Patent ID: 7286119
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: G06F,G06T

Abstract:
1. A three-dimensional object manipulating apparatus, comprising: a display means for displaying a three-dimensional object on a screen of a display unit; a dial-operated input device including a dial which can be pushed in and rotated; a rotation-axis setting means for setting an axis of rotation for the three-dimensional object by pushing in the dial; a detection means for detecting a direction and an angle of rotation of the dial, the dial being movable between a first position and a second position, the first position locking the rotation of the dial and the second position unlocking the rotation of the dial; and an object rotating means for rotating the three-dimensional object displayed on the screen of the display unit about the axis of rotation set by the rotation-axis setting means based on the direction and the angle of rotation of the dial detected by the detection means.