US5544291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resolution-independent method for displaying a three dimensional model in two-dimensional display space
Assignee: Adobe Inc
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Filing: 1993-11-10
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Granted: 1996-08-06
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Expires: 2013-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A method for rendering a graphics image of a three-dimensional graphics model is described. The method consists of the steps of projecting a parametric surface representation of the three-dimensional graphics model into a two-dimensional parametric space; mapping an array of grid points onto the parametric space; evaluating a shading function at each grid point to form an array shading values; applying a contouring function to the array of shading values to determine boundary curves for regions of constant shading; applying a silhouette function to the parametric surface representation of the three-dimensional graphics model to determine the boundaries for regions of consistent-facing; clipping the regions of constant shading by the regions of consistent-facing to determine consistent-facing regions of constant color; mapping the regions of constant shading back to the surface of the three-dimensional model; occluding hidden surfaces; mapping the clipped regions of constant shading to display space; and filling the regions of constant shading in display space. The regions of constant shading are available for editing by a two-dimensional drawing package.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn G. Gilley
- 👤 Brice W. Tebbs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06T; G06T15/00; G06T15/04; G06T15/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A computer implemented method of displaying a three-dimensional model having one or more surfaces, the method comprising computer controlled steps of: providing the three-dimensional model in a computer readable medium of a computer system; projecting a parametric surface representation of the three-dimensional model into two-dimensional parametric space; selecting surface regions of predetermined shading in the two-dimensional parametric space by; a. mapping an array of grid points onto the two-dimensional parametric space; b. forming an array of shading values by applying a shading function at each grid point; and c. applying a contouring function to the array of shading values to select the surface regions of predetermined shading; determining the boundaries of consistent-facing regions boundaries of the consistent-facing regions by applying a silhouette function to the parametric surface representation of the three-dimensional model; clipping the regions of predetermined shading by the boundaries of the consistent-facing regions to derive consistent-facing regions having the predetermined shading; mapping the derived consistent-facing regions to display space; and displaying the mapped consistent-facing regions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A computer implemented method of displaying a three-dimensional model having one or more surfaces, the method comprising computer controlled steps of: providing the three-dimensional model in a computer readable medium of a computer system; projecting a parametric surface representation of the three-dimensional model into two-dimensional parametric space; selecting surface regions of predetermined shading in the two-dimensional parametric space by; a. mapping an array of grid points onto the two-dimensional parametric space; b. forming an array of shading values by applying a shading function at each grid point; and c. applying a contouring function to the array of shading values to select the surface regions of predetermined shading; determining the boundaries of consistent-facing regions boundaries of the consistent-facing regions by applying a silhouette function to the parametric surface representation of the three-dimensional model; clipping the regions of predetermined shading by the boundaries of the consistent-facing regions to derive consistent-facing regions having the predetermined shading; mapping the derived consistent-facing regions to display space; and displaying the mapped consistent-facing regions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined shading is constant shading.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the three-dimensional model is composed of one or more bicubic patch meshes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the selecting of the surface regions of predetermined shading and the determining of the boundaries of the consistent-facing regions are performed concurrently.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined shading is determined by applying a shading function to the parametric surface representation of the three-dimensional model.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface regions are selected by applying a shading function to the parametric surface representation of the three-dimensional model.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the shading function is: v=(S N+d)r where v is an output shading value; S is a light source illumination vector; N is a surface normal at said grid point; d is a diffuse illumination constant; and r is reflectivity of a surface of said three-dimensional model at said grid point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said three-dimensional model has a color, the method further comprising: specifying a first illumination color; specifying a second illumination color; specifying a threshold value; computing a blend factor corresponding to a fractional weight between said three-dimensional model color and the first illumination color if said blend factor is less than or equal to the threshold value, and the blend factor corresponds to a fractional weight between the three-dimensional model color and the second illumination color if the blend factor is greater than the threshold value.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for rendering a two-dimensional image to appear to conform to a surface of a three-dimensional model wherein the two-dimensional image is defined by curves in a two-dimensional coordinate system, comprising: representing the three-dimensional model in two-dimensional parametric space; establishing a correspondence between the two-dimensional coordinate system and the two-dimensional parametric space representation of the three-dimensional model; computing shading contours for the two-dimensional image based upon its three-dimensional surface geometry by selecting of the surface regions of predetermined shading in two-dimensional parametric space including: a. mapping an array of grid points onto the two-dimensional parametric space; b. forming an array of shading values by applying a shading function at each grid point; and c. applying a contouring function to the array of shading values to select the surface regions of predetermined shading; clipping the shading contours to determine regions of constant shading by applying a silhouette function to the parametric surface representation of the three-dimensional model; mapping the regions of constant shading to a display space; and displaying the image.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for rendering a two-dimensional image to appear to conform to a surface of a three-dimensional model wherein the two-dimensional image is defined by curves in a two-dimensional coordinate system, comprising: representing the three-dimensional model in two-dimensional parametric space; establishing a correspondence between the two-dimensional coordinate system and the two-dimensional parametric space representation of the three-dimensional model; computing shading contours for the two-dimensional image based upon its three-dimensional surface geometry by selecting of the surface regions of predetermined shading in two-dimensional parametric space including: a. mapping an array of grid points onto the two-dimensional parametric space; b. forming an array of shading values by applying a shading function at each grid point; and c. applying a contouring function to the array of shading values to select the surface regions of predetermined shading; clipping the shading contours to determine regions of constant shading by applying a silhouette function to the parametric surface representation of the three-dimensional model; mapping the regions of constant shading to a display space; and displaying the image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the regions of constant shading in display space are filled before they are displayed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said three-dimensional model has a color, said method further comprising: specifying a first illumination color; specifying a second illumination color; specifying a threshold value; computing a blend factor corresponding to a fractional weight between said three-dimensional model color and said first illumination color if said blend factor is less than or equal to said threshold value, and said blend factor corresponds to a fractional weight between the three-dimensional model color and said second illumination color if said blend factor is greater than said threshold value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-06 | 2000-02-05 | 2000-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-06 | 2004-02-05 | 2004-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-06 | 2008-02-05 | 2008-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |