3D Content Library Projection for Coherent Environment Authoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Authoring 3D environments with content libraries is challenging due to complexities in accurate representation and interaction control, leading to labor-intensive trial and error for optimal object placement and arrangement, which can cause occlusion and incoherent appearances, detracting from the user experience.
Innovation Solution
An authoring application automatically places and arranges 2D or 3D content items in a 3D environment using a cylindrical coordinate system, considering viewer depth reception, field of view, and relative object positions, generating an environment data file for distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If objects are arranged in a 2D grid in a 3D environment, then the content library can be imported and displayed, but occlusion occurs and objects appear incoherent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D grid arrangement to 3D spatial distribution by projecting objects onto a unit sphere surface. Each object is positioned at specific spherical coordinates (theta, phi) representing directions from the viewer, creating a three-dimensional arrangement that eliminates occlusion while maintaining comprehensive content display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a spherical projection model where objects are distributed across the surface of a unit sphere centered at the viewer's position. This curved spatial arrangement ensures that objects are positioned at optimal viewing angles, preventing occlusion and maintaining visual coherence while maximizing the content library display.
2Ease of operation
If manual trial and error is used for object placement, then optimal arrangement can be achieved, but the process becomes labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated projection system that automatically calculates and positions objects based on their content characteristics and viewer parameters. The system self-adjusts the spatial arrangement by projecting objects onto the unit sphere according to mathematical formulas, eliminating the need for manual trial and error while ensuring optimal viewing positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the object arrangement problem into a parameter optimization problem by using spherical coordinates (theta, phi) to represent object positions. The system automatically adjusts these angular parameters based on object properties and viewer characteristics, achieving optimal placement through mathematical computation rather than manual adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If objects are placed close to the viewer for better visibility, then viewing experience improves, but depth perception and spatial coherence become difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the visibility-depth conflict by transitioning from linear depth positioning to angular positioning on a sphere. Objects are positioned at the surface of a unit sphere at appropriate angular distances from the viewer, allowing clear visibility while maintaining proper depth perception through the spherical geometry that preserves spatial relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an equipotential viewing experience by positioning objects on the surface of a unit sphere, where every object is at an equal radial distance (radius = 1) from the viewer. This ensures consistent viewing distances and proper depth perception while maintaining optimal visibility through the spherical distribution that prevents any single object from being too close or too far.
Data Source
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AI summary
Computing devices for content library projection in computer-based 3D environments are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a computing device is configured to provide, on a display, a user interface containing a work area having a template of a 3D environment and a gallery containing models of two-dimensional (2D) or 3D content items. The computing device can then detect, via the user interface, a user input selecting the content library to be inserted as an object into the template of the 3D environment. In response to detecting the user input, the computing device can render and surface on the display, graphical representations of the 2D or 3D content items corresponding to the models in the selected content library along a circle having a center spaced apart from a default position of a viewer of the 3D environment by a preset distance.