Layer Flattening Interface for Real-Time Graphic Overlap Preview
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing graphics for cutting or forming with manufacturing machines is challenging due to difficulties in visualizing the final design and reverting to previous stages, making it hard to ensure the design is accurate before implementation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a graphical user interface that allows users to select and manipulate content objects on separate visual layers, enabling real-time visualization and automatic flattening of these layers to create a unique design, which can be implemented on materials using cutting or forming machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple graphics or shapes are used to create a new design, then design creativity and complexity are improved, but visualization of final design and ability to revert to previous stages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The design is divided into multiple layers, each containing specific graphics or shapes. Users can manipulate individual layers independently while visualizing the complete design through layer combination, thus maintaining design creativity while improving visualization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension through version control, allowing users to revert to previous design stages. This adds a time-based dimension to the design process, enabling recovery of past states without losing current design capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple graphics or shapes are used to create a new design, then design creativity and complexity are improved, but ability to revert back to previous stages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The design process is segmented into discrete layers and versions. Each layer can be independently managed and reverted, and the system maintains version history that allows recovery of previous design stages, thus improving ease of repair while maintaining design creativity
Solution Approach 2:
The system tracks changes in design parameters across different versions and layers. By storing version metadata and layer state information, users can revert to previous stages by changing version parameters, making the design process more flexible and reversible
3Reliability
If layers are combined to create final design, then design completeness is improved, but real-time visualization and adjustment capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The layer combination process is made dynamic and interactive. Users can adjust layer properties, positions, and visibility in real-time while the system continuously updates the visualization of the combined design, thus maintaining design completeness while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by continuously updating the visualization as users manipulate layers. This immediate feedback loop allows users to see the effect of their adjustments on the final design in real-time, improving both visualization capability and operational ease while maintaining design completeness
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes executing a design generating program configured to display on a screen a graphical user interface having a virtual canvas window configured to present selected content objects to be incorporated into a unique design, and a content object selection window including available content objects to select from for presentation in the virtual canvas window. The program is configured to: receive, in the content object selection window, selection inputs indicating selection of first and second content objects and display the first and second content objects in the virtual canvas window. The program is further configured to receive, in the virtual canvas window, manipulation inputs to move the first content object to a target position relative to the second content object, and based on the first and second content objects overlapping, generate, for display in the virtual canvas window, the unique design.