Vector Object Shading via 3D Mesh Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for automatically shading vector objects lose resolution independence and compact representation when converting them to raster objects for generating lighting and shadow effects, which are not desirable for digital content that needs to be scaled or resized.
Innovation Solution
A shading system that detects points along the boundary of a vector-based object, forms a two-dimensional mesh, generates a three-dimensional mesh by inflating the two-dimensional mesh based on the object's geometry, determines color values based on vertex locations, and blends these with the original vector object to create a shaded vector object, retaining resolution independence and compact representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If vector objects are converted to raster objects for shading, then shading effects are achieved, but resolution independence and compact representation are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by creating a three-dimensional mesh from a two-dimensional vector object boundary. The mesh is inflated along the normal direction to create depth information, which is then used to calculate lighting and shadow effects. This allows shading to be applied while maintaining the original vector object's resolution independence, as the 3D mesh is computed from the 2D vector boundary rather than converting the entire object to raster format.
2Ease of manufacture
If vector objects are converted to raster objects for shading, then shading effects are achieved, but data compactness is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a three-dimensional mesh structure from the two-dimensional vector object boundary by inflating the boundary along normal directions. This 3D mesh contains only the essential geometric information needed for shading calculations, rather than storing full raster pixel data. The shading effects are then applied by calculating color values based on the 3D mesh vertex positions and lighting models, maintaining data compactness while achieving realistic shading.
3Ease of manufacture
If automatic shading is applied to vector objects, then aesthetic improvement is achieved, but vector-based properties are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shading process into distinct components: extracting the vector object boundary, creating a 2D mesh from the boundary, inflating to 3D mesh, calculating lighting based on 3D vertex positions, and compositing with the original vector object. This segmentation allows the shading to be applied as a separate layer or overlay that preserves the original vector object's properties while adding aesthetic enhancement through calculated lighting and shadow effects.
Data Source
AI summary
In implementations of systems for shading vector objects, a computing device implements a shading system which detects points along a boundary of a vector-based object. The shading system forms a two-dimensional mesh based on the detected points. The shading system generates a three-dimensional mesh by inflating the two-dimensional mesh based on a geometry of the vector-based object. Color values are applied to a shading mesh based on locations of vertices of the three-dimensional mesh. The shading system generates a shaded vector-based object by blending the vector-based object and the shading mesh.