3D Object Positioning Interface with Translucent Depth Mesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for users to accurately position three-dimensional objects in a virtual space, particularly when objects are not adjacent in the x-y plane, as it is difficult to determine their z-dimensional location relative to other objects.
Innovation Solution
A control interface is provided that allows users to manipulate 3-D graphical objects by selecting them and using controls for rotation, size adjustment, and positional adjustment, including a z-translation control that changes the camera view and displays a translucent mesh in the x-y coordinate plane to help visualize depth, with options for resizing and rotating the objects around various axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a standard 2D interface is used to position 3D objects, then the interface is simple and easy to understand, but the user cannot accurately perceive and control the z-dimensional position of objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing a translucent mesh plane that extends into the z-dimension from the 2D display. This mesh plane provides visual depth cues that allow users to perceive z-position without leaving the 2D interface, effectively adding a third visual dimension to the control system while maintaining 2D interaction simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent mesh plane acts as an intermediary element between the 2D interface and the 3D object space. It mediates the user's perception of depth by providing visual reference points that correlate with z-position, allowing accurate depth control without requiring complex 3D visualization or multiple display surfaces.
2Measurement precision
If the camera view remains static during object manipulation, then the interface is stable and simple, but the user cannot get a better perspective of the object's z-location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the camera view automatically adjustable in response to user interaction with depth controls. When the user activates the depth control, the camera dynamically changes its viewing angle to provide an optimized perspective for observing z-position, allowing accurate depth perception without requiring manual camera manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by automatically adjusting the camera view to show the object from a perspective that maximizes z-position visibility. This feedback loop allows users to accurately perceive depth by presenting the optimal viewing angle in response to depth control activation, without adding complex manual camera controls.
3Measurement precision
If no depth reference is provided in the interface, then the interface is clean and uncluttered, but the user cannot compare the depth of objects in the virtual drawing space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing the translucent mesh plane specifically at the location of the selected object in 3D space. This localized depth reference provides accurate z-position information for the object being manipulated without adding global visual clutter to the entire scene, maintaining interface cleanliness while enabling precise depth comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent mesh plane uses visual properties (translucency and likely color coding) to differentiate the depth reference from other interface elements. This visual distinction allows users to easily identify and interpret depth information without the reference elements blending into or cluttering the overall interface, maintaining clarity while providing depth comparison capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the technology described herein provide a control interface for manipulating a 3-D graphical object within a virtual drawing space. The control can be activated by selecting a graphical object or objects. When multiple objects are selected, the manipulations can occur as a group. In one aspect, the manipulations occur around the centroid of the 3-D graphical object, or groups of objects. The manipulations can include rotation, size adjustment, and positional adjustment within the virtual drawing space. The control interface comprises a visible mesh that helps the user position the object in space relative to other objects.