Cutting Path Visualization Using Normal Maps for Fast Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in realistically visualizing cutting paths in virtual environments with high precision and safety, particularly in applications like surgical procedures and disaster environments, while also requiring efficient calculation methods.
Innovation Solution
A method for visualizing a cutting path in a simulation apparatus that involves setting initial points for a cutting tool, calculating the incident depth and angle based on a normal vector, generating a normal map, and repeatedly performing these steps to visualize the cutting path without modifying the target object's mesh.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to visualize cutting paths in virtual environments, then measurement precision and realism are improved, but calculation complexity and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses normal maps as a simplified copy or representation of the actual cutting path geometry. Instead of calculating and rendering complex 3D cutting path data, the system projects cutting information onto a 2D normal map that can be efficiently processed and displayed, maintaining visual realism while reducing computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional geometric calculation methods with a normal map-based visualization approach. By using normal maps to encode cutting path information through surface normal variations rather than explicit geometric modeling, the system substitutes complex mechanical calculation processes with more efficient texture mapping operations
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed cutting path visualization is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores normal map data that encodes cutting path information. By preparing this visualization data in advance or updating it incrementally during simulation, the system avoids performing complex cutting path calculations in real-time, thus maintaining precision while reducing processing time during actual simulation execution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the representation parameters of the cutting path from explicit 3D geometric coordinates to implicit normal map texture data. This parameter transformation allows the same cutting path information to be stored and processed more efficiently, reducing the computational burden while preserving the precision needed for accurate visualization
Data Source
AI summary
A method for visualizing a cutting path in a simulation apparatus includes setting a first point representing a start of the cutting tool and a second point representing an end of the cutting tool, obtaining a third point representing an intersection of the target object and the cutting tool based on the first point and the second point, calculating an incident depth and an incident angle of the cutting tool based on a normal vector that is orthogonal to a first plane of the target object including the third point, the first point, the second point, and the third point, generating a normal map based on the incident angle, the incident depth, a first depth representing a maximum depth at which the target object is able to be cut by the cutting tool, and the third point, and visualizing the cutting path representing lines obtained by connecting the third points.