). The control unit 4 applies a design to the surface of the basic model M by moving the intersection points S in accordance with the irregularities of the design. The control unit 4 moves the intersection points S based on the design information of the first point P corresponding to the intersection points S. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the control unit 4 moves the intersection points S1 to S3 on the surface of the basic model M to S1-1 to S3-1 respectively, according to the vector information which is the design information. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of moving the intersection points S. In Figure 7, the surface of the basic model M before movement is shown with a dashed line, and the surface of the basic model M after movement is shown with a solid line.

[0041] The control unit 4 moves each intersection point S based on the design information, thereby adding a design with irregularities to the surface of the basic model M. This generates a model with a design that has irregularities on the surface of the basic model M.

[0042] Furthermore, the second surface F2 is on the opposite side of the surface of the basic model M from the first surface F1, and may also be located outside the basic model M.

[0043] The design support device 1 includes a control unit 4 that generates a model on which a design with irregularities is applied to the surface of a three-dimensional basic model M. The control unit 4 places a first surface F1 containing a number of first points P having coordinate information on the outside of the basic model M, and places a second surface F2 containing a number of second points Q having corresponding coordinate information for each first point P on the opposite side of the surface of the basic model M to which the design is applied from the first surface F1, detects the intersection S of the line connecting the first point P and the second point Q corresponding to the first point P and the surface of the basic model M, and applies the design to the surface of the basic model M by moving the intersection S according to the irregularities of the design.

[0044] As a result, the design support device 1 can generate a model with a design that has irregularities at suitable positions on the surface of the basic model M. The design support device 1 can generate a model with accurately applied irregularities even when the surface of the basic model M is curved.

[0045] The second face, F2, is a face that is offset from the first face, F1.

[0046] As a result, the design support device 1 moves the intersection point S between the line L connecting the first point P on the first surface F1 and the second point Q corresponding to the first point P on the second surface F2, which is offset from the first surface F1, and the surface of the basic model M, thereby adding irregularities to the surface of the basic model M. Therefore, the design support device 1 can suppress deviations in the shape of the irregularities applied to the surface of the basic model M and generate a model with accurately applied irregularities.

[0047] The first point P has vector information corresponding to the irregularities of the design. The control unit 4 moves the intersection S based on the vector information held by the first point P that corresponds to the intersection S.

[0048] As a result, the design support device 1 can adjust the depth (height) of the bumps and grooves of the model to the intended depth, and generate a model with accurately applied bumps and grooves.

[0049] Vector information is set according to the gradation when the design's textures are represented in grayscale.

[0050] As a result, the design support device 1 can process the unevenness of the design based on gradation, and the processing load when applying an uneven design to the basic model M can be reduced.

[0051] The basic model M is a model of the handle for a faucet device.

[0052] This allows the design support device 1 to accurately apply bumps and grooves to the model of the faucet handle. <Note>

[0053] (1) It includes a controller that generates a model with a design that has irregularities on the surface of a 3D basic model, The aforementioned controller, A first surface containing a number of first points having coordinate information is placed outside the basic model, A second surface, which includes a number of second points having corresponding coordinate information for each first point, is positioned on the opposite side from the first surface to the surface of the basic model to which the design is applied. The intersection point of the line connecting the first point and the second point corresponding to the first point with the surface of the basic model is detected. A design support device that applies the design to the surface of the basic model by moving the intersection point in accordance with the irregularities of the design.

[0054] (2) The design support device described in (1), wherein the second surface is a surface offset from the first surface.

[0055] (3) The first point has vector information corresponding to the unevenness of the design, The design support device according to (1) or (2), wherein the controller moves the intersection based on the vector information of the first point corresponding to the intersection.

[0056] (4) The design support device according to (3), wherein the vector information is set according to the gradation when the irregularities of the design are represented in grayscale.

[0057] (5) The basic model is a design support device as described in any one of (1) to (4), which is a model of a faucet handle.

[0058] (6) A design support method for generating a model in which a design with irregularities is applied to the surface of a three-dimensional basic model, A step of arranging a first surface containing a number of first points having coordinate information outside the basic model, A step of placing a second surface, which includes a number of second points having corresponding coordinate information for each first point, on the opposite side from the first surface to the surface of the basic model to which the design is applied. A step of detecting the intersection point between the line connecting the first point and the second point corresponding to the first point and the surface of the basic model, The process involves moving the aforementioned intersection point to match the irregularities of the design, thereby applying the design to the surface of the basic model. Design support methods, including those mentioned above.

[0059] (7) A program that causes a computer to generate a model in which a design with irregularities is applied to the surface of a basic 3D model, A procedure for arranging a first surface containing a number of first points having coordinate information outside the basic model, A procedure for arranging a second surface, which includes a number of second points having corresponding coordinate information for each first point, on the opposite side from the first surface to the surface of the basic model to which the design is applied, A procedure for detecting the intersection of a line connecting the first point and the second point corresponding to the first point with the surface of the basic model, The procedure involves moving the aforementioned intersection point to match the irregularities of the design, thereby applying the design to the surface of the basic model. A program that causes the aforementioned computer to execute.

[0060] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1. Design support device 3 Storage section 4. Control Unit (Controller) F1 front page F2 2nd side P 1st point Q 2nd point S intersection

Claims

1. It includes a controller that generates a model with a design that has irregularities on the surface of a three-dimensional basic model. The aforementioned controller, A first surface containing a number of first points having coordinate information is placed outside the basic model, A second surface, which includes a number of second points having corresponding coordinate information for each first point, is positioned on the opposite side from the first surface to the surface of the basic model to which the design is applied. The intersection point of the line connecting the first point and the second point corresponding to the first point with the surface of the basic model is detected. A design support device that applies the design to the surface of the basic model by moving the intersection point in accordance with the irregularities of the design.

2. The design support device according to claim 1, wherein the second surface is a surface offset from the first surface.

3. The first point has vector information corresponding to the irregularities of the design, The design support device according to claim 1, wherein the controller moves the intersection based on the vector information of the first point corresponding to the intersection.

4. The design support device according to claim 3, wherein the vector information is set according to the gradation when the irregularities of the design are represented in grayscale.

5. The design support device according to claim 1, wherein the basic model is a model of a faucet handle.

6. A design support method for generating a model in which a design with irregularities is applied to the surface of a three-dimensional basic model, A step of arranging a first surface containing a number of first points having coordinate information outside the basic model, A step of arranging a second surface, which includes a number of second points having corresponding coordinate information for each first point, on the opposite side from the first surface to the surface of the basic model to which the design is applied, A step of detecting the intersection point between the line connecting the first point and the second point corresponding to the first point and the surface of the basic model, The process involves moving the aforementioned intersection point to match the irregularities of the design, thereby applying the design to the surface of the basic model. Design support methods, including those mentioned above.

7. A program that causes a computer to generate a model in which a design with irregularities is applied to the surface of a three-dimensional basic model, A procedure for arranging a first surface containing a number of first points having coordinate information outside the basic model, A procedure for arranging a second surface, which includes a number of second points having corresponding coordinate information for each first point, on the opposite side from the first surface to the surface of the basic model to which the design is applied, A procedure for detecting the intersection of a line connecting the first point and the second point corresponding to the first point with the surface of the basic model, The procedure involves moving the aforementioned intersection point to match the irregularities of the design, thereby applying the design to the surface of the basic model. A program that causes the aforementioned computer to execute.

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