3D Model Access for Obscured Elements on Small Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale capital projects require comprehensive 3D visualizations, but conventional methods make it difficult to access visually obscured elements on small display devices due to navigation complexities and loss of context, especially when using plant design programs on mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
Systems and methods that superimpose representations of visually obscured elements on the view plane of a 3D model, allowing users to select and investigate them without cumbersome navigation, using user inputs like gestures to define regions and display obscured elements in linear or circular configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional navigation methods are used to access obscured elements in 3D models on small displays, then the display device can show 3D visualizations, but users experience navigation complexities and loss of context
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 3D model into visible elements and obscured elements. When a user selects a visible element, the system separately displays representations of related obscured elements in a second set of representations, allowing access to hidden components without complex navigation through the entire model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary display mechanism that shows representations of obscured elements adjacent to their corresponding visible elements. This intermediary interface mediates between the user and the hidden model components, providing context-aware access without requiring full model navigation.
2Loss of information
If users navigate to access obscured elements in 3D models on mobile devices, then they can view hidden components, but they lose context and require extensive graphical interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display of visible elements and obscured elements into a unified interface. Representations of obscured elements are displayed adjacent to their corresponding visible elements, combining context preservation with access to hidden components in a single view rather than requiring separate navigation screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified representations (copies) of obscured elements that can be displayed without requiring users to navigate to the actual 3D model location. These representations contain sufficient information to identify and access the hidden components while maintaining the context of their relationship to visible elements.
3Quantity of substance
If comprehensive 3D visualizations are used for large-scale capital projects, then all project elements can be represented, but many components become difficult to see on small monitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a second dimensional layer to the display by showing representations of obscured elements adjacent to visible elements. This creates a multi-layered information display where the first set of representations shows visible 3D model elements and the second set shows obscured elements, effectively utilizing the limited display area to present comprehensive project information.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method provides access to visually obscured elements of a three-dimensional model on a screen of a computing device. The method displays, on the screen of the computing device, a view plane of the three-dimensional model showing at least one visible element. The at least one visible element at least partially obstructs at least one visually obstructed element of the three-dimensional model. The method also defines a region at a location on the screen associated with the at least one visible element of the three-dimensional model. In response to input relating to the region, the method superimposes a representation of the at least one visually obscured element over the view plane.