Abstract: In one example embodiment, an analysis application is used to optimize sensor placement by implementing a two-part optimization solution procedure, involving generating a contribution database, and determining an optimized sensor location set using the contribution database. The optimized sensor location set may indicate locations that maximize coverage of dynamic integrity, which is quantified by as a ratio of detectable damage scenarios to all damage scenarios used by the analysis application.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for creating assemblies of model objects in a modeling space of a computer aided design (CAD) application utilizing virtual connectors (i.e. “named intelligent connectors” (NICs)). Model objects may be associated with one or more NICs that represent possible points of connection to other model objects. In response to instructions in the user interface of the CAD application, a connection may be formed by recording invariant information in the NICs. Further, a connected position and orientation of a model object in a global coordinate system of the modeling space may be calculated using the invariant information in the NICs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for tracking a mobile device within a building. A course position estimate of the mobile device is determined using a positioning system. The course position estimate indicates a room in which the mobile device is located. One or more sensors of the mobile device capture a live point cloud of surroundings of the mobile device. Tracking software accesses a portion of a pre-captured point cloud of the interior of the building that serves as a reference. The portion of the pre-captured point cloud corresponds to the room indicated by the course position estimate. Once the initial pose is determined, an updated pose of the mobile device is determined when the mobile device is moved, based on a further comparison of the live point cloud to the portion of the pre-captured point cloud.

Abstract: In one embodiment, augmented reality is facilitated by a special initialization user interface that shows multiple views of a three-dimensional (3-D) model and a representation of a physical environment captured by a camera, where each of the multiple views is updated substantially in real-time as changes are made in another of the multiple views. An approximate lateral position of the representation of the physical environment with respect to the 3-D model is received through user interaction with a first of the views. An approximate orientation of the representation of the physical environment with respect to the 3-D model is received through user interaction with a second of the views. Correspondence is established between a plurality of portions of the 3-D model and a plurality of portions of the representation of the physical environment to anchor the 3-D model to the representation of the physical environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an augmented view is generated that accounts for dynamically changing terrain surface at a site. A sensor captures live georeferenced terrain surface topography for the site. A camera captures an image of the site. Further, a tracking system determines a georeferenced camera pose of the camera. An augmented reality application aligns a georeferenced three-dimensional (3-D) model for the site with the live georeferenced terrain surface topography. Then, using at least the captured image, the georeferenced camera pose, the georeferenced 3-D model and live georeferenced terrain surface topography, the augmented reality application creates an augmented view of the site that shows graphical representations of subsurface features. At least a portion of the graphical representations are dynamically conformed to the contours of the terrain surface in the image based on the live georeferenced terrain surface topography.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a three-dimensional (3-D) model is aligned with a view of a physical environment captured by a camera. An augmented reality view is generated by superposing elements of the 3-D model and the view of the physical environment. At least some of the elements of the 3-D model are initially hidden within the augmented reality view. A virtual window is imposed that penetrates a surface within the augmented reality view. The virtual window clips the view of the physical environment and elements of the 3-D model that intersect the virtual window to reveal initially-hidden elements of the 3-D model located beyond the virtual window. The augmented reality view with the virtual window is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented land planning system is designed to generate at least one conceptual fit solution to a user-defined land development problem. The system employs a computer readable medium and a computer program encoded on the medium. The computer program is operable, when executed on a computer, for electronically creating at least one candidate solution to the land development problem. The candidate solution incorporates a plurality of engineering measurements applicable in development of an undeveloped land site. Existing GIS data is collected for the selected undeveloped land site. A fitness function quantitatively evaluates the candidate solution based on its cost. A heuristic problem-solving strategy manipulates the engineering measurements of the candidate solution to achieve a more quantitatively fit solution to the land development problem. Documentation illustrating the fit solution to the land development problem is delivered to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an augmented reality application generates an augmented reality view that displays three-dimensional (3-D) ground penetrating radar (GPR) data on boundary surfaces of a virtual excavation. The augmented reality application calculates an intersection of the one or more boundary surfaces of the virtual excavation and the 3-D GPR data, and extracts data items of the 3-D GPR data that intersect the one or more boundary surfaces of the virtual excavation. The augmented reality application then projects two-dimensional (2-D) images based on the extracted data items onto the one or more boundary surfaces of the virtual excavation to show subsurface features in the augmented reality view that can be manipulated (e.g., moved, rotated, scaled, have its depth changed, etc) by a user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a 3-D model is employed as a navigable container for 2-D raster images, allowing 2-D raster images to be maintained and displayed within the context of the 3-D model. An image cloud level is provided for the 3-D model. Icons are provided within the image cloud level. Each icon corresponds to a respective 2-D raster image and is located at a position within the 3-D space of the 3-D model that corresponds to a position in the physical space of the physical world where the 2-D raster image was originally captured Upon selection of a particular icon, a combined view is shown, depicting the corresponding 2-D raster image combined with a corresponding portion of the 3-D model.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for using a virtual mouse to interact with an electronic device. The virtual mouse is displayed on a touch screen display of the electronic device. The virtual mouse includes a pointer identifying a position, and a control region positioned proximate to, but offset from, the pointer. The control region includes a movement area for receiving touch input that is mapped to movement of the virtual mouse, and one or more buttons for performing one or more actions related to an item or point located at the identified position. In use, when touch input is received in the movement area of the virtual mouse, the virtual mouse, including the pointer, is moved. When, a button of the one or more buttons is pressed, an action is performed that is related to the item or point located at the identified position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-aided foundation design technique employs variable soil parameters that are dynamically updated based on changes in footing shape, size, and/or embedment depth. The variable soil parameters may include a variable soil bearing capacity. The variable soil bearing capacity may be represented as a series of bearing capacity interaction curves that indicate an allowable bearing capacity for different footing dimensions and embedment depths. As part of the computer-aided foundation design technique, different combinations of footing dimensions and/or embedment depths may be iterated through, and for each iteration, base pressures may be tested against a soil bearing capacity that is specific to that combination of footing dimension and embedment depth.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an augmented view is provided utilizing a panorama. A panorama of the physical environment is captured with a panoramic camera. The panorama has a panoramic field of view and is embodied as a sequence of video frames. An initial pose of the panoramic camera is determined. The panoramic camera is tracked to update the initial pose to subsequent poses to account for movement of the panoramic camera about the physical environment. The tracking utilizes features dispersed across the panoramic field of view of video frames. The panorama is augmented by merging computer-generated elements with the panorama based on the updated pose of the panoramic camera. A sub-portion of the panorama, along with the computer-generated elements, is displayed as an augmented view. The displayed augmented view may have a field of view that is less than the panoramic field of view.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a panoramic camera captures a panorama of the physical environment visible from a position within the physical environment. An orientation sensor determines an orientation of a handheld device. Based on the orientation of the handheld device, a backend augmentation application selects a portion of the captured panorama visible in a corresponding orientation from the position to produce a view of the physical environment. The view of the physical environment shows physical features of the physical environment and at least a portion of the user's body. The backend augmentation application augments the view of the physical environment to merge computer-generated features with the view of the physical environment to create an augmented reality view. The augmented reality view shows a relationship between the portion of the user's body, the physical features, and the computer-generated features. The augmented reality view is displayed on the handheld device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for manipulating an object of a multidimensional (e.g., 2-D, 3-D, etc.) model within a modeling environment using a special placement dashboard. The placement dashboard operates as both as a control interface for manipulating the object in multidimensional space, and as a measurement interface for displaying measurements related to the manipulated object. While serving this dual role, the placement dashboard may selectively limit displayed interface elements, and limit manipulations that may be performed on the manipulated object based on the type of the manipulated object itself, and based on its interaction with one or more other objects of the multidimensional model.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a two-dimensional (2-D) drawing is shown in an augmented reality view on a display screen of an electronic device. A three-dimensional (3-D) model is imposed within a view of the physical structure captured by a camera. The 2-D drawing is also imposed within the view of the physical structure. A portion of the 2-D drawing whose details correspond to internal features of the physical structure may be shown by sliding the 2-D drawing from a particular position to a different position, or by displaying the 2-D drawing within context of the 3-D model, which is in turn displayed within context of the view of the physical structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the capabilities of a social collaboration application are leveraged to permit synchronized viewing of computer aided design (CAD) models and exchange of annotations (e.g., redlines) related thereto, in a social review session involving differing applications executing on different computers. By utilizing the capabilities of the social collaboration application as a transport mechanism, users operating differing applications on different computers may participate in the social review session for the CAD model, thereby allowing users who do not, for example, have access to the application in which the CAD model was developed to be part of the review process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, data of a data set that describes the topography of a three-dimensional surface (e.g., a DTM) is obtained at a resolution appropriate for visualization on a display screen. The data is organized into a number of resolutions by spatial indexing. A lowest resolution cluster of data is selected. For any visible data in the selected cluster of data for a type of visualization to be shown on the display screen, a point density in a coordinate system of the display screen resulting from data is compared to a configured threshold. If the point density in the display screen's coordinate system is below the configured threshold, visible data in the selected cluster of data is returned for display. If the point density in the display screen's coordinate system is above the configured threshold, one or more next-higher resolution clusters of data are selected, and the technique repeated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for semi-automatically extracting a polyline from a linear feature in a point cloud. The user may provide initial parameters, including a point about the linear feature and a starting direction. A linear feature extraction process may automatically follow the linear feature beginning in the starting direction from about the selected point. The linear feature extraction process may attempt to follow a linear segment of the linear feature. If some points may be followed that constitute a linear segment, a line segment modeling the linear segment is created. The linear feature extraction process then determines whether the end of the linear feature has been reached. If the end has not been reached, the linear feature extraction process may repeat. If the end has been reached, the linear feature extraction process may return the line segments and create a polyline from them.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stack of individual images of a scene are created. Each individual image corresponds to a respective light source or light source group associated with the scene. The individual images are combined to produce a combined image. The combined image is displayed. In response to user input indicating adjustments to a light source or light source group, an operator is applied to a corresponding individual image of the stack of individual images. An updated combined image is displayed on the display screen. Values for light sources or light source groups are generated based on the applied operator. The generated values are provided to a design session in a modeling environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semi-automated technique is used to reconstruct a vector-based model from a point cloud that represents a physical subject. At least a portion of the point cloud is displayed. A selection of a seed of points that correspond to a particular physical feature of the physical subject is received from a user. The selection is received with a flashlight virtual tool having a field of view. An automatic detection of a geometric primitive is performed based on the seed of points. The automatic detection uses an iterative algorithm that detects an initial geometric primitive based on the seed of points, uses the initial geometric primitive to determine an expanded set of points, and detects a refined geometric primitive based on the expanded set of points. A vector-based model is produced using the detected geometric primitive.