Virtual Surface Panning for Stable 3D Camera Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for navigating a three-dimensional environment with a virtual camera become unstable when the camera's perspective is nearly tangential to the model, resulting in disorienting large movements with small user input.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a virtual surface to control panning, which reduces the movement of the three-dimensional model by using a virtual surface in conjunction with a panning sphere, ensuring a smooth and stable rotation experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a virtual camera is used to navigate in a three dimensional environment, then the user can interact with the environment, but the panning becomes unstable when the camera's perspective is nearly tangential to the model
Solution Approach 1:
A virtual surface is introduced as an intermediary between the user input and the camera movement. This virtual surface acts as a mediator that transforms user input into controlled camera panning movements, preventing direct tangential interactions from causing instability. The virtual surface processes the input and applies constraints to maintain stable camera behavior even when the camera perspective is nearly tangential to the model.
2Speed
If the virtual camera pans at high speed, then the navigation response is fast, but the movement becomes abrupt and disorienting when tangential
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the panning behavior based on the camera's current perspective relative to the model. When the camera approaches a tangential orientation, the virtual surface automatically modifies the panning response to prevent abrupt movements. The dynamics of the system change in real-time, transitioning from high-speed responsive panning to constrained, smoother movement when tangential conditions are detected, thereby maintaining both speed and stability.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present invention relates to panning a virtual camera in a three dimensional environment. In an embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method pans a virtual camera in a three dimensional environment. In the method embodiment, a first point is determined on a three dimensional model in the three dimensional environment. According to the first point, the three dimensional model, and a position of a virtual camera in the three dimensional environment, a virtual surface is determined. A second point is determined on the virtual surface. Finally, a location of the three dimensional model is changed according to the first point and the second point.