Virtual Object Boundary Rendering with Curved Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

In sandbox type games, the boundary lines between objects with different attributes appear unnatural, particularly when cubic objects like 'rock' and 'grass' are adjacent, resulting in straight lines that disrupt terrain compatibility.

Innovation Solution

A computer apparatus and method that places rectangular parallelepipeds with specific attributes in a virtual space, using display mode identifiers to adjust the appearance of faces not in contact with other objects, prioritizing the display mode based on object attributes to create a natural boundary between adjacent objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If cubic objects with straight boundaries are placed adjacent to each other, then the placement and generation process is simple, but the boundary line between objects becomes unnatural and incompatible with terrain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject placement simplicityVSAvoidboundary line naturalness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the boundary lines between adjacent cubic objects by rounding the edges and corners where objects meet. This transforms the sharp straight boundaries of cubic objects into curved, natural-looking transitions that blend better with terrain, while maintaining the underlying cubic structure for simple placement and generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If objects with different attributes are placed adjacent to each other, then the virtual space can represent diverse terrain, but the straight boundary line creates visual incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain diversityVSAvoidboundary line compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different display modes to different regions of object boundaries based on local conditions. When objects with different attributes are adjacent, the boundary regions display blended or transitional characteristics that are different from the interior regions, creating local visual adjustments that enhance terrain compatibility while maintaining overall terrain diversity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10621761B2Computer-readable recording medium, computer apparatus, and computer processing method for placing object in virtual space and displaying placed object according to display mode

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 SQUARE ENIX HLDG CO LTD

AI summary

A program and computer apparatus to execute a method including: placing an object having a given attribute and a display mode according to the given attribute in a virtual space; identifying a first display mode of a face of a placed object which is not in contact with a different placed object according to an attribute of the placed object; identifying, with respect to at least one of a plurality of placed objects which are adjacent to each other and have different attributes, a second display mode of a face thereof which is not in contact with the different placed object according to an attribute of the placed object and an attribute of an adjacent placed object; and drawing, for displaying a placed object on a display screen, according to any one of the first display mode identified and the second display mode identified.