Animation Preset GUI for 3D Model Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D animation techniques require users to have a deep understanding of CAD applications and manual definition of complex mathematical relationships, limiting accessibility and efficiency, especially for users without CAD experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to select animation presets defining combinations of animation features to render against 3D models, enabling users to animate objects without defining functional relationships between sub-objects, using a graphical user interface to choose from predefined animation presets and intensity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually define functional relationships between sub-objects and reference systems in CAD applications, then 3D model animations can be generated, but users require deep understanding of mathematical definitions and parametric modeling schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the complex CAD system. This intermediary provides pre-configured templates and automated functional relationship definitions that translate user-friendly selections into the mathematical definitions required by the CAD system, eliminating the need for users to directly understand parametric modeling schemes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining functional relationships, mathematical definitions, and animation parameters before the user needs them. The system comes pre-configured with templates that automatically establish the complex connections between sub-objects and reference systems, so users don't need to perform these complex setup tasks manually
2Manufacturing precision
If powerful CAD applications are used to generate and animate 3D models, then accurate and informative visualizations are achieved, but the applications are costly and cumbersome to learn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex CAD application into distinct functional modules: a simplified user interface layer, a template management layer, and the underlying CAD engine. This segmentation allows users to interact only with the simple interface layer while the other layers handle the complex operations, maintaining visualization accuracy without requiring users to learn the entire CAD system
3Reliability
If 3D animations are generated within the same CAD application, then functional relationships are maintained, but the output video files are static and cannot be dynamically modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling bidirectional data flow between the CAD application and external presentation software. Animation parameters and functional relationships are maintained in a modifiable state that allows dynamic adjustment in the presentation environment, transforming the static video output into a dynamically adjustable animation that can be modified based on different presentation contexts
Data Source
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AI summary
An animation preset graphical user interface (GUI) enables users to select a 3D model of an object and to further select between multiple animation presets that each individually cause a 3D animation engine to apply combinations of animation features against the 3D model. An exemplary animation preset may cause the object to translate across a display area (e.g., move from left to right across screen) while simultaneously rotating against a rotational axis (e.g., spinning so that different surfaces of the object become more prominent). The animation preset GUI may enable the user to dynamically toggle through different intensity levels to cause a selected animation preset to be rendered in accordance with different acceleration parameters and/or magnitude parameters. The animation preset GUI may enable the user to dynamically toggle between predefined animation spaces for animating the object. Animation-parameters may be persisted to a file to enable future editing of the animations.