JP4786486B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention, as a three-dimensional CAD, relates to a control method and program of an information processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus having a display unit, and an instruction means for instructing the display on the surface cursor of the display unit.

  When modeling a model having a three-dimensional space (cavity), the conventional three-dimensional CAD function does not consider the operability related to the inside of the cavity, and the internal elements cannot be directly specified. For this reason, the model is cut and punched to create an internal shape, and then the models are joined together.

  On the other hand, the display in the cavity has been realized, and the three-dimensional effect is expressed by shading the normal model (FIG. 12).

  However, in order to see the inside of the model, it was necessary to make it translucent or wire frame display. For this reason, there is a drawback that the shadow is difficult to understand and it is not possible to know which of the overlapping lines is in front (FIG. 13).

  12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the functions of this type of three-dimensional CAD.

As proposed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the cursor can move in the depth direction of the screen, and the depth can be expressed by changing the cursor size. Can be done.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-258954 JP 2004-084252 A

  However, the techniques proposed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 consider the expression of the cursor with respect to the three-dimensional model outline, and do not take into account working inside the three-dimensional model. Still, there is a problem that it is very complicated because it requires a troublesome operation of cutting the three-dimensional model, creating a hole to create an internal shape, and then combining the models.

  Moreover, the situation where the cursor behind the 3D model is hidden behind the model shadow by semi-transparent display etc. can be expressed, but it cannot be distinguished whether the cursor is located inside or outside the model. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to allow a cursor of a pointing device such as a mouse to enter inside a three-dimensional object (three-dimensional model). Provides a mechanism that allows the user to freely move and instruct the interior of a three-dimensional object without cutting the three-dimensional object as in the past, and a mechanism that makes it easy to capture the shape of a three-dimensional object as an image It is to be.

The present invention provides an information processing apparatus having a display means and an instruction means for instructing a display surface of the display means with a cursor so that a virtual three-dimensional space is displayed two-dimensionally on the display surface, and the instruction means A control means for controlling an instruction operation by the instruction means by moving a cursor displayed on the display surface according to the operation of the operation, and an operation for a three-dimensional object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space by the instruction means and detection means for detecting an instruction to switch the first operation switching instruction to allow direct the inner side of the three-dimensional objects arranged in said virtual three-dimensional space is detected by said detecting means In this case, the control means sends an operation instruction by the instruction means from the three-dimensional object displayed two-dimensionally on the display surface. Controlled to switch only the interior space of the bets to an instruction ready, which comprises suppressing the movement range of the cursor inside the three-dimensional object.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to allow the cursor of the pointing means to enter the inside of the three-dimensional object, and to freely move the inside of the three-dimensional object without performing the cutting of the three-dimensional object as in the past. can do. As a result, various processes based on a cursor instruction to the inside of the three-dimensional object can be executed.

  In addition, by leaving an afterimage in which the cursor size is changed in accordance with the amount of displacement in a direction having a component perpendicular to the display surface, the operator views the virtual three-dimensional space itself or the shape of the three-dimensional object as an image. It is possible to easily determine the unevenness of the three-dimensional object and the positional relationship such as inside / outside and back / front.

  Furthermore, since the image whose cursor size has changed is assumed to be an afterimage, and the cursor size at the time of designating the element is restored, it is possible to easily understand the position of the cursor and the location pointed to.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration for information processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an information processing apparatus according to the present invention, specifically a personal computer, a workstation or the like.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes a control device serving as the center of the information processing apparatus 100, which performs various controls. Specifically, the control device 101 corresponds to a CPU of a personal computer and is hereinafter referred to as a CPU.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a RAM (Random Access Memory) which is used by the CPU 101 as a work area for programs and a buffer for temporarily stored data.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory) which stores a boot program and the like. Reference numeral 104 denotes an external memory which stores an operation system (OS) and various programs and various data including a program of the present invention described later. Specifically, the external memory 104 corresponds to a hard disk (HD) or the like and is hereinafter referred to as HD or the like.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a storage medium reading / writing device, which is a device for writing to and reading from the storage medium. The storage medium read / write device 105 specifically corresponds to a drive device such as a CD-RW, a DVD-RW, a DAT, or an FDD.

  The CPU 101 executes various processes based on a program stored in the ROM 103 or a program read from the HD 104 or the storage medium reading / writing device 105 onto the RAM 102 and controls the entire information processing apparatus.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a display device, specifically a display or the like. Reference numeral 107 denotes an input device through which various operations and various data can be input to the information processing apparatus. Specifically, the input device 107 is a keyboard, and the PD is a pointing device (hereinafter referred to as a PD) such as a mouse for pointing on the display surface of the display device 106 with a cursor.

  Reference numeral 108 denotes a communication interface for connecting a transmission path such as a LAN and the information processing apparatus.

  First, an outline of the cursor display operation within the three-dimensional model of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2 and 3 are schematic views showing an outline of the cursor control operation inside the three-dimensional model in the information processing apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the present invention, the CPU 101 controls the display device 106 to perform two-dimensional display control of the virtual three-dimensional space mounted on the RAM 102 and moves the cursor to the display surface of the display device 106 according to the operation of the PD. Is displayed to control the instruction operation by the PD.

  Under such a premise, in the present invention, a door (internal door 603) for moving inside and outside of the three-dimensional model 604 is created on the surface 604a of the three-dimensional model 604 arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. It is possible to do. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the PD cursor (mouse cursor) enters the inside of the three-dimensional model 604 via the internal door 603 so that the inside of the three-dimensional model 604 can be instructed and processed by the cursor. Is.

  That is, according to the present invention, the inside of the three-dimensional model 604 is performed without performing a troublesome operation such as cutting the three-dimensional model 604 and making a hole to create an internal shape and then combining the three-dimensional models. It is possible to create another three-dimensional object (such as an inclusion model 606) in the inside.

  Hereinafter, terms used in this embodiment will be defined.

  “OS cursor”: indicates the state of the cursor in the operation system (OS) environment. That is, the state of the cursor when it is not included in any three-dimensional model (a state in which an arbitrary point on the display surface of the display device 106 can be designated) is shown. The OS is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), MacOS (registered trademark), UNIX (registered trademark), LINUX (registered trademark), etc., and may be any OS.

  “3D cursor”: A cursor in a state of entering the 3D model.

  “Temporary cursor”: a state in which the 3D cursor is temporarily changed to an OS cursor state (a state in which an arbitrary point on the display surface of the display device 106 can be temporarily indicated).

  “Internal door”: A door for moving inside and outside the three-dimensional model.

  3 is a state before the OS cursor 601 is moved, 702 is a state where the OS cursor 601 passes through the internal door 603, and 703 is a 3D cursor 605 where the OS cursor 601 passes through the internal door. Shown later. It should be noted that line segments parallel to the X, Y, and Z axes of the absolute coordinate axes of the three-dimensional virtual space passing through (intersecting) the designated position are added to the designated position of the 3D cursor 605, and the end points of the respective line segments The CPU 101 controls the shape of the 3D cursor so that is a boundary surface between the three-dimensional model and the outside. For example, the shape of the 3D cursor is controlled such as the 3D cursor 605 and the axis lines 605x, 605y, and 605z shown in FIGS.

  Further, in the present invention, as shown by 608 in FIG. 2, when the position of the 3D cursor is changed, the 3D cursor 605 is displayed together with the afterimage 607 during the operation.

  Hereinafter, the cursor display operation within the three-dimensional model in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the cursor display operation processing within the three-dimensional model of the present invention. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by loading a program stored in the HD 104 by the CPU 101 shown in FIG.

  First, in step S401, when the OS cursor 601 is moved on the surface of the target three-dimensional model 604 and the right button of the PD is pressed, the CPU 101 displays the menu 602 on the display device 106 as shown in FIG. To do. Then, when “Create Internal Door” 602a is selected by PD from the displayed menu 602, the CPU 101 adds an internal door attribute to the target surface 604a of the three-dimensional model 604 to be an internal reference target. 603 is created. Here, the internal door attribute will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the internal door attribute added to the target surface of the three-dimensional model in the present invention, and the same components as those in FIGS. 2 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in 801 in FIG. 5, the above-described internal door attribute includes an attribute name “in-out-door” and an attribute value “lower-left-point = door” as the surface attribute of the surface 604 a of the three-dimensional model 604. Lower left (X, Y, Z), upper-right-point = door upper right coordinate (X, Y, Z) ”. The area of the internal door is determined by the attribute value “lower-left-point, upper-right-point”.

  When an internal door is created on the focused surface by moving the PD cursor and focusing the surface to which the attribute is added, the CPU 101 displays the surface attribute (attribute) as shown at 801. Name, attribute value) is displayed on the display device 106.

  Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S402, as shown in FIG. 3, the OS cursor 601 is passed through the internal door 603 created on the focused surface 604a of the three-dimensional model 604 (the attribute value of the internal door 603 is set). When the OS cursor 601 is moved to the area), the CPU 101 recognizes that the OS cursor 601 has been moved from the internal door 603 to the inside of the model. With this as a trigger, the CPU 101 determines that an instruction to move the cursor to the inside of the three-dimensional model 604 (first instruction) has been made, and the CPU 101 advances the process to step S403, and the target model (three-dimensional model 604 in the example of FIG. 3). ) Is changed to a semi-transparent display, and the model color is also changed to a predetermined target model color. Further, the CPU 101 converts the cursor position coordinates to the coordinates inside the internal door, and changes the cursor to a 3D cursor. By the semitransparent display and 3D cursor display of this model, the operator can determine which model the current cursor is inside.

  In step S404, the CPU 101 accepts an operation such as modeling creation (editing inside the model) of the internal structure of the three-dimensional model by the operator.

  Next, in step S405, the CPU 101 determines that the “temporary cursor” 602c is selected in the right button menu 602 of the PD (an instruction to temporarily return to the OS cursor (fourth instruction) has been given. ), The process proceeds to step S406, and the cursor is changed to the OS cursor. At this time, the CPU 101 causes the RAM 102 to store the 3D cursor state (cursor position) before the “temporary cursor” 602c is designated in step S405 as the coordinate value before temporary change.

  Next, in step S407, the CPU 101 accepts use of another menu on the OS by the operator.

  Thereafter, in step S408, the CPU 101 determines that an instruction to return to the state before the temporary cursor is instructed (fifth instruction) is made when it is determined that the window displaying the three-dimensional model is activated. In the case), the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S409, the CPU 101 determines, based on the pre-temporary change coordinate value stored in the RAM 102, the 3D cursor state before the “temporary cursor” 602c is instructed in step S405 (the state immediately before becoming the “temporary cursor” 602c). The cursor state (cursor position, axis state, etc.) is returned to step S410. In step S410, an operation such as modeling creation (editing inside the model) of the model internal structure by the operator is accepted.

  Next, in step S411, when the CPU 101 detects that the cursor has been moved from the “inside door” to the outside of the three-dimensional model, the CPU 101 determines that an instruction to return to the OS cursor has been given, and in step S412, the target three-dimensional Release the translucent state of the model, restore the model color, and return the cursor state to the OS cursor.

  In the present invention, another three-dimensional model can be created in the three-dimensional model. Then, it is possible to create an internal door in the 3D model created in the 3D model, enter the inside of the 3D model created in the 3D model, and process the inside. Moreover, this process can be repeated recursively to create and internally process a three-dimensional model several times.

  When the 3D model in the 3D model is output to the outside (when it is determined that the second instruction has been made), the CPU 101 performs control so that the cursor becomes a 3D cursor in the other 3D model. To do. Therefore, when the space that can be pointed to the cursor is changed from the inside of the three-dimensional model created repeatedly to the outside of all the three-dimensional models (when returning to the OS cursor uniformly), the internal door It is necessary to repeat the operation to go outside from the number of layers of the three-dimensional model. When the “OS cursor” 602d of the menu 602 is instructed (an instruction to return the cursor to a state where an arbitrary point outside all three-dimensional models can be instructed (third instruction) is made. When the determination is made, the CPU 101 controls to return the 3D cursor in the three-dimensional model included several times by this one operation to the OS cursor.

  In order to temporarily return the 3D cursor to the OS cursor, the “temporary cursor” menu 602c shown in steps 405 and S406 in FIG. 4 can be used.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a process when the cursor is moved on the internal door will be described in detail. That is, processing corresponding to steps S402 and S403 in FIG. 4 or steps S411 and S412 in FIG. 4 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a second control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to processing when the cursor is moved on the internal door. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by loading a program stored in the HD 104 by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. In the figure, S1001 to S1013 indicate steps.

  First, in step S1001, the CPU 101 waits for the cursor to move. When detecting that the cursor has been moved, in step S1002, the CPU 101 acquires the current cursor coordinate value (the previous coordinate value moved in step S1001). Then, it is determined whether the current cursor position exists on the surface of the three-dimensional model (whether the surface of the three-dimensional model is focused).

  If it is determined in step S1002 that the surface is not focused, in step S1006, the CPU 101 stores the current cursor coordinate value in the RAM 102 as the previous coordinate value, returns the process to step S1001, and returns the cursor position. Wait for the move operation.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1002 that the surface is focused, in step S1003, the CPU 101 determines whether an internal door attribute is added to the focused surface.

  If it is determined in step S1003 that the internal door attribute has not been added to the internal door on the focused surface, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S1006.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1003 that the internal door attribute is added to the focused surface, the CPU 101 acquires the internal door area from the surface attribute of the internal door in step S1004 (that is, FIG. 5). The attribute values “lower-left-point, upper-right-point” shown in 801 are acquired).

  Next, in step S1005, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a cursor exists in the internal door area acquired in step S1004. If the CPU 101 determines that there is no cursor in the internal door area, the CPU 101 determines in step S1006. Proceed with the process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1005 that the cursor is in the internal door area acquired in step S1004, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S1007.

  In step S1007, the CPU 101 calculates a vector from the previous coordinate value stored in the RAM 102 to the current cursor position coordinate value.

  Next, in step S1008, the CPU 101 determines whether the vector direction calculated in step S1007 is directed to the inside or the outside of the three-dimensional model in which the internal door exists. That is, it is determined whether the cursor has been entered from the outside into the three-dimensional model (whether it is facing inward) or has been moved out of the three-dimensional model (whether it is facing inward).

  In step S1008, when it is determined that the vector direction calculated in step S1007 is directed to the inside of the three-dimensional model in which the internal door exists (when it is determined that an instruction to move the cursor to the inside of the three-dimensional model has been given) ), The CPU 101 advances the processing to step S1012.

  In step S1012, the CPU 101 changes the coordinate value indicated by the cursor to the coordinate value inside the internal door. In step S1013, the CPU 101 changes the cursor to the 3D cursor display in the three-dimensional model (that is, step in FIG. 4). Note that the details of the processing in step S1013 are shown in FIG. 7 to be described later (corresponding to the processing in S402 and S403).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1008 that the vector direction calculated in step S1007 is directed to the outside of the three-dimensional model in which the internal door exists (determined that an instruction to move the cursor from the inside of the three-dimensional model to the outside is given). The CPU 101 proceeds to step S1009.

  In step S1009, the CPU 101 changes the coordinate value indicated by the cursor to the coordinate value outside the internal door, and the process proceeds to step S1010.

  In step S1010, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the cursor is still in the three-dimensional model. If the CPU 101 determines that the cursor is still in the three-dimensional model, the process advances to step S1013 to move the cursor to the 3D model. Change to 3D cursor display in dimensional model.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1010 that the cursor is no longer in the three-dimensional model, the CPU 101 advances the processing to step S1013 and changes the cursor to the OS cursor display (that is, in steps S411 and S412 in FIG. 4). Corresponding to processing).

  Hereinafter, the details of the processing for changing to the 3D cursor display shown in step S1013 of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a third control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to details of the processing for changing to the 3D cursor display shown in step S1013 of FIG. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by loading a program stored in the HD 104 by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. In the figure, S501 to S505 indicate each step.

  First, in step S501, the CPU 101 creates an infinite line parallel to the X, Y, and Z axes of the absolute coordinate axes of the three-dimensional virtual space that passes (intersects) the current cursor position.

  Next, in step S <b> 502, the CPU 101 calculates a point (intersection) where each of the infinite lines intersects with the three-dimensional model in which the cursor currently enters.

  Next, in step S503, the CPU 101 corrects each infinite line created in step S501 to a line segment between each intersection calculated in step S502.

  Next, in step S504, the CPU 101 stores the current cursor coordinate value in the RAM 102 as the previous coordinate value.

  Next, in step S505, the CPU 101 displays the current cursor coordinate value as a 3D cursor (for example, 605 in FIGS. 2 and 3) and displays the above-described line segments as 3D cursor axis lines (for example, FIGS. 2 and 3). 605x, 605y, and 605z) shown on the display device 106, and the process ends.

  Hereinafter, a process when the 3D cursor is moved inside the three-dimensional model will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to processing when the 3D cursor is moved inside the three-dimensional model. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by loading a program stored in the HD 104 by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. In the figure, S901 to S910 indicate each step.

  In step S901, the CPU 101 acquires the coordinate value indicated by the current cursor. In step S902, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the cursor is moved based on the cursor coordinate value acquired in step S901 and the previous coordinate value stored in the RAM 102, and the cursor is moved. If it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step S905.

  In step S905, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the current cursor coordinate value acquired in step S901 is within or outside the range of the 3D model in which the 3D cursor exists (intrudes).

  If it is determined in step S905 that the current cursor coordinate value is outside the range of the three-dimensional model, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S906, and determines the coordinate value exceeding the range and the three-dimensional model. Change the setting to the boundary value with the outside. For example, the straight line passing through the previous coordinate value of the cursor and the current cursor coordinate value and the cursor calculate the intersection point with the three-dimensional model, and the cursor coordinate value is set and changed at the calculated intersection point.

  Further, in step S907, the CPU 101 moves the 3D cursor to the coordinates changed in step S906, and advances the process to step S908.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S905 that the current cursor coordinate value is within the range of the three-dimensional model, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S908 as it is.

  In step S908, the CPU 101 compares the moved cursor coordinate value with the previous coordinate value, and determines whether the moved coordinate value has moved to the back (Z-axis positive direction) with respect to the screen from the previous coordinate value. It is determined whether it has moved in the negative Z-axis direction).

  If it is determined in step S909 that the moved coordinate value has moved to the back (Z-axis positive direction) with respect to the screen from the previous coordinate value, in step S909, the CPU 101 reduces the afterimage of the 3D cursor. Display is performed, and the process returns to step S901.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S909 that the moved coordinate value has moved forward (Z-axis negative direction) with respect to the screen from the previous coordinate value, in step S910, the CPU 101 enlarges the afterimage of the 3D cursor. Display is performed, and the process returns to step S901.

  Note that the reduction / enlargement ratio in the reduction / enlargement afterimage display of the 3D cursor depends on the amount of movement of the cursor in the positive Z-axis direction. Although not shown here, when the movement amount of the cursor in the positive direction of the Z-axis is “0”, enlargement / reduction is not performed.

  If it is determined in step S902 that the cursor has not been moved, the CPU 101 advances the process to step S903.

  In step S <b> 903, the CPU 101 displays a cursor displayed in an enlarged or reduced afterimage display in a standard size (size before being enlarged / reduced), and further performs a process of deleting the afterimage.

  Next, in step S904, the CPU 101 stores the cursor coordinate value acquired in step S901 in the RAM 102 as the previous coordinate value, and returns the process to step S901.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, the change of the cursor when the 3D cursor is moved to the inside of the inclusion model will be specifically shown.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a cursor change when the 3D cursor is moved to the inside model, and the same components as those in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1101 denotes a state in which another three-dimensional model 1104 is included in the three-dimensional model 604 where the 3D cursor 605 exists.

  Reference numeral 1102 denotes a state where the internal door 1105 is created in the internal 3D model 1104. Further, 1103 indicates a state in which the 3D cursor 605 has moved into the internal 3D model 1104 to become the 3D cursor 1106. At this time, the CPU 101 controls the inclusion model 1104 to be translucently displayed so that the axis of the 3D cursor 1106 indicates the range of the inclusion model 1104.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, the case where a cavity shape is created inside a three-dimensional model will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a cavity shape is created inside the three-dimensional model.

  In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1201 denotes a state where a cross-sectional shape is created inside the three-dimensional model. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a state in which a cavity shape is created by extruding the cross section created in 1201. Further, reference numeral 1203 indicates a state in which a cavity shape is created inside the three-dimensional model.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the three-dimensional CAD has been described. However, the display device and the PD for instructing the display surface of the display device with a cursor are mounted on the memory. An information processing apparatus (system) that displays a virtual three-dimensional space on the display surface in a two-dimensional manner and displays a cursor on the display surface in response to the operation of the PD to control an instruction operation by the PD. The present invention can be applied to any device (system).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the PD cursor can enter the three-dimensional object (three-dimensional model), and the inside of the three-dimensional object can be freely moved. As a result, various operations on the inside of the three-dimensional object can be executed, such as creating and editing the internal structure of the three-dimensional object.

  In addition, by changing the cursor size according to the displacement direction and displacement amount with respect to the depth, the operator can image the shape of the 3D object placed in the virtual 3D space displayed in 2D on the display device. It is possible to easily determine the unevenness of the three-dimensional object, the positional relationship between the inside / outside of the element, the front / back, and the like.

  As a result, even in the cases shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, it becomes easier to understand which line is in front, and whether the cursor is located inside or outside the three-dimensional object can be easily distinguished. Become.

  Furthermore, since the image whose cursor size has changed is assumed to be an afterimage, and the cursor size at the time of designating the element is restored to the original, there is an effect that the position of the cursor and the location pointed to can be easily understood.

  By applying such a technique to the three-dimensional CAD, a troublesome operation is performed in which the three-dimensional model is joined after the three-dimensional object is cut and a hole is made and an internal shape is created as in the past. In the meantime, it is possible to enter the inside of the three-dimensional model and create another three-dimensional model therein. Therefore, it is possible to construct a three-dimensional CAD system in which the editing operation of the three-dimensional model is extremely simplified.

  It should be noted that the configurations and contents of various data and models shown in the above embodiment are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that they are configured with various configurations and contents in accordance with applications and purposes.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a recording medium (storage medium) that stores various data processing programs readable by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  Although not specifically shown, information for managing a program group stored in the recording medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, when a program or data to be installed is compressed, a program to be decompressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 8 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external recording medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, A silicon disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. It becomes.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each application example in embodiment mentioned above are also included in this invention.

  The present invention includes a display device and a PD for designating a display surface of the display device with a cursor, and displays a virtual three-dimensional space mounted on a memory two-dimensionally on the display surface. As long as the information processing device (system) controls the instruction operation by the PD by displaying a cursor on the display surface in accordance with the operation of (1), it can be applied to any device (system) (for example, 3D CAD).

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the cursor control operation | movement inside the three-dimensional model in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the cursor control operation | movement inside the three-dimensional model in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the internal door attribute added to the target surface of a three-dimensional model in this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 4th control processing procedure in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows a cursor change at the time of moving a 3D cursor to the inside of an inclusion model. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which produces a cavity shape inside a three-dimensional model. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the recording medium (storage medium) which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the function of this kind of three-dimensional CAD. It is a figure explaining the function of this kind of three-dimensional CAD.

Explanation of symbols

100 Information processing apparatus 101 CPU
102 RAM
103 ROM
104 HD
105 Storage Medium Reading / Writing Device 106 Display Device 107 Input Device 601 OS Cursor 602 Menu 603 Internal Door 604 3D Model 605 3D Cursor 606 Inclusion Model

Claims (9)

In an information processing apparatus having a display unit and an instruction unit for designating a display surface of the display unit with a cursor,
Control means for controlling a pointing operation by the pointing means by moving a cursor displayed on the display surface in accordance with an operation of the pointing means, while displaying a virtual three-dimensional space two-dimensionally on the display surface;
Detecting means for detecting an operation switching instruction for a three-dimensional object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space by the instruction means;
When the first operation switching instruction to allow direct the inner side of the three-dimensional objects arranged in said virtual three-dimensional space is detected by said detecting means, said control means operating instruction by said instructing means Is controlled so that only the internal space of the three-dimensional object can be designated from the three-dimensional object displayed two-dimensionally on the display surface, and the range of movement of the cursor is controlled by the three-dimensional object. An information processing apparatus characterized by being suppressed inside . The control means is configured such that when the movable range of the instruction means is an object inside the three-dimensional object, a cursor displayed on the display surface in response to an operation of the instruction means is an inside of the three-dimensional object. If it is determined that an instruction to move outside the space is given, the coordinate value of the cursor is set to a boundary value between the internal space of the three-dimensional object and the outside thereof, and the cursor is moved to the boundary value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The control means is configured to allow the instruction means to indicate the outside of the three-dimensional object by the detection means when the range that can be indicated by the instruction means is an object inside the three-dimensional object. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that an instruction to switch operations is given, the external space of the three-dimensional object is controlled to be within a range that can be instructed by the instruction means. When the instructable space of the instruction unit is an object inside the first three-dimensional object, the control unit applies the second three-dimensional object that is an object inside the first three-dimensional object. When it is determined that the instruction for switching the first operation has been made, the object inside the second three-dimensional object is recursively controlled so as to be in a range that can be instructed by the instruction means,
When the instructable space of the instruction means is an internal space of a second three-dimensional object that is an object inside the first three-dimensional object, if it is determined that the instruction to switch the second operation is given, 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an object outside the second three-dimensional object and inside the first object is recursively controlled so as to be within a range that can be instructed by the instruction means. . Generating means for generating an entry / exit area for moving the inside and outside of the three-dimensional object on the surface of the three-dimensional object;
The control means includes
When the cursor is moved from the external space of the three-dimensional object in which the entry / exit area is generated to the entry / exit area, it is determined that the first operation switching instruction is given to the three-dimensional object;
4. The second operation switching instruction is determined when the cursor is moved from the internal space of the three-dimensional object in which the entry / exit area has been generated to the entry / exit area. Or the information processing apparatus of 4. The control means can designate any point on the display surface by the instruction means when the instruction means designates the internal space of the three-dimensional object and determines that a third operation switching instruction has been made. the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller controls the first state. An object generating unit capable of generating and arranging a three-dimensional object within a range that can be instructed by the instruction unit based on a cursor operation by the instruction unit;
7. The object generation unit according to claim 1, wherein the object generation unit can process a three-dimensional object arranged within a range that can be instructed by the instruction unit based on a cursor operation by the instruction unit . The information processing apparatus according to item 1 . In a control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: a display unit; and an instruction unit for designating a display surface of the display unit with a cursor.
A control step for causing the control means to display a virtual three-dimensional space two-dimensionally on the display surface, and to control an instruction operation by the instruction means by moving a cursor to the display surface according to an operation of the instruction means;
Detecting means, by said instructing means, and a detection step of detecting an instruction for switching operation with respect to the three-dimensional objects arranged in said virtual three-dimensional space,
When the first operation switching instruction to allow direct the inner side of the three-dimensional objects arranged in said virtual three-dimensional space by said detecting step is detected, the operation by the instructing means in the control step An instruction is controlled to switch from the three-dimensional object displayed two-dimensionally on the display surface to a state in which only the internal space of the three-dimensional object can be designated, and the range in which the cursor moves is controlled by the three-dimensional object A control method for an information processing apparatus, characterized in that the information processing apparatus is controlled inside .   The program for functioning a computer as a means of the information processing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7.

Images