3D Model Translucent Surface Visual Distortion Rendering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional CAD programs lack the ability to realistically distort images and light passing through translucent surfaces in three-dimensional models, resulting in limited visual representation of objects behind such surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A method for creating translucent surfaces within three-dimensional models that applies a distortion effect based on the composition of the surface, using a stencil buffer and mask to accurately render the view through the surface, allowing for realistic visual distortion effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional CAD programs render translucent surfaces without distortion effects, then the rendering process is simple and fast, but the visual representation is unrealistic and fails to show objects behind the surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual realismVSAvoidrendering complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rendering process is divided into distinct stages: identifying the translucent surface, determining objects behind it, applying distortion algorithms, and compositing the final image. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, managing complexity while achieving realistic distortion effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-identifies translucent surfaces and determines which objects are positioned behind them before applying distortion effects. This preliminary analysis enables the distortion rendering to proceed efficiently with pre-computed geometry and material properties, reducing real-time rendering complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If conventional CAD programs apply no distortion to objects behind translucent surfaces, then the processing is computationally simple, but the design visualization lacks accuracy and realism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual accuracyVSAvoidcomputational energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Distortion effects are applied selectively only to regions behind translucent surfaces, not to the entire scene. The system identifies specific areas requiring distortion based on surface material properties and geometry, concentrating computational energy where it is most needed for visual accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The distortion rendering utilizes material parameters (translucency, refraction index, thickness) to dynamically adjust distortion intensity and characteristics. By changing rendering parameters based on surface properties rather than applying uniform distortion, the system achieves visual accuracy with optimized computational energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If conventional CAD programs completely obscure objects behind translucent surfaces, then the privacy and design intent are preserved, but the designer loses the ability to visualize and understand the three-dimensional model accurately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation visibilityVSAvoiddesign visualization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a distorted visual copy of objects behind translucent surfaces rather than completely obscuring them or showing them undistorted. This copied representation preserves the essential form and position information needed for design visualization while mimicking the optical effect of the translucent material, maintaining both information visibility and design intent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2951786B1Visual distortion effects through translucent structures in design software
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 DIRTT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS
  • EP2951786B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2951786B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2951786B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System, methods, and apparatus allow for creating translucent surfaces within a three- dimensional model. One or more implementations render a three-dimensional model of a layout of a design space within an architectural design environment. Additionally, one or more implementations identify a first portion of the three-dimensional model that is positioned behind a translucent surface within the three-dimensional model. Furthermore, one or more implementations render a visual distortion effect for the identified first portion of the three-dimensional model. Further still, one or more implementations display on a display device the three-dimensional model comprising the translucent surface, such that the three- dimensional model is displayed behind the translucent surface in a distorted form based on the rendered distortion effect.