3D Cursor Axis Selection for Intuitive Object Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional modeling techniques face challenges with cumbersome and non-intuitive manipulation of objects in a three-dimensional scene, particularly due to visual occlusion and complexity of immersive Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and the inflexibility and high cost of 3D input devices.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a cursor controlled by a pointing device that represents three axes of a coordinate system, allowing for intuitive manipulation by selecting an axis based on cursor translation, with options for explicit or implicit object selection and performing transformations such as translation, rotation, or scaling along the selected axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If immersive Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) with interactors are used to manipulate three-dimensional objects, then the intuitiveness of manipulation is improved, but visual occlusion of the object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the manipulation functionality from traditional immersive interactors and integrates it directly into the cursor. The cursor itself becomes the interactor, eliminating the need for separate bounding boxes or manipulation widgets that cause visual occlusion. This allows the user to manipulate objects intuitively while maintaining clear visibility of the object being manipulated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cursor and interactor functions into a single integrated element. The cursor not only points to objects but also directly performs manipulation operations through gesture recognition. This consolidation eliminates the visual clutter of separate interactors while preserving intuitive manipulation capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional immersive interactors are used, then three-dimensional manipulation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cursor-based interface that can perform all three-dimensional manipulation operations (translation, rotation, scaling) without requiring different interactors for different tasks. The system automatically recognizes the user's gesture intent and applies the appropriate transformation, eliminating the need for users to understand or select from multiple interactor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines the type of manipulation desired based on the user's gesture characteristics without requiring explicit user selection. The cursor analyzes the gesture pattern and autonomously applies the correct transformation operation, reducing the cognitive load and complexity for the user.
3Ease of operation
If pointing devices are used for manipulation, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to define three-dimensional manipulation is worsened due to two-dimensional input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the two-dimensional input limitation by interpreting cursor gestures in three-dimensional space. The system analyzes the trajectory, duration, and spatial characteristics of cursor movements to infer three-dimensional manipulation intentions. This allows standard two-dimensional pointing devices to effectively control three-dimensional object transformations without requiring specialized 3D input hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for manipulating at least one three-dimensionally modeled object (O1) in a three-dimensional scene displayed on a computer display. The method displays, in the three-dimensional scene, a cursor (C) controlled by a pointing device (PD). The cursor has a shape representing three axes (X, Y, Z) of a coordinate system. Next the method selects an object of the three-dimensional scene; and detects a drag operation performed by a user using the pointing device. The drag operation translates the cursor and selects an axis of the coordinate system as a function of the translation of the cursor. Also the method performs a manipulation of the selected object. The manipulation depends on the selected axis and on a length (L) of the translation of the cursor (PP) along the selected axis.