Voxel-Based Design Model for Real-Time Rendering and Heat Map Computation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional specialized design software for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) faces challenges such as requiring expertise to modify continuous geometries, slow rendering processes, inability to render modifications in real-time, and processor-intensive simulation techniques that cause latency in computing and rendering heat maps.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a voxel-based approach, where a design model is represented as a three-dimensional grid of discrete voxels, allowing modifications by adding, removing, or enhancing voxels, and enabling real-time rendering and heat map computation based on visual properties and performance metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional continuous geometry-based design models are used, then design precision and structural accuracy are improved, but user accessibility and ease of modification deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments continuous geometry into discrete voxel units that form a 3D grid structure. Each voxel represents a simplified geometric primitive that can be independently manipulated through basic operations (add, remove, modify), transforming complex continuous geometry editing into discrete block-based operations that are accessible to novice users while maintaining overall design accuracy.
2Reliability
If conventional continuous geometry-based optimization techniques are used, then optimization thoroughness is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optimization process is segmented into discrete voxel-level operations rather than continuous geometry manipulation. The system evaluates and optimizes individual voxels or small groups of voxels independently, allowing parallel processing and significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining comprehensive optimization coverage across the entire design model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements incremental optimization that can operate on partial sets of voxels rather than requiring complete model optimization. Users can perform optimization on selected regions or iterate through multiple passes with varying levels of detail, enabling fast preliminary optimizations without sacrificing thoroughness when needed.
3Speed
If real-time rendering is implemented for voxel-based design models, then user interaction responsiveness is improved, but rendering quality and visual fidelity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rendering system applies local quality adjustments by rendering only the modified or selected regions of the voxel model at high fidelity, while other regions use lower-resolution representations. This allows real-time rendering responsiveness while maintaining visual accuracy where it matters most for user interaction and decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A voxel-based design approach enables the creating and modifying of a design model comprising a 3D grid of discrete voxels that is represented by a voxel data structure. The voxel data structure comprises voxel-level entries, each entry corresponding to a voxel based on the 3D location within the 3D grid. The voxel data structure includes a design-level entry for storing design-level performance metrics. The system updates the voxel data structure to reflect user modifications to the design model and renders a visualization of the updated design model. The system displays a per-voxel heat map for the design model for a selected performance metric based on the voxel data structure. The design system displays multiple optimized design solutions based on corresponding optimized voxel data structures. The system generates the multiple optimized design solutions based on a voxel-based optimization technique. The system also performs a voxel-based recommendation visualization technique.