Automatic alignment of objects in two-dimensional and three-dimensional display space using an alignment field gradient
US5463722A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 1993 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2219/2004
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatic alignment of manipulated objects in two-dimensional and three-dimensional graphic space. The present invention provides an alignment field gradient which emanates from objects surrounding the manipulated object(s). As a user manipulates an object, the present invention attracts the manipulated object into an aligned position and orientation with another object(s) in the displayed three-dimensional display space. The present invention provides alignment of all combinations of vertices, edges and planar faces for three-dimensional polyhedral objects and for all combinations of vertices and edges for two-dimensional polygonal objects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.