Dynamic 3D Surface Sketching for Reversible Model Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for refining and augmenting physical models, such as clay models, are time-consuming and often irreversible, necessitating patching and manual adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a 3D scanner to generate a digital model, an input device for tracing and tracking, and a processor to augment the 3D rendering in real-time, allowing for precise digital modifications and annotations on a physical object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If physical shaping tools are used to refine clay models, then design features can be illustrated and modified, but the process becomes time-consuming and irreversible requiring patching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital 3D copy of the physical clay model through scanning, allowing all refinements to be made in the digital domain rather than physically reshaping the clay. This digital copying enables rapid, reversible modifications without time-consuming manual patching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical shaping tools (physical sculpting instruments) with digital modeling operations. The mechanical process of physically shaping clay is substituted with computational operations on digital 3D data, dramatically reducing time consumption while maintaining design flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical tools are used to shape clay models, then design changes can be made, but the changes are not easily reversible and require patching
Solution Approach 1:
By working with digital copies rather than physical clay, the system enables complete reversibility of design changes. Digital modifications can be undone, edited, or reconfigured without any permanent alteration to the original model, eliminating the need for patching operations entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static, irreversible physical modeling process into a dynamic digital process where design changes can be freely adjusted, reversed, or modified at any stage. The digital model responds dynamically to user input without the constraints of physical material behavior.
3Measurement precision
If manual tracing and tracking devices are used to augment 3D renderings, then precise digital annotations can be added, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tracking device as an intermediary between the user and the digital 3D model. This mediator captures precise spatial information about user gestures and translates them into accurate digital annotations, maintaining measurement precision while managing system complexity through a dedicated interface component.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for three-dimensional (3D) surface sketching are provided. A 3D scanner scans an outer surface of a physical object and outputs data representative of the outer surface. A processor generates, based on the received data, a 3D model of the object and outputs a 3D rendering of the object. A display displays the 3D rendering of the object. An input device physically traces over a portion of the outer surface of the object and a tracking device tracks a positioning of the input device as the input device physically traces over the portion of the outer surface of the object. The processor receives data representative of at least one spatial position of the input device, augments the 3D rendering of the object based at least in part on the data and outputs the augmented 3D rendering to the display.