Obscured Object Selection in 3D CAD via Visibility Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D CAD systems require engineers to predict the location of obscured entities, making it difficult to select them due to obscuration by other entities, and do not allow the use of the standard point-and-click selection technique, leading to inefficiencies and user frustration.
Innovation Solution
A method that temporarily hides obscuring entities, allowing obscured objects to become visible and selectable using the customary point-and-click technique by modifying their visibility characteristics, such as making them transparent or invisible, and enabling direct selection without predicting their location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If engineers use standard point-and-click selection technique on displayed entities, then selection is simple and direct, but obscured entities cannot be selected because they are hidden by other entities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary selection mechanism that operates behind the scenes. When an entity is obscured, the system provides alternative selection methods (such as selection by name, selection by highlighting in a list, or other indirect selection techniques) that act as mediators to enable selection of the hidden entity without requiring direct visual access. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation for visible entities while extending selection capability to obscured entities through alternative pathways.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If engineers transform the model to make hidden entities visible, then obscured entities become visible, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing information about obscured entities before the selection process begins. The system identifies which entities are obscured, prepares alternative selection data (such as entity names, locations, or hierarchical paths), and makes this information ready in advance. When selection is needed, the engineer can directly access this pre-prepared information without performing complex model transformations, thus reducing the complexity and time required to select hidden entities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If engineers use alternative selection methods for obscured entities, then obscured entities become selectable, but the standard point-and-click technique cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a multi-functional selection system that can handle both visible and obscured entities through a unified interface. The selection mechanism is designed to automatically detect whether the target entity is visible or obscured and adaptively apply the appropriate selection method. For visible entities, it uses the simple point-and-click technique; for obscured entities, it seamlessly transitions to alternative methods such as selection from a generated list or by name, all through the same user interface. This universal approach maintains ease of operation while extending versatility to cover all entity types regardless of visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Selecting an obscured object of a computer-generated model consisting of a plurality of objects displayed on a computer screen includes receiving input data interpreted as an instruction to change a visibility characteristic of a first one of the plurality of objects (the first one of the objects obscuring another of the objects, and the first object being determined based on the location of an on-screen cursor), and modifying a visibility characteristic of the first object to cause another one of the objects to become discernable and selectable.