Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graphic manipulation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-11-27
Luu, Matthew (Department: 2672)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graphic manipulation
C345S619000, C345S629000, C345S442000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323879
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer software and, more specifically, to a method for determining the spacing of objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The spacing of objects has been a fundamental problem through history. Architecture design programs, generally known as computer aided design (CAD) programs, provide a planning mechanism that allows individuals to simulate the architecture and physical layout of a particular design. By simulating the layout of a particular design, a significant reduction in manufacturing costs may be realized as mistakes are identified and corrected and design changes are made prior to construction or manufacturing of the particular design
In certain cases, a design may require a particular type of object to be placed at multiple locations within a particular area (the “target area”). For example, a building design may require that windows be placed fifteen feet apart on each floor of the building.
To determine the spacing of objects, typical design programs query the user to enter a “requested object count” and a “requested spacing offset”. The requested object count indicates a number of objects that the user wishes to place in the target area. The requested spacing offset indicates a particular spacing that the user wishes to achieve between each object. The user may also specify a start location and a particular direction for the spacing objects.
To map the object into the target area, the design program identifies and places an object at the starting location, typically referenced as location (
0
,
0
) relative to the target area. The design program then identifies a next location based on the requested spacing offset and places an object at the next identified location. This process is repeated until the “requested” number of objects have been mapped.
A drawback associated with spacing objects in this manner is that the requested object count and requested spacing offset may not correctly conform to the boundaries of the target area. For example, if the “requesting” spacing of windows or the “requested” window count is too high, some windows may be placed beyond the end of the wall in which they are to be built. Thus, the user is required to repeatedly modify the requested object count and spacing offset values on a trial and error basis to achieve a desired spacing of objects for the particular area.
For example,
FIG. 1A
illustrates the mapping of objects as performed by the prior art As depicted,
FIG. 1A
includes areas
102
and
104
in which a set of window objects
106
and
108
are respectively mapped. For area
102
, the user specified a requested object count equal to “4” and a requested spacing offset equal to “10”. Because the requested object count and requested spacing offset do not correctly conform to the area
102
, the placement of window object
106
does not correctly conform to area
102
. Conversely, for area
104
, the user specified a requested object count equal to “5” and a requested spacing offset equal to “10”. Here again, because the requested object count and requested spacing offset do not correctly conform to the area
104
, the placement of window object
108
does not correctly conform to area
102
. Thus, to cause the window objects
106
and
108
to correctly conform with areas
102
and
104
, the user must modify either or both of the requested object count or requested spacing offset values and again wait for the design program to map the objects into the corresponding areas to determine whether the requested object count and requested spacing offset correctly conform to the corresponding areas.
Another drawback with the prior art is that the spacing of objects can only be performed in a single direction. Therefore, a user cannot easily perform the spacing of objects in a multi-dimensional area For example,
FIG. 1B
depicts a side of a building
120
for which a user requires window objects
122
to be spaced on multiple floors
124
,
126
,
128
and
130
. To cause the spacing of widow object
122
to conform to floor
130
, the user repeatedly interacts with a design program to enter the appropriate requested object count and requested spacing offset values for floor
130
. Likewise, to cause the spacing of widow object
122
to conform to floor
128
, the user repeatedly interacts with the design program to enter the appropriate requested object count and requested spacing offset values for floor
128
. However, because a user can only define the spacing of objects in a single direction, the user cannot easily control the spacing of window object
122
between floors
128
and
130
.
Based on the foregoing, it is highly desirable to provide a mechanism that can be used for the spacing of objects without having to repeatedly map the objects on a trial and error basis to obtain a desired spacing.
It is also highly desirable to provide a mechanism that performs spacing of objects for multi-dimensional areas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and system for determining the spacing of objects is described.
According to the method, input is received that indicates bounds of at least one dimension of a constraint. A set of supplied parameter values associated with a particular type of grid is also received. A set of generated parameter values for the particular type of grid is then generated based on the set of supplied parameter values and the input indicating bounds of at least one dimension of a constraint. A set of points for spacing objects is generated based on the set of supplied parameter values and said set of generated parameter values.
According to one aspect, a set of object information is received that identifies a particular object to be placed on the constraint at locations that are based on the set of points.
According to another aspect, the set of object information identifies a bounding box that is associated with the particular object. The bounding box is then used to generate the set of generated parameters.
According to another aspect, a set of object locations is determined by mapping the set of points to the constraint. In certain aspects, pivot point information is received that specifies the placement of objects relative to the generated set of points. Objects are placed on the target constraint such that the pivot points of the objects coincide with the object locations.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5301284 (1994-04-01), Estes et al.
patent: 5590247 (1996-12-01), Mikuni
patent: 5623593 (1997-04-01), Spells, III
patent: 5796401 (1998-08-01), Winer
patent: 5803629 (1998-09-01), Neville et al.
Autodesk, Inc.
Brandt Carl L.
Chung Daniel J
Hickman Palermo & Truong & Becker LLP
Luu Matthew
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