Patent ID: 8174522

Claim:
A method for creating three-dimensional (3D) structural data of a 3D structure configured from a plurality of different elements by use of a graphical user interface (GUI), the method comprising: visually displaying on a unit graphic creation screen a first two-dimensional (2D) cross-section image of the 3D structure and a second 2D cross-section image of the 3D structure different in normal vector from the first 2D cross-section; forming, in response to receipt of range specification by a user, a first unit graphic based on the first 2D cross-section image and a second unit graphic based on the second 2D cross-section image; displaying the first and second unit graphics on a labeling processing screen for permitting the user to partition the first and second unit graphics on a per-element basis; performing layout positioning of the first and second unit graphics in accordance with respective normal vectors thereof; expanding the partitioned first unit graphic in the normal direction of the first 2D cross-section image to thereby convert it into a 3D object; expanding the partitioned second unit graphic in the normal direction of the second 2D cross-section image to thereby convert it to a 3D object; allocating in an automated way an identical element to a region in which an element of the 3D-converted first unit graphic and an element of the 3D-converted second unit graphic coincide with each other in regions with intersection of respective partitioned portions of the 3D-converted first unit graphic and respective partitioned portions of the 3D-converted second unit graphic; and when another region in which an element of the 3D-converted first unit graphic and an element of the 3D-converted second unit graphic fail to coincide with each other is present in regions with intersection of respective partitioned portions of the 3D-converted first unit graphic and respective partitioned portions of the 3D-converted second unit graphic, allowing a user to allocate to the another region on a retouching processing screen any selected one of the elements of the partitioned portions of the 3D-converted first and second unit graphics, wherein the first and second 2D cross-section images prepared are simultaneously displayed on a 2D sectional image adjustment screen for allowing the user to perform scale adjustment and position adjustment of the first and second 2D cross-section images.