3D Bounding Box Grouping for Exploded View Assembly Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for designing and authoring technical illustrations, such as 3D VIA Composer, lack efficient tools for manipulating groups of parts or objects in an exploded view, leading to loss of information and complex reorganization processes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using three-dimensional bounding boxes to group and reorganize objects, allowing for easy modification of exploded views by changing the content and relative position of bounding boxes with interactive controls, enabling precise alignment and reordering of objects with minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional exploded view manipulation methods are used, then individual object manipulation is possible, but reorganizing groups of objects is difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual objects into a single bounding box container, allowing users to manipulate entire groups of objects as one unit. This resolving the contradiction by enabling easy group reorganization (improving ease of operation) while the system automatically handles the complexity of individual object management (reducing perceived device complexity).
Solution Approach 2:
The bounding box acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple individual objects. Users interact with the bounding box rather than individually selecting and manipulating each object, which simplifies the reorganization process for object groups while maintaining precise control over individual components.
2Productivity
If exploded view mode is exited to rearrange objects, then reorganization is possible, but information is lost and many manipulations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary grouping of objects into bounding boxes before manipulation is needed. This allows users to directly rearrange pre-grouped objects without needing to exit exploded view mode or perform time-consuming reselection operations, thereby improving productivity and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The bounding boxes and their contained objects maintain dynamic relationships within the exploded view mode. Objects can be rearranged while preserving their group memberships and relative positions, enabling continuous manipulation without exiting the informative exploded view context.
3Ease of operation
If individual parts are selected for positioning, then precise control is achieved, but granular selection requires significant effort
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual parts are merged into a single bounding box selection unit. Users can position and manipulate multiple parts simultaneously by selecting and dragging the bounding box, dramatically reducing the number of selection actions required compared to individual part selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bounding box serves multiple functions: it acts as a selection container, a positioning handle, and a group management tool. This multi-functionality allows users to perform various operations on multiple parts through a single interface element, reducing operational effort and the number of required actions.
4Manufacturing precision
If groups of objects are reorganized simultaneously, then alignment management is improved, but existing tools lack this capability
Solution Approach 1:
Objects are merged into bounding box groups that can be reorganized simultaneously while maintaining precise alignment. The bounding box structure preserves spatial relationships and enables coordinated movement of multiple objects, achieving high alignment precision for group reorganization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments objects into manageable bounding box groups, allowing simultaneous reorganization of multiple groups with precise alignment control. Each bounding box can be independently positioned while maintaining relationships with other groups, providing both precision and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method for manipulating three-dimensional modeled objects of an assembly in a three-dimensional scene, comprising the steps of: - determining at least a first set of at least one object and a second set of at least one object among said three-dimensional modeled objects of the assembly; - grouping the at least one object of the first set in a first three-dimensional bounding box (BB) and the at least one object of the second set in a second three-dimensional bounding box (BB); and relatively reorganizing the bounding boxes (BB).