3D Frustum Modeling via Single Click-and-Draw Gesture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D modeling tools require expertise and multiple steps to create a frustum, making it difficult for new users and inefficient for experienced users, as they need to perform several operations involving mouse clicks and programming skills.
Innovation Solution
A frustum modeling tool that allows users to create 3D frustums using a single click-and-draw gesture on a computer screen, simplifying the process by recording cursor locations and intersections to define start, end, and intermediate surfaces, and rendering the geometric shape with conventional surface-rendering algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional 3D modeling tools are used to create a frustum, then the frustum can be created with precise control over its geometry, but the process requires multiple steps and user actions including drawing curves, arranging them in order, defining paths, and selecting loft tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate operations (drawing cross-section curves, arranging them in order, defining paths, and applying loft operations) into a single integrated gesture. A user draws a continuous curve that automatically defines all necessary geometric elements, merging what were previously distinct steps into one unified action that produces the same precise geometric result.
Solution Approach 2:
The single draw gesture serves multiple functions simultaneously: it defines the cross-sectional curves, establishes their spatial arrangement, creates the path between them, and triggers the loft operation. This multi-functional gesture replaces the need for separate tools and operations, reducing interaction complexity while maintaining geometric precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional techniques are used to create a frustum, then the user can create complex frustums with multiple surfaces, but the process requires programming skills and knowledge of the 3D coordinate system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of programming and coordinate system manipulation with a direct visual gesture-based interface. Instead of writing code to define vertices and surfaces, users directly draw the desired geometry with a natural gesture, substituting complex procedural operations with an intuitive visual action that achieves the same versatile results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically interprets the drawn gesture to extract all necessary geometric information, eliminating the need for users to manually specify parameters or understand coordinate systems. The software serves itself by automatically calculating and creating the frustum structure from the simple drawing action, making complex operations accessible without specialized knowledge.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional techniques are used to create a frustum, then the user can define start and end surfaces with different shapes, but the process requires drawing two or more separate curves and selecting them in a specific order
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous drawing action to define all surfaces and their relationships in a single unbroken gesture. Instead of drawing separate curves for different surfaces and then arranging them in order, the user continuously draws through all surfaces in the desired sequence, maintaining useful action throughout and eliminating time lost to discrete operations and selection steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for modeling 3-D frustums using a single click-and-draw action. A cursor control device button is pressed at a desired starting point. The user then moves the cursor to draw a curve. When the curve intersects, the shape that has been drawn is saved as a start surface. When the cursor control device button is released, the method may search for one or more other intersections from the end of the curve. If another intersection is found, the intersection defines an end surface. If one or more additional intersections are found, the additional intersections may be used to define intermediate surfaces. The recorded points between the start and end surfaces define the path of the frustum. If a second intersection is not found, the start surface may be duplicated as the end surface. Once the user completes the curve, the frustum defined by the curve may be rendered.