Patent ID: 6573896
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method for displaying movement of a viewpoint through a three-dimensional digital mockup object scene, the method comprising:determining a trajectory of a viewpoint through a three-dimensional object scene, said viewpoint determining a visual position and direction from which an image of the object scene is generated for display on an output device; moving the viewpoint along the trajectory; displaying the generated image of the object scene on the output device as the viewpoint moves along the trajectory, wherein said displaying comprises updating the displayed image at a plurality of successive positions of the viewpoint along the trajectory; simultaneously displaying a graphical figure on the display, said graphical figure being overlaid on said generated image and representing a direction of movement of a viewpoint along the trajectory and said simultaneously displayed graphical figure being logically separate from objects in the three-dimensional object scene; and altering the shape of the simultaneously displayed graphical figure in accordance with alterations in the trajectory of the viewpoint so as to visually indicate the alteration of trajectory of the viewpoint.