3D Model Component Selection via Bearing Vector Traversal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to accurately and consistently select components within a 3D mesh independent of the displayed perspective, making it difficult to achieve precise control over complex animations, especially in areas with tightly packed vertices.
Innovation Solution
The method allows for the traversal and selection of 3D model components based on their surface topology, using directional inputs to navigate and select vertices, edges, and faces, independent of the displayed perspective by storing and utilizing bearing vectors to define directional paths within the 3D model space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If component selection is based on displayed perspective, then selection is simple and intuitive, but selection accuracy deteriorates in areas with tightly packed vertices or hidden components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D display-space selection to 3D model-space selection by introducing bearing vectors that define directional paths through the 3D mesh topology. This allows component selection to occur in the third dimension (through the mesh structure) rather than being constrained to the 2D display plane, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and selection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces bearing vectors as an intermediary data structure that mediates between user input and component selection. These vectors store directional information and traverse the mesh topology to identify target components, acting as a mediator that translates simple directional commands into accurate component selections regardless of display perspective or vertex density.
2Reliability
If directional input is used for traversal, then selection consistency improves across different perspectives, but system complexity increases due to bearing vector storage and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing bearing vectors that encode directional paths through the mesh topology before selection operations occur. This preprocessing step creates a ready-made navigation structure that simplifies subsequent selection operations and ensures consistency across different display perspectives without requiring complex real-time calculations.
3Manufacturing precision
If vertices are densely packed for detailed surfaces, then model precision improves, but selection difficulty increases due to constrained areas and visibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system of selection (mouse hovering, clicking visible components) with a topological traversal system based on bearing vectors. This substitution allows selection to proceed through the mesh structure independently of visual display constraints, making densely packed vertices equally accessible regardless of their position in constrained areas or visibility in the current view.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for traversal selection of components of a geometric model are disclosed. An embodiment includes displaying a plurality of components corresponding to a geometric model, selecting a first component, receiving a first input indicating a first direction for selecting a next component, wherein the next component is connected to the first component by an edge, identifying one or more candidate edges connected to the first component for selecting the next component, determining an angle between an indicated direction vector corresponding to the indicated first direction and each of the one or more candidate edges, and selecting a second component as the next component, wherein the second component is connected to the first component via a particular candidate edge forming a smallest angle with the indicated direction vector.