Autodesk, Inc.

Gary S Yost

Daniel David Silva

Rolf Walter Berteig

Donald Lee Brittain

Thomas Dene Hudson

Phillip Miller

A three dimensional (3D) modeling system for generating a 3D representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation. Each modifier is associated with a three dimensional representation so that the user can more easily visualize the effect of the modifier.

Three dimensional modeling and animation system using master objects and modifiers

Three dimensional modeling and animation system

A mechanism for depicting a plurality of graphical components is provided. According to an aspect of the present invention, a graphical component hierarchy is displayed. A graphical component hierarchy includes graphic nodes that each correspond to a graphical component, links between graphic nodes, and images associated with graphic nodes. A link between graphical components represent manipulations performed between the graphical components. The graphical component hierarchy includes images for each graphical component, graphically representing how they affect a final image at various stages.

Depicting hierarchically related graphical components

An interactive rendering system which can minimize computational demand while allowing a designer to manipulate one or more selected objects in a scene is disclosed. A scene is rendered to a scene buffer. One or more objects are selected and rendered to an object buffer. The scene is re-rendered to the scene buffer without the selected objects. As the selected objects move or change, they are re-rendered only in the object buffer and a display is generated by merging the objects buffer and the scene buffer. Because there is no need to render the background scene, most of the computational power can be dedicated to the selected objects. The perspective and depth relationship between the selected objects and the scene are maintained.

System and method for interactive rendering of three dimensional objects

A three dimensional (3D) modeling system for generating a 3D representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation.

A system to permit a designer to select the minimum scene refresh rate or animation redraw rate acceptable by the designer. The system also incorporates a selection of presentation methods for the three-dimensional objects in a scene, arranged in decreasing fidelity, and consequently in computational complexity, as fall back positions for the general rendering technique. Using the designer's selected refresh rate as a target, the system attempts to use the highest quality rendering technique selected by the designer. If the computational complexity of the scene causes the refresh rate of the scene to fall below the minimum acceptable level selected by the designer, the system selects the next lower rendering option selected by the designer, thus degrading the presentation quality of the scene and simultaneously reducing the computational complexity of the task.

User selectable adaptive degradation for interactive computer rendering

Applying modifiers to objects based on the types of the objects

A caching system for a 3D modeling system. Intermediate channel results, created during the generation of a representation of an object, are cached. The caching increases the speed of system. In particular, the representation of the object is generated in multiple channels, each channel representing some portion of that representation. Intermediate channel results are generated in each channel by elements in that object's list of modifiers. Depending on for how long these intermediate channel results are valid, the intermediate channel results may or may not be cached. For example, if it is determined that one set of intermediate channel results will be valid for a predetermined period of time, while the next intermediate channel results in that channel will not be valid for a predetermined period of time, then the intermediate channel results are cached.

Caching in a three dimensional modeling and animation system

A graphical user interface ('GUI') incorporating one or more subpanels. Each subpanel has a presentation control and can have one or more GUI objects displayed on the computer screen. Each subpanel may be toggled between an expanded state or a collapsed state by operating the presentation control. Expanding and collapsing the subpanels changes the appearance and the functionality of the GUI, but the size of area of the screen used by the subpanels remains unchanged.

Method and apparatus for incorporating expandable and collapsible

A method and system for controlling parameter values. One such system includes a number of functions for controlling parameter values, i.e. 'parameter control functions,' to enable a user to quickly and easily control variable parameter values using a graphical user interface and to enable the user to obtain the desired precision of control of such variables. One such system provides four control functions: a data entry function, single step function, a scroll function, and a translation function. The user can select the particular control function used to control a parameter value in light of the particular amount or type of control that needs to be accomplished.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Gary S Yost