Axonometric Layer Views for 2D Graphic Content Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In 2D graphic applications, accessing and manipulating occluded content is challenging due to overlapping objects, where the underlying object becomes difficult to select and manipulate, especially as the number of objects increases, leading to cumbersome methods like moving occluding objects or using scene indices that reduce identifying features.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating axonometric views of layers containing overlapping objects, preserving their visual attributes, by determining an object group, calculating layer dimensions to encompass all objects, and providing controls to adjust layer depth and position, allowing for direct access and manipulation without altering the objects' visual attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If objects are overlapped to create complex 2D graphics, then the graphic application can represent complex scenes, but occluded objects become difficult to select and manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension (depth/layer ordering) to the 2D graphic interface by displaying objects in stacked layers with varying transparency. This allows users to access occluded objects by adjusting layer depth without moving them from their original positions, resolving the contradiction between complex graphic representation and ease of object manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses layer transparency and depth adjustment as intermediary mechanisms to access occluded objects. Instead of directly manipulating occluded objects in the 2D plane, users interact with layer depth controls to reveal objects sequentially, making object selection and manipulation easier while preserving the complex overlapping structure.
2Ease of operation
If occluding objects are moved to access underlying objects, then occluded content becomes accessible, but the original location of objects is changed and must be restored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves object access from the 2D plane to the depth dimension by stacking objects in layers. Users access occluded objects by adjusting layer depth rather than moving objects horizontally, eliminating the need to track and restore object positions while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-organizes objects into stacked layers with different transparency levels before user interaction. This preliminary layering structure allows objects to be accessed in a systematic way without requiring users to manually move and reposition objects, simplifying the operation while preserving original locations.
3Ease of operation
If a scene index with thumbnails is used to access objects, then object selection is simplified, but identifying features are reduced and the index grows longer than screen height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the horizontal scrolling list of thumbnails with a vertical stacking of layers. Each layer displays full-size objects with all identifying features visible, and users access objects by moving through the depth dimension. This eliminates the need to scroll through a long index while preserving complete visual information about each object.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using reduced-size thumbnails that lose identifying features, the patent displays full-size object copies in each layer. This allows users to see complete object information (shape, color, size, position) while still providing easy access through layer depth adjustment, eliminating the trade-off between index length and feature preservation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the number of objects in an image grows large, then the graphic application can represent more complex scenes, but each object requires multiple adjustments to be accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent organizes objects into layers that can be systematically accessed through depth adjustment. Instead of requiring multiple separate operations to access different objects, users can efficiently navigate through the layered structure in a single continuous action, reducing access time even as the number of objects increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic layer transparency and depth adjustment that adapts to the number of objects. As more objects are added to the scene, the layer structure automatically accommodates them, and users can access any object by adjusting the depth parameter, maintaining efficient access time regardless of scene complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Providing axonometric views of layers containing objects while preserving the visual attributes of the objects is disclosed. A group of objects, e.g., overlapping objects, is determined. Layer dimensions are calculated such that each object in the group is encompassed by a layer. Objects are placed in the layers and the layers are displayed in axonometric views. Visual cues to indicate selected layers are provided. Controls to adjust the depth of the layers and to enable moving objects in the selected layer are also provided.