Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-13
2001-08-28
Nguyen, Phu K. (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281902
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image creating apparatus for creating a three-dimensional image based on a two-dimensional image by using computer graphics.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a method for creating various three-dimensional images with the use of computer graphics has been developed. Such a method is one of the most basic methods that comprises the steps of defining a three-dimensional shape by space coordinates, and displaying a state viewed from an arbitrary direction as a three-dimensional image projected on a two-dimensional plane by rendering.
Moreover, by using a two-dimensional image drawing tool called as “paint”, it is possible to draw a picture on a display screen of computer graphics with a feeling such that a user actually draws a picture with a paintbrush or the like. Also, by applying a pictorial method capable of giving three-dimensional and perspective effects to a picture to be drawn, it is possible to draw a three-dimensional image.
In order to obtain a three-dimensional image, there is a method of inputting space coordinates which express a three-dimensional shape. However, according to the method, in the case where the three-dimensional shape is complicated, the number of required space coordinates increases, and consequently it is difficult to give definitions and input these space coordinates. Further, in a shape as smoothly modifying, it is difficult even to determine space coordinates. Furthermore, a designer is hard to grasp a relation between a spatial shape sensitively imaged and a geometric shape expressed by numerical coordinates. In particular, in the case of making a modification to the spatial shape, it is necessary to make modifications to coordinates which define the shape, which modifications are very troublesome.
According to a method of directly drawing a three-dimensional image with the use of the drawing tool of computer graphics, an operator who draws a picture, requires a picture drawing ability. The three-dimensional image thus created is usable in only limited range such as modification of display colors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a three-dimensional image creating apparatus which can readily create a complicated three-dimensional shape model, and readily transform the created three-dimensional shape model for use.
The invention provides a three-dimensional image creating apparatus which makes a modification to a primitive shape so as to create a rendering image of a three-dimensional model, comprising density data memory means for storing two-dimensional density data to be mapped into a primitive shape; and modifying and operating means for reading out density data stored in the density data memory means to carry out predetermined operational processing for the primitive shape, making a modification to the primitive shape on the basis of an operational processing result, and thereby creating a three-dimensional model.
According to the invention, the density data memory means stores two-dimensional density data which is mapped into a primitive shape so as to make a modification to the primitive shape to create a rendering image of a three-dimensional model. The modifying and operating means carries out predetermined operational processing for the primitive shape on the basis of the density data, and then, makes a modification to the primitive shape according to the operational processing result so as to create a three-dimensional model. Since a three-dimensional model can be created on the basis of the primitive shape if two-dimensional density data is generated through drawing processing, by combining the primitive shape and the two-dimensional density data it is possible to handle a complicated shape while using simple images in the stage of density data. The two-dimensional density data is modified, and consequently a three-dimensional image to be created on the basis of the two-dimensional density data is modified. Therefore, from the same primitive shape, it is possible to readily obtain different three-dimensional images with the use of different two-dimensional density data.
Further, in the invention it is preferable that the density data memory means is capable of storing multilayered density data which is mapped into the same primitive shape, and that the modifying and operating means carries out the operational processing for the primitive shape on the multilayered data in order of the layers.
According to the invention, the multilayered two-dimensional density data is operationally processed in relation to the primitive shape in order of the multiple layers, whereby the three-dimensional model is created. Therefore, relatively simple density data is combined, and thereby, it is possible to readily obtain a three-dimensional image having a complicated shape.
Further, in the invention it is preferable that the modifying and operating means carries out operational processing in relation to the primitive shape starting from density data of a lowermost layer of the multilayered density data, and makes a modification in a normal direction on three-dimensional coordinates of the primitive shape or a modified shape resulted from modification of a lower layer, on the basis of an operational processing result of each layer.
According to the invention, the multilayered two-dimensional density data is reflected in a normal direction of the primitive shape so as to create a three-dimensional image. Therefore, gentle and rapid changes in density can be reflected on a three-dimensional shape as gentle and rapid changes in the three-dimensional shape.
Further, in the invention it is preferable that the modifying and operating means carries out the operational processing in such a manner that a distance between coordinates of each point constituting the primitive shape and predetermined reference coordinates is multiplied by a density for a corresponding point on the density data of a lower layer.
According to the invention, in making a modification to the primitive shape, the distance between coordinates of each point constituting the primitive shape and the predetermined reference coordinates is multiplied by a density for the corresponding point on the density data of a lower layer. And this multiplication leads the amount of modification in the normal direction. Accordingly, it is possible to vary a three-dimensional image to be created according to the setting of the reference coordinates.
In the invention it is preferable that the three-dimensional image creating apparatus further comprises layer display means for rendering, layer by layer, results of modifications which are made to the primitive shape by the modifying and operating means on the basis of the multilayered density data, and displaying the rendering results as an image.
According to the invention, it is possible to display the process in which the primitive shape is modified based on the multilayered two-dimensional density data by displaying the rendering results for the respective layers. Therefore, it is possible to keep track of a relation between density data and modification for each layer.
In the invention it is preferable that the three-dimensional image creating apparatus further comprises drawing and editing means for allowing input or edit in accordance with a drawing operation while displaying the density data stored in the density data memory means.
According to the invention, it is possible to input or transform according to a drawing operation the two-dimensional density data which is used in obtaining a three-dimensional image through making a modification to the primitive shape. Therefore, it is possible to create a three-dimensional model with a feeling as if in two-dimensional paint drawing. Thus, by drawing according to the multilayered density data, it is possible to readily create a three-dimensional image having a complicated shape.
As described above, according to the invention, it is possi
Nguyen Phu K.
Shima Seiki Manufacturing Limited
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
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