Patent Description:
Patent Document <NUM> discloses a three-dimensional shape display device for graphically displaying a three-dimensional shape. This three-dimensional shape display device is characterized by including a shape display unit configured to display a shape obtained by performing parallel projection of a three-dimensional shape onto a two-dimensional plane, and a scale line segment display unit configured to display the shape displayed on the shape display unit and a scale line segment usable as a measurement reference, wherein it is possible to easily measure a size by comparing the displayed scale line segment and the shape formed on the two-dimensional plane by parallel projection.

Patent Document <NUM> discloses a system for deforming a graphic object displayed with other graphic objects. This system is for quickly deforming graphic objects and is characterized by including a means including a computer for characterizing a graphic object as a volumetric object based on volumetric elements, a user interface connected to the computer in order to select a selected one of the volumetric elements and move the selected volumetric element, a graphic-object deforming means for moving the selected volumetric element by an amount designated by the user interface, in response to the user interface, thereby deforming the graphic object as the result of the movement of the selected volumetric element, a means for detecting and preventing collisions between graphic objects during deformation of the graphic object, a loosing means for loosing the relative positions of the elements on the basis of the elasticity thereof, and a means connected to the output of the loosing means and including a display for reproducing the result obtained by moving, deforming, and loosing the volumetric graphic object.

Patent Document <NUM> discloses a method of registering a first stereoscopic image and a second stereoscopic image, wherein each image is a three-dimensional array of gray scale voxel values. This method includes: (a) a step of defining mutation probabilities for a plurality of aligned pairs of the voxel values, each of the aligned pairs of the voxel values being composed of a voxel value from the first image and a spatially corresponding voxel value from the second image, each mutation probability being related to the likelihood that a voxel value of the first image corresponds to a spatially corresponding voxel value of the second image and vise versa, and the defining being performed on the basis of the geometric relationship of the second image relative to the first image; (b) a step of selecting a first transform defining a geometric relationship of the second image relative to the first image; (c) a step of calculating a measure of the likelihood for a predetermined set of aligned voxel pairs using the mutation probabilities, the measure of the likelihood representing the probability of obtaining the first image on the assumption that the second image is given and vise versa; (d) a step of selecting a different transform defining a geometric relationship of the second image relative to the first image; and (e) a step of repeating the steps (c) and (d) until an optimal transform defining a geometric relationship of the second image relative to the first image is obtained, the optimal transform providing an optimal measure of the likelihood.

Recently, with the spread of 3D printers, final products have been produced directly from digital data, and for 3D printers, it is required to generate three-dimensional shape data of three-dimensional objects to be produced, in advance.

It is difficult for general users to perform modeling of a three-dimensional object, thereby generating three-dimensional shape data, and it is relatively easy to deform a three-dimensional object based on three-dimensional shape data prepared in advance, thereby generating three-dimensional shape data. However, in the case where free editing on three-dimensional shapes forming three-dimensional objects is allowed, sometimes, editing may result in damage in the functions or shapes of three-dimensional objects intended originally.

Further, <CIT>, contain further background information pertaining to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

It is therefore an object of the disclosure to provide a three-dimensional shape data editing device and a three-dimensional shape data editing program suppressing unintended editing from being performed when a three-dimensional shape represented by three-dimensional shape data is edited.

Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims. Advantageous optional features are defined in the dependent claims. The embodiments and/or examples described herein not falling under the scope of the claims should be interpreted as examples for understanding the invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, referring to <FIG>, the configuration of an editing device <NUM> for three-dimensional shape data according to the example will be described.

The editing device <NUM> is configurated by, for instance, a personal computer, and includes a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) 12A, a read only memory (ROM) 12B, a random access memory (RAM) 12C, a non-volatile memory 12D, and an input/output (I/O) interface 12E. The CPU 12A, the ROM 12B, the RAM 12C, the non-volatile memory 12D, and the I/O 12E are connected to each other via a bus 12F.

Also, the I/O 12E is connected to an operating portion <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a communicator <NUM>, and a memory <NUM>. It is to be noted that the CPU 12A is an example of the extraction unit, the control unit, and the selection unit, and the operating portion <NUM> is an example of the receiving unit.

The operating portion <NUM> is configurated to include an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel that receives an instruction from a user of the editing device <NUM>, for instance.

The display <NUM> is configurated to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an organic electro luminescence (EL) display, for instance.

The communicator <NUM> is connected to a communication line, for instance, the Internet or a local area network (LAN), and has an interface for performing data communication with an external device such as a personal computer connected to the communication line.

The memory <NUM> includes a non-volatile memory device such as a hard disk, and stores three-dimensional shape data and the like generated by the editing device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional shape <NUM> represented by three-dimensional shape data. As illustrated in <FIG>, the editing device <NUM> expresses the three-dimensional shape <NUM> using three-dimensional coordinates (hereinafter referred to as a "three-dimensional coordinate space") formed by X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

In this example, a case will be described where as a data format for three-dimensional shape data, the data format that represents the three-dimensional shape <NUM> by a set of voxels <NUM> is used. However, another data format may be used.

Here, the voxels <NUM> are each a basic element of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, and for instance, a rectangular parallelepiped is used. However, without being limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, a sphere or a cylinder may be used. A desired three-dimensional shape <NUM> is represented by stacking the voxels <NUM>. Also, for each voxel <NUM>, an attribute indicating a property of the voxel <NUM>, for instance, a color, strength, a material, or a texture is specified, and the color or the material of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is represented by presence of the voxel <NUM> and the attribute of the voxel <NUM>.

Here, the "material" includes at least one of information indicating a genre of material such as resin, metal, or rubber, information indicating a material name such as ABS, PLA, information indicating a product name, a product number of a commercially available material, information indicating a material such as a material name an abbreviation, and a number which are defined in a standard such as ISO, JIS, and information indicating material characteristics such as a thermal conductivity, an electrical conductivity, and magnetism.

Furthermore, the "texture" refers to an attribute indicating not only a color, but also appearance or touch of three-dimensional shape data, such as a reflectivity, a transmittance, gloss, and a surface property thereof.

It is to be noted that the attribute includes an attribute pattern which is set using at least one of a period, an expression, and another three-dimensional shape data. The attribute pattern includes at least one of repeat of a constant period, gradation, representation by a slope or a local point expressed by an expression, continuous modification of the color, material, or texture of three-dimensional shape data in accordance with another three-dimensional shape data, and filling or continuously modifying a specified range of three-dimensional shape data with a specified pattern.

As described above, the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is represented by a set of voxels <NUM>, and specifically is represented by, for instance, an element value of X, Y, Z coordinates in a three-dimensional coordinate space. Let (X, Y, Z) represent coordinates in a three-dimensional coordinate space, then when a voxel <NUM> is present at the coordinates (X, Y, Z), "(X, Y, Z) = <NUM>" is set. On the other hand, when a voxel <NUM> is not present at the coordinates (X, Y, Z), the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is represented by setting "(X, Y, Z) = <NUM>". In other words, three-dimensional shape data includes the element value of the coordinates (X, Y, Z), which indicates the presence or absence of the voxel <NUM>, and an attribute associated with the voxel <NUM> having an element value of "<NUM>".

It is to noted that the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is not necessarily represented by coordinates (X, Y, Z) in a three-dimensional coordinate space. For instance, the three-dimensional shape <NUM> may be represented by index numbers each uniquely associated with coordinates (X, Y, Z). In this case, for instance when the value associated with an index number is "<NUM>", this means that a voxel <NUM> is present at the position indicated by the index number.

In addition, no restriction is imposed on the shape of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, and the three-dimensional shape <NUM> may be any shape as long as the shape is represented by using three-dimensional shape data.

Next, the operation of edit processing of three-dimensional shape data representing the three-dimensional shape <NUM> will be described. In the following description, in order describe editing of three-dimensional shape data in a three-dimensional coordinate space in an understandable way, a description is given using a projection view of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> projected on the XZ plane. In the projection view of the XZ plane, the shape of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> in the Y-axis direction is not illustrated. However, when three-dimensional shape data is edited in the Y-axis direction, the same processing as the below-described editing of three-dimensional shape data on the XZ plane is performed.

Also, in the following description, a case will be described where three-dimensional shape data is edited so that different three-dimensional shapes <NUM> interfere with each other. Here, "interference" refers to a state in which a portion of one three-dimensional shape <NUM> comes into contact with the other three-dimensional shape <NUM>. Specifically, "interference" refers to a state in which the surface of one three-dimensional shape <NUM> comes into contact with the surface of the other three-dimensional shape <NUM>, or a state in which portions of three-dimensional shapes <NUM> overlap.

When a model object which is integrally configurated including multiple three-dimensional shapes <NUM> is edited, if a three-dimensional shape <NUM>, which does not interfere with any of other three-dimensional shapes <NUM>, is generated by the editing, the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is separated from the model object, and does not serve as the part of the model.

Thus, the restrictions that three-dimensional shape data be edited so that different three-dimensional shapes <NUM> interfere with each other, in other words, the restrictions that three-dimensional shape data be edited so that a region (interference region) where different three-dimensional shapes <NUM> interfere with each other are not lost are necessary restrictions on editing a model object which is integrally configurated including multiple three-dimensional shapes <NUM>.

It is desirable that the restrictions be applied when different three-dimensional shapes <NUM> are combined to generate integrated three-dimensional shape data, and a single model object is created. In other words, the restrictions are not applicable to a case where three-dimensional shape data of a model object with multiple independent parts assembled is generated. However, the restrictions are necessary when three-dimensional shape data of single part included in a group of multiple independent parts is generated.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example, which is not part of the claimed invention, of a flow of edit processing of three-dimensional shape data performed by the editing device <NUM>. An editing program, which defines the edit processing of three-dimensional shape data, is pre-stored in the ROM 12B, and for instance, when receiving an edit start instruction for the three-dimensional shape <NUM> from a user, the CPU 12A reads the editing program from the ROM 12B and executes the editing program.

First, in step S10, the CPU 12A obtains an amount of operation for the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, associated with editing.

Here, the "edit" includes modification of at least part of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> by performing processing such as deformation, enlargement, reduction, movement, rotation, addition, deletion, replacement, and composition, on the at least part of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>.

Also, the "edit" includes modification of an attribute of at least part of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> by performing processing such as addition, deletion, modification, substitution, and composition on at least part of at least one attribute of color, strength, material, and texture assigned to three-dimensional position information.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example, which is not part of the claimed invention, of editing to move the three-dimensional shape <NUM>. The three-dimensional shape <NUM> is configurated to include a three-dimensional shape 32A and a three-dimensional shape 32B. For instance, when the three-dimensional shape 32A is moved in the X-axis direction while interfering with the three-dimensional shape 32B, the range of the movement is limited to the range of distance X1, in which the surface of the three-dimensional shape 32A and the surface of the three-dimensional shape 32B are in contact with each other. When the three-dimensional shape 32A is moved by the distance X1, the movement is made to the position of a three-dimensional shape 32A', and as long as the movement distance of the three-dimensional shape 32A is less than or equal to the distance X1, the three-dimensional shape 32A interferes with the three-dimensional shape 32B for any such distance.

The CPU 12A recognizes at least one three-dimensional shape <NUM> (the three-dimensional shape 32A in this case) selected with a mouse or the like by a user from multiple three-dimensional shapes <NUM> as a target for editing. In addition, the CPU 12A obtains a movement amount and a movement direction of the mouse as an amount of operation of the selected three-dimensional shape 32A from the operating portion <NUM>. It is to be noted that three-dimensional shape 32B not selected as the target for editing out of three-dimensional shape <NUM> may be referred to as "three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base".

In step S20, the CPU 12A determines whether or not editing of the three-dimensional shape 32A corresponding to the amount of operation obtained in step S10 interferes with the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base. The CPU 12A then stores a result of the determination in the RAM 12C, for instance. Whether or not the three-dimensional shape 32A interferes with the three-dimensional shape 32B is determined by a bitwise operation, for instance.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example in which the three-dimensional shape <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is represented by a bit sequence which indicates the presence or absence of a voxel <NUM>. As described above, when even part of voxels <NUM> which model the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is present at corresponding coordinates, the element value of the coordinates is "<NUM>", and when no voxel <NUM> is present at corresponding coordinates, the element value of the coordinates is "<NUM>".

The CPU 12A calculates the position of the edited three-dimensional shape 32A based on the amount of operation obtained in step S10, and represents the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B each by a bit sequence in the three-dimensional coordinate space under the assumption that the three-dimensional shape 32A is at the calculated position. The CPU 12A then performs an AND operation on a bit sequence representing the three-dimensional shape 32A and a bit sequence representing the three-dimensional shape 32B to extract an interference region, and determines whether or not editing to cause interference with the three-dimensional shape 32B has been performed on the three-dimensional shape 32A.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of bit sequences of the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B in the same space extracted from a three-dimensional coordinate space.

The CPU 12A performs an AND operation on the bit sequences of the three-dimensional shape 32A and the bit sequence of the three-dimensional shape 32B, when "<NUM>" is included in an obtained operation result, determines that the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B interfere with each other. Here, although an example of one row in the bit sequences of the three-dimensional shapes 32A, 32B projected on the XZ plane is illustrated, bit sequences are also present in the Y-axis direction, and it goes without saying that when "<NUM>" is included in the AND operation result of one of the bit sequences, it is determined that the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B interfere with each other.

It is to be noted that even when a data format other than the voxel <NUM> is used as the data format for representing a three-dimensional shape, an interference region can be advantageously extracted at high speed by representing a three-dimensional shape with bit sequences and performing the AND operation on the bit sequences as illustrated in <FIG>. Thus, the three-dimensional shape may be voxelized to make determination as to presence of interference. In this case, the entire three-dimensional shape may be voxelized, or only a necessary range may be voxelized.

For instance, let bounding box A be a range including the three-dimensional shape 32A, and bounding box B be a range including the three-dimensional shape 32A, then the "necessary range" indicates the portions of the three-dimensional shapes 32A, 32B included in the intersection region between the bounding box A and the bounding box B. Each three-dimensional shape may be temporarily voxelized, and the voxelized three-dimensional shape may be discarded, for instance when the interference determination is completed, or data of the voxelized shape may be stored in preparation for interference determination next time.

It is to be noted that in order to extract an interference region, the three-dimensional shape does not have to be voxelized. It is sufficient that a necessary range in the three-dimensional shape be represented by bit sequences. For instance, in a necessary range, a bit sequence may be used, in which the value of the coordinates at which a three-dimensional shape is present is "<NUM>", and the value of the coordinates at which a three-dimensional shape is not present is "<NUM>".

In addition, in order to extract an interference region, the AND operation on bit sequences does not have to be performed. For instance, an interference region may be extracted by making determination of contact between constituent elements included in a sufficiently close range, out of constituent elements such as a point, a line, and a face, which constitute the three-dimensional shapes 32A, 32B, and by determining the presence of contact or intersection. Here, the "sufficiently close range" may be a predetermined range, or may be derived from the sizes of the three-dimensional shapes 32A, 32B to be edited. For instance, the "sufficiently close range" may be an outer range slightly larger the size of each shape. Alternatively, the range may be derived based on the amount of operation obtained in step S10.

Like this, no particular restriction is imposed on a method of extracting an interference region between three-dimensional shapes, and a publicly known method used for determination of contact between three-dimensional shapes is applied.

It is to be noted that when performing the AND operation, as illustrated in <FIG>, the CPU 12A changes the element value of the coordinates (the coordinates illustrated by hatching) adjacent to the outline of the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited from "<NUM>" to "<NUM>", and performs the AND operation. This is because the case where the surfaces of the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B are in contact is also determined to be a state of interference. Such change of the element value of coordinates is temporarily made at the time of AND operation on bit sequences, and after the AND operation, the CPU 12A restores the element value of the coordinates representing the three-dimensional shape 32A to the element value before the change.

In step S30, when the CPU 12A determines that no interference region is present between the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B by the interference determination in step S20, the flow proceeds to step S60. In this case, as illustrated in <FIG>, it is indicated that the three-dimensional shape 32A is moved so as to be separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B by a user, for instance.

Thus, in step S60, the CPU 12A displays a warning on the display <NUM> so that editing is performed without separating the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited from the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base. Alternatively, a warning may be displayed, then the operation may be automatically resumed to a position at which the three-dimensional shapes 32A, 32B interfere with each other, or the operation may be restricted at a position immediately before the interference region between the three-dimensional shapes 32A, 32B is lost. It is to be noted that the CPU 12A may notify of a warning by sound.

The flow then proceeds to step S <NUM>, and the CPU 12A stays on standby until the amount of the next operation associated with editing is obtained. In other words, the CPU 12A does not perform editing corresponding to the amount of operation obtained in immediately last step S10.

It is to be noted that the interference determination in step S20 may be made in real time as needed while the operation by a user is performed in step S <NUM>. When at least one three-dimensional shape <NUM> selected with a mouse or the like by a user is recognized as a target to be edited, interference determination may be made for each of the coordinates for movement of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> associated with the editing in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and a limit of the amount of operation, within which an interference range is not lost, is thereby calculated, and the limit may be used for determination of presence of an interference region in step S30. It goes without saying that when the operation by a user is completed, the interference determination may be made only once.

On the other hand, when it is determined that an interference region is present between the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B in the determination processing in step S30, the flow proceeds to step S40.

In step S40, the CPU 12A performs editing of the three-dimensional shape 32A, the editing corresponding to the amount of operation (for instance, the amount of movement) obtained in step S10. In association with execution of editing, the CPU 12A generates three-dimensional shape data in accordance with the content of the editing, and updates the bit sequences which represent the position of the edited three-dimensional shape 32A.

In step S50, the CPU 12A determines whether or not an instruction for completing editing has been received from a user via the operating portion <NUM>, and when an instruction for completing editing has not been received, the flow proceeds to step S <NUM>, and the CPU 12A stays on standby until the amount of the next operation associated with editing is obtained. On the other hand, when an instruction for completing editing has been received, the generated three-dimensional shape data is stored in the storage unit <NUM>, and the edit processing of the three-dimensional shape data illustrated in <FIG> is completed.

The edit processing of the three-dimensional shape data illustrated in <FIG> has been described for the three-dimensional shape <NUM> having only one interference region as in <FIG>. However, the same processing is performed for the case where multiple interference regions are present.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example, which is not part of the claimed invention, of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>.

For instance, when presence of two interference regions <NUM> is defined as the restriction conditions for editing of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, the CPU 12A may determine that the three-dimensional shape 32A interferes with the three-dimensional shape 32B when two interference regions <NUM> are extracted in step S20 of <FIG>. Thus, the editing device <NUM> permits editing to cause the three-dimensional shape 32A illustrated in <FIG> to move to the three-dimensional shape <NUM> having two interference regions 36A, 36B as illustrated in <FIG>.

On the other hand, the editing device <NUM> displays a warning, and does not permit correction editing to cause the three-dimensional shape 32A illustrated in <FIG> to move to the three-dimensional shape <NUM> having only one interference region <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

However, when presence of at least one interference region <NUM> is defined as the restriction conditions for editing of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, the editing device <NUM> permits editing to achieve the three-dimensional shape <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In this manner, the editing device <NUM> controls the editing of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> so that the interference region <NUM> is not lost. Consequently, the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited is not separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base, and thus the editing device <NUM> reduces the possibility of editing not intended by a user.

In the first example, the editing of the three-dimensional shape data by the editing device <NUM> has been described using an example of movement of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the editing device <NUM> that edits three-dimensional shape data will be described using a reference point and a reference axis.

As described above, the editing of the editing device <NUM> includes deformation, enlargement, reduction, rotation, addition, deletion, replacement, and composition in addition to movement of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>. The above-mentioned editing includes processing for modifying the three-dimensional shape <NUM> using specific point and axis, such as rotation, enlargement, and reduction of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, for instance. In this case, when the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is edited, it is necessary to set specific point and axis that serve as a reference for editing the three-dimensional shape <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a specific point that serves as a reference for editing the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is referred to as a "reference point", and an axis that serves as a reference for the editing is referred to as a "reference axis".

Next, the operation of the edit processing performed by the editing device <NUM> using a reference point and a reference axis will be described.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example, which is not part of the claimed invention, of a flow of edit processing of three-dimensional shape data performed by the editing device <NUM> using a reference point and a reference axis. An editing program, which defines the edit processing of three-dimensional shape data, is pre-stored in the ROM 12B, and for instance, when receiving an edit start instruction for the three-dimensional shape <NUM> from a user, the CPU 12A reads the editing program from the ROM 12B and executes the editing program. It is to be noted that the content of editing specified by an edit start instruction is such editing using a reference point and a reference axis, represented by rotation and the like, for instance, and the three-dimensional shape <NUM> to be edited is assumed to be pre-selected by a user.

The edit processing illustrated in <FIG> differs from the edit processing of <FIG> described in the first example in that steps S2 and S4 have been added, and for other processing, the same processing as the edit processing described in <FIG> is performed. Thus, hereinafter, the edit processing illustrated in <FIG> will be described, focusing on the point of difference from the edit processing illustrated in <FIG>.

First, in step S2, the CPU 12A obtains the interference region <NUM> of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> before editing is performed. As already described, the interference region <NUM> of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is obtained by performing the AND operation on the bit sequences of multiple three-dimensional shapes <NUM> in the three-dimensional coordinate space.

For instance, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is configurated to include two parts of the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B, the interference region <NUM> is obtained.

In step S4, the CPU 12A sets a reference point for editing in the range of the interference region <NUM> selected in step S2. Also, the CPU 12A sets a reference axis with respect to the reference point which is set. In the example of <FIG>, a point set in the outline surface of the interference region <NUM> serves as a reference point <NUM>, and the line segments, which pass through the reference point <NUM> and are along respective directions of X, Y, Z axes, serve as reference axes X', Y', Z'. It is to be noted that although the reference axis Y' is not illustrated in <FIG>, the reference axis Y' is a reference axis that is along the direction perpendicular to each of the reference axis X' and the reference axis Z'.

Although the example of <FIG> has been described using an example of rotation about the reference axis Y' out of editing of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> using a reference point and a reference axis, it goes without saying that rotation about the reference axis X' and the reference axis Y' is also performed by the same control.

The reference point <NUM> may be set to any position as long as the position is within the range of the interference region <NUM>, and it goes without saying that the reference point <NUM> may be set not only on the outline surface of the interference region <NUM>, but also inside the interference region <NUM>. For instance, the reference point <NUM> may be set to the centroid point of the interference region <NUM> or a point closest to the origin of the three-dimensional coordinate space.

As illustrated in <FIG>, for instance, the reference point <NUM> is set to a position of the three-dimensional shape 32A, different from the interference region <NUM>, and the three-dimensional shape 32A is rotated about the reference axis, serving as the rotational axis, in the Y-axis direction, passing through the reference point <NUM>. In this case, when the three-dimensional shape 32A is rotated to the position indicated by the three-dimensional shape 32A', the three-dimensional shape 32A is separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B, and the restriction conditions, which are applied to editing of a model object integrally configurated including the three-dimensional shapes 32A, 32B, are no longer satisfied.

Therefore, the CPU 12A sets the reference point <NUM> in the interference region <NUM> of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the CPU 12A obtains an amount of rotation in step S10, the amount of rotation being an example of the amount of operation, then the CPU 12A performs editing to rotate the three-dimensional shape 32A by the obtained amount of rotation about the reference axis set in step S4 as the rotational axis. It is to be noted that the CPU 12A, determines whether or not an interference region <NUM> is present in the three-dimensional shape <NUM> in step S20, and controls the editing so that the interference region <NUM> is not lost by the editing.

Although the examples of <FIG> and <FIG> have been described using an example of rotation about the reference axis Y' out of editing of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> using a reference point and a reference axis, it goes without saying that rotation about the reference axis X' and the reference axis Y' is also performed by the same control. Also, although the setting of the reference point <NUM> and the reference axis has been described above using an example of editing to rotate the three-dimensional shape 32A, the reference point <NUM> and the reference axis are set also in editing to enlarge and reduce the three-dimensional shape 32A.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of editing to enlarge the three-dimensional shape 32A. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, a point set in the outline surface of the interference region <NUM> serves as the reference point <NUM>, and a line segment (reference axis X') along the X-axis serves as a reference axis <NUM>. It is to be noted that the reference axis <NUM> may be set in an enlargement direction specified by a user. As illustrated in <FIG>, the reference point <NUM> is set within the range of the interference region <NUM>. Thus, even when the three-dimensional shape 32A is enlarged at the center of the reference point <NUM> by an enlargement factor which causes vertex Q of the three-dimensional shape 32A to move to the position of Q' in the direction of the reference axis <NUM>, the three-dimensional shape 32A' obtained by enlarging the three-dimensional shape 32A is not separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B.

However, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the reference point <NUM> is set to a position of the three-dimensional shape 32A different from the interference region <NUM>, and the three-dimensional shape 32A is enlarged at the center of the reference point <NUM> by an enlargement factor which causes the vertex Q of the three-dimensional shape 32A to move to the position of Q', editing to cause the enlarged three-dimensional shape 32A' to penetrate through the three-dimensional shape 32B may be performed. In this case, although the interference region <NUM> is present between the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B, the three-dimensional shape 32A' penetrates through the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base, which results in editing deviated from the original purpose of enlarging the three-dimensional shape 32A that projects from the three-dimensional shape 32B. Therefore, the editing device <NUM> sets the reference point <NUM> in the interference region <NUM> of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of editing to reduce the three-dimensional shape 32A. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, a point set in the outline surface of the interference region <NUM> serves as the reference point <NUM>, and a line segment (reference axis X') along the X-axis serves as a reference axis <NUM>. It is to be noted that the reference axis <NUM> may be set in a reduction direction specified by a user. As illustrated in <FIG>, the reference point <NUM> is set within the range of the interference region <NUM>. Thus, even when the three-dimensional shape 32A is reduced at the center of the reference point <NUM> by a reduction factor which causes vertex Q of the three-dimensional shape 32A to move to the position of Q' in the direction of the reference axis <NUM>, the three-dimensional shape 32A' obtained by reducing the three-dimensional shape 32A is not separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B.

However, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the reference point <NUM> is set to a position of the three-dimensional shape 32A different from the interference region <NUM>, and the three-dimensional shape 32A is reduced at the center of the reference point <NUM> by a reduction factor which causes the vertex Q of the three-dimensional shape 32A to move to the position of Q', editing to cause the reduced three-dimensional shape 32A' to be separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B may be performed. Therefore, the editing device <NUM> sets the reference point <NUM> in the interference region <NUM> of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>.

It is to be noted that although the editing device <NUM> sets one reference point <NUM> in the above-described example, multiple candidates for the reference point <NUM> may be presented for each interference region <NUM> on the display <NUM>, and at least one reference point <NUM> may be selected by a user.

Also, although the editing device <NUM> sets the reference axis <NUM> in accordance with the direction specified by a user, the editing device <NUM> may set the reference axis <NUM> without an instruction from a user. The editing device <NUM> may set an axis, which allows editing with presence of an interference region <NUM> for any amount of operation to be performed, to the reference axis <NUM>, for instance. Setting the reference axis <NUM> by the editing device <NUM> reduces the possibility of editing that is not intended by a user, thus the operability for editing of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is improved.

In this manner, when editing the three-dimensional shape data using the reference point <NUM> and the reference axis <NUM>, the editing device <NUM> sets the reference point <NUM> within the range of the interference region <NUM> as well as the reference axis <NUM> serving as a reference for editing, such as a rotational axis or a symmetrical axis of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, for instance. Consequently, the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited is not separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base, and thus the editing device <NUM> reduces the possibility of editing not intended by a user.

Although in the examples of <FIG>, the enlargement and reduction of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> in the direction of the reference axis X' have been described, it goes without saying that the enlargement and reduction of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> in the directions of the reference axis Y' and the reference axis Z' are also performed by the same control.

Although the three-dimensional shape <NUM> according to the first example and the exemplary embodiment has illustrated a configuration example in which one three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited and one three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base are provided, the three-dimensional shape 32A or 32B may be configurated by multiple three-dimensional shapes <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, in which the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base is configurated to include a three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> and a three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM>.

When an interference region <NUM> is present in the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> and the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM>, the editing device <NUM> handles the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> and the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> as one integrated three-dimensional shape 32B.

In other words, in the determination processing in step S20 illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the editing device <NUM> identifies the three-dimensional shape 32B as the shape combining the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> and the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM>, and generates a bit sequence. Thus, as illustrated in <FIG>, the editing device <NUM> permits editing to move the three-dimensional shape 32A which interferes with the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> to the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM>.

In contrast, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, in which the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited is configurated to include a three-dimensional shape 32A-<NUM> and a three-dimensional shape 32A-<NUM>.

When an interference region <NUM> is present in the three-dimensional shape 32A-<NUM> and the three-dimensional shape 32A-<NUM>, the editing device <NUM> handles the three-dimensional shape 32A-<NUM> and the three-dimensional shape 32A-<NUM> as one integrated three-dimensional shape 32A.

In other words, in the determination processing in step S20 illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the editing device <NUM> identifies the three-dimensional shape 32A as the shape combining the three-dimensional shape 32A-<NUM> and the three-dimensional shape 32A-<NUM>, and generates a bit sequence. Thus, as illustrated in <FIG>, the editing device <NUM> permits editing to rotate the three-dimensional shape 32A in which the three-dimensional shape 32A-<NUM> initially interferes with the three-dimensional shape 32B, and to cause the three-dimensional shape 32A-<NUM> to interfere with the three-dimensional shape 32B.

In this manner, handling multiple three-dimensional shapes as one three-dimensional shape, the flexibility of editing of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is improved.

In the editing device <NUM> according to the first example and the exemplary embodiment, and in a modification, editing is controlled so that the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited is not separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base.

However, depending on the content of editing for the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, editing may be desired such that the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited is temporarily separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example, which is not part of the claimed invention, of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> which is configurated to include the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B.

The three-dimensional shape 32B is a U-shaped three-dimensional shape having two projections 32B1, 32B2, and the three-dimensional shape 32A is attached to the leading end of one projection unit 32B1.

When the three-dimensional shape 32A is moved to the other projection 32B2 of the three-dimensional shape 32B, the editing device <NUM> according to the first example and the exemplary embodiment has to move the three-dimensional shape 32A along the path indicated by arrow F1 so that the three-dimensional shape 32A is not separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B. However, since the path indicated by arrow F2 is shorter than the path indicated by arrow F1, some users may feel stressed for moving the three-dimensional shape 32A along a detour.

<FIG> is also a diagram illustrating an example, which is not part of the claimed invention, of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> which is configurated to include the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B.

An opening is provided in the center of the three-dimensional shape 32B, and the three-dimensional shape 32A is attached to one end of the three-dimensional shape 32B with respect to the opening.

When the three-dimensional shape 32A is moved to the other end at the position with respect to the opening, the editing device <NUM> according to the first example and the exemplary embodiment has to move the three-dimensional shape 32A along the path indicated by arrow F1 so that the three-dimensional shape 32A is not separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B. However, since the path indicated by arrow F2 which crosses the opening is shorter than the path indicated by arrow F1, some users may feel stressed for moving the three-dimensional shape 32A along a detour.

Hereinafter, the operation of an editing device 10A that permits the interference region <NUM> to be lost temporarily during editing will be described. The configuration of the editing device 10A is the same as the configuration of the editing device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example, which is not part of the claimed invention, of a flow of edit processing of three-dimensional shape data performed by the editing device 10A. An editing program, which defines the edit processing of three-dimensional shape data, is pre-stored in the ROM 12B, and for instance, when receiving an edit start instruction for the three-dimensional shape <NUM> from a user, the CPU 12A reads the editing program from the ROM 12B and executes the editing program.

The edit processing illustrated in <FIG> differs from the edit processing of <FIG> described in the first example in that step S35, S70, S80, and S90 have been added. For other processing, the same processing as the edit processing described in <FIG> is performed. Thus, hereinafter, the edit processing illustrated in <FIG> will be described, focusing on the point of difference from the edit processing illustrated in <FIG>.

When it is determined that an interference region <NUM> is not present in the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited in step S30, the flow proceeds to step S35.

In step S35, the CPU 12A determines whether or not separation editing permission has been received, which permits editing to cause the three-dimensional shape 32A to be separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B so that the interference region <NUM> is lost. The CPU 12A is notified of the separation editing permission by a user who operates the operating portion <NUM>.

When the separation editing permission has not been received, the flow proceeds to step S60, and similarly to the editing device <NUM>, the CPU 12A controls the editing so that the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited is not separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base.

On the other hand, when the separation editing permission has been received, the flow proceeds to step S40, and the CPU 12A performs editing. In other words, even when editing is performed, which causes the three-dimensional shape 32A to be separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B, if separation editing permission is granted, the editing is continuously performed. Consequently, editing such as moving the three-dimensional shape 32A along the path indicated by the arrow F2 of <FIG> is permitted.

When completion of editing is determined in step S50 and an instruction for completing editing is received, the flow proceeds to step S70.

In step S70, the CPU 12A performs the same processing as in step S20, and determines whether or not the three-dimensional shape 32A at the completion of editing is at a position which allows interference with the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base.

In step S80, when the CPU 12A determines in the interference determination in step S70 that an interference region <NUM> is not present between the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B, the flow proceeds to step S90.

In step S90, similarly to step S60, the CPU 12A displays a warning on the display <NUM> so that editing is performed without separating the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited from the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base. The flow proceeds to step S10, and the CPU 12A stays on standby until the amount of the next operation associated with editing is obtained. In other words, the CPU 12A ensures that the three-dimensional shape 32A is not separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B at the completion time of editing. When the three-dimensional shape 32A is separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B, even if an instruction for completing editing is received, the CPU 12A allows a user to continue the editing of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> until the three-dimensional shape 32A interferes with the three-dimensional shape 32B.

Alternatively, when the three-dimensional shape 32A is separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B and an instruction for completing editing is received, editing is automatically performed by the CPU 12A so that the three-dimensional shape 32A interferes with a nearby three-dimensional shape 32B, and the editing of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> may be completed. In this case, it provides users with a message for notifying in advance that the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is to be automatically edited to have interference or a message for notifying that the three-dimensional shape <NUM> has been automatically edited to have interference.

On the other hand, when the determination processing in step S80 indicates an affirmative determination, the edit processing of the three-dimensional shape data illustrated in <FIG> is completed.

It is to be noted that the editing device 10A may also handle the three-dimensional shape 32A configurated by multiple three-dimensional shapes as one integrated three-dimensional shape 32A. Also, the editing device 10A may also handle the three-dimensional shape 32B configurated by multiple three-dimensional shapes as one integrated three-dimensional shape 32B.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example, which is not part of the claimed invention, of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>, in which the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base is configurated by a three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> and a three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM>.

The editing device 10A handles the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> and the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> as one integrated three-dimensional shape 32B. Thus, the editing device 10A permits editing to cause the three-dimensional shape 32A to be separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> and to be moved to the three-dimensional shape 32B-<NUM> along the path indicated by arrow F2 of <FIG>.

Like this, when receiving separation editing permission from a user, the editing device 10A permits editing to cause the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited to be separated from the three-dimensional shape 32B serving as the base. After receiving an instruction for completing editing, the editing device 10A determines whether or not the three-dimensional shape 32A interfere with the three-dimensional shape 32B, and when no interference is present, the editing device 10A prompts a user to redo editing. Therefore, the editing device 10A improves the flexibility of editing, and reduces the possibility of editing not intended by a user.

Here, although the operation of the editing device 10A has been described using an example of movement of the three-dimensional shape 32A, it goes without saying that the edit processing illustrated in <FIG> is applied to other editing such as rotation, enlargement, and reduction.

For instance, as illustrated in <FIG>, even when portions of the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B interfere with each other, the editing device <NUM> according to the first example and the exemplary embodiment, and the editing device 10A according to the second example each determine that the three-dimensional shapes 32A, 32B interfere with each other.

As already described, various attributes are designated to the voxels <NUM> which configurate the three-dimensional shape <NUM>. Thus, it is assumed that regions composed of different material M1 and material M2 are designated to the three-dimensional shapes 32A, 32B illustrated in <FIG>.

In this case, it is easier to connect the same materials than to connect different materials, and the strength of a connection portion is maintained. Therefore, as illustrated in <FIG>, depending on conditions, a situation may occur in which three-dimensional shape data is edited so that the regions designated as material "M2" interfere with each other, for instance.

In a third example, an editing device 10B, which edits three-dimensional shape data so that regions having the same attribute interfere with each other, will be described. It is to be noted that the configuration of the editing device 10B is the same as the configuration of the editing device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example, which is not part of the claimed invention, of a flow of edit processing of three-dimensional shape data performed by the editing device 10B. An editing program, which defines the edit processing of three-dimensional shape data, is pre-stored in the ROM 12B, and for instance, when receiving an edit start instruction for the three-dimensional shape <NUM> from a user, the CPU 12A reads the editing program from the ROM 12B and executes the editing program.

The edit processing illustrated in <FIG> differs from the edit processing of <FIG> described in the first example in that step S20 is replaced by step S20A. For other processing, the same processing as the edit processing described in <FIG> is performed. Thus, hereinafter, the edit processing illustrated in <FIG> will be described using an example of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, focusing on the point of difference from the edit processing illustrated in <FIG>.

First, in step S5, the CPU 12A obtains an attribute of each of the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B. The type of attribute obtained is designated by a user via the operating portion <NUM>, for instance. In the example of <FIG>, since editing is performed to cause regions having the same material to interfere with each other, "material" is obtained as the type of attribute, and for instance, "material M2" is obtained as the material to be determined.

In step S20A, the CPU 12A calculates the position of the edited three-dimensional shape 32A based on the amount of operation obtained in step S10, and represents the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B each by a bit sequence in the three-dimensional coordinate space under the assumption that the three-dimensional shape 32A is at the calculated position. In this process, the CPU 12A represent the three-dimensional shape 32A and the three-dimensional shape 32B each by a bit sequence related to the attribute obtained in step S5.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a bit sequence that represents the three-dimensional shape <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the element value of the coordinates, to which the material of "M2" to be determined for an attribute is assigned, of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> is set to "<NUM>", and the element value of other coordinates is set to "<NUM>".

The CPU 12A performs the AND operation on a bit sequence representing the three-dimensional shape 32A and a bit sequence representing the three-dimensional shape 32B, thereby extracting an interference region <NUM> where interference of the materials M2 occurs. The CPU 12A then determines whether or not editing is performed, which causes a region of the three-dimensional shape 32A having an attribute of the material M2 to interfere with a region of the three-dimensional shape 32B having an attribute of the material M2.

It is to be noted that when performing the AND operation, the CPU 12A changes the element value of the coordinates adjacent to a region of the material M2 in the three-dimensional shape 32A to be edited to "<NUM>", and performs the AND operation. Thus, the case where the surface of a region composed of the material M2 out of the three-dimensional shape 32A, and the surface of a region composed of the material M2 out of the three-dimensional shape 32B are in contact is also determined to be a state of interference.

Hereinafter, when interference of the material M2 is not recognized in step S30, a warning is displayed in step S60, and the CPU 12A controls the editing so that the region of the material M2 in the three-dimensional shape 32A is not separated from the region of the material M2 in the three-dimensional shape 32B.

Like this, the editing device 10B according to the third example extracts a region where interference of the same attribute occurs, as the interference region of the three-dimensional shape <NUM>. An attribute to be determined for an interference region is selected in various manners, and editing of the three-dimensional shape <NUM> according to a purpose is performed.

It is to be noted that multiple attributes to be determined for an interference region may be selected. In this case, in step S20A of <FIG>, when interference occurs in a region including at least one attribute out of the selected multiple types of attributes, the region may be extracted as the interference region <NUM>, or when interference occurs in a region including all the selected attributes, the region may be extracted as the interference region <NUM>.

Although the present disclosure has been described above using the exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the scope of the exemplary embodiment. Various modifications or improvements may be made to the exemplary embodiment without departing from the gist of the present disclosure, and the exemplary embodiment to which the modifications or improvements are made is also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

For instance, the edit processing of three-dimensional shape data illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> may be implemented by hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In this case, faster processing is achieved as compared with the case where the edit processing is implemented by software.

Also, in the exemplary embodiment, although a case has been described where the editing program for three-dimensional shape data is installed in the ROM 12B, the exemplary embodiment is not limited to this. The editing program for three-dimensional shape data according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention may be provided in the form of computer readable medium. For instance, the editing program according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention may be provided in the form of recording in an optical disk such as a compact disc (CD)-ROM and a digital versatile disc (DVD)-ROM or in a semiconductor memory such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory and a memory card. Also, the editing program for three-dimensional shape data according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention may be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to the communicator <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An editing device for three-dimensional shape data of a three-dimensional object to be produced, comprising:
an extraction unit that extracts, in a three-dimensional model object which is integrally configurated from a plurality of three-dimensional shapes that interfere with each other, one or more interference regions between a first three-dimensional shape to be edited and a second three-dimensional shape that interferes with the first three-dimensional shape, out of the plurality of three-dimensional shapes represented by three-dimensional shape data;
a selection unit that, when one or more interference regions are extracted by the extraction unit, selects the one or more interference regions as targets to be monitored for interference with the second three-dimensional shape,
wherein an interference region is a surface of the first three-dimensional shape where it comes into contact with a surface of the second three-dimensional shape or portions of the first and second three-dimensional shapes where they overlap;
characterized by:
the selection unit sets a reference point and a reference axis which serve as reference for editing the first three-dimensional shape, wherein the reference point is set in the selected one or more interference regions, and wherein the reference axis passes through the reference point;
wherein when the editing comprises rotation the rotation is about the reference axis, and when the editing comprises enlargement or reduction the enlargement or reduction is in a direction of the reference axis;
a control unit that controls editing of the first three-dimensional shape so that the one or more interference regions extracted by the extraction unit are not lost, by defining the presence of the one or more interference regions as a restriction condition for editing, so that the reference point is not separated from the second three-dimensional shape.