Trimble Navigation Limited

Trimble Inc.

Tyler Miller

John M Bacus

Scott E Lininger

Preston Jackson

Scott Lininger

A system and method for implementing the functions of a web-based 3D modeling system partially as a script interpretable by a client browser application and partially as a component executing on a server modeling engine. A client-side script component may execute lightweight modeling system commands while the server-side modeling engine may execute computationally expensive 3D modeling system commands. For example, the script component may be accessed by the client device upon visiting a web page of the modeling service hosted by the web server. The script may include Javascript&#xae; instructions for viewing a 3D model in a browser window without installing a browser plug-in or a standalone application on the client device. However, to edit the model, the script component may forward commands and requests to the server via the network and also receive modified model data from the server.

3D modeling system distributed between a client device web browser and a server

When multiple users simultaneously view and/or collaboratively develop a three-dimensional (3D) model using respective independent computing devices, one of the participating users may locally modify a viewpoint of the 3D model, and the viewpoint changes are automatically propagated in real-time to the other users. A viewpoint may correspond to a positioning, an orientation, a zoom degree, an angle, etc. of the 3D model as would be provided by a virtual camera trained on the 3D model. The multiple users may share a common viewpoint of the 3D model in real-time in addition to viewing and/or participating in the generation and modification of the 3D model in real-time. In an embodiment, only one user at a time may be allowed to control the viewpoint modification of the 3D model.

Providing a real-time shared viewing experience in a three-dimensional modeling environment

A system for collaborative three-dimensional (3D) modeling in a browser application is stored as instructions on a computer-readable medium. The instructions include a browser interface module that executes on the one or more processors to receive user commands from the browser application for modifying a 3D model and cause a rendering of the 3D model to be displayed in a window controlled by the browser application. The instructions further include a modeling engine module that executes on the one or more processors to interpret model data corresponding to the 3D model to generate the rendering of the 3D model, and modify the model data in accordance with the received user commands. Still further, the instructions include a collaboration module that executes on the one or more processors to cause the modified 3D model to be synchronized in real time.

Browser-based collaborative development of a 3D model

A system for extending the functionality of a web-based, three-dimensional modeling in a browser application is stored as instructions on a computer-readable medium. The instructions include an interface module that may receive user commands from the browser application that define a script including functions to modify or create a 3D model. The script instructions may cause a rendering of the 3D model to be displayed in a window controlled by the browser application. A modeling engine as a compiled browser plug-in may extends the functionality of the browser application. Further, the modeling engine may include functions to interpret model data corresponding to a 3D model and render the 3D model in accordance with the script. Further instructions include a script interface layer that may expose the modeling engine functions to the interface module for use by the script functions. The script functions extend the modeling engine functions.

Extensible web-based 3D modeling

Functional extensions are provided for use with a modeling software. The functional extensions provide functionality not otherwise provided by the modeling software. The functional extensions are received from a client device by a server and stored in a database. Thereafter, the server transmits the functional extensions to a second client device, sometimes in response to receiving a request for the functional extension from the second client device. The server may update a user profile to indicate that a functional extension was received from a user operating the client device and, additionally, may transmit the functional extension to the second client device when the server receives an indication that the user is operating the second client device.

Efficient distribution of functional extensions to a 3D modeling software

A first user having a certain set of privileges with respect to an initial three-dimensional (3D) model associates a watermark with the initial 3D model, so that the watermark is displayed whenever the initial 3D model is viewed or edited. A second user having a smaller set of privileges with respect to the initial 3D model is permitted to view, copy and/or modify the initial 3D model, but is not permitted to remove or alter the content of the watermark. The watermark is continuously displayed as the second user works with the initial 3D model. When the second user applies a change to the initial 3D model, an indication of the modifications applied by the second user is generated and stored with the model data corresponding to the updated 3D model.

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Denver, CO, United States of America

Tyler Miller