Patent ID: 8477154

Claim:
A method of using a Graphic User Interface (GUI) for interactive virtual inspection of modeled objects comprising: acquiring a three-dimensional model of a modeled object including storing a plurality of views of said modeled object in a searchable database; displaying a first view of said modeled object; identifying by a user, a location of interest at a location on a surface of said modeled object that is visible within said first view; creating a markup tag having inspection information entered by said user that annotates said location of interest; automatically associating said markup tag with said location of interest at said location on said modeled object; displaying a second view of said modeled object having at least one image point that correlates to the user identified location of interest on said modeled object, wherein said at least one image point is visible within said second view; conveying said markup tag including said inspection information to said second view of said modeled object; editing said markup tag at said second view such that inspection information is added to and/or deleted from said markup tag and automatically associated with said location of interest at said location on said modeled object; and wherein said step of conveying said markup tag to said second view further comprises a search and filter step comprising: conveying search criteria as a query to said database; displaying in a thumbnail window of a display thumbnail views from said database corresponding to said search criteria and including information from one or more markup tags; and designating one or more of said thumbnail views for display in a main window of said display as a full size high resolution view including information from said markup tag.