Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide the ability to optimize placement of annotations in a drawing model. A drawing model that has annotations and objects is acquired. An annotation (to be moved) is randomly selected. A new position for the selected annotation is randomly selected. The selected annotation is moved to the new position. A new quality score of a resulting drawing model is computed. The resulting drawing model is accepted or rejected based on the new quality score. The above steps are iterated, wherein over time, a probability of accepting the resulting drawing model based on a worse new quality score decreases. The final resulting drawing model is output (e.g., for display).

Abstract: A system for generating a three-dimensional puzzle comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to generate a three dimensional mesh representation. The processor is further configured to convert polygons comprising the three-dimensional mesh representation to one or more puzzle piece representations. The processor is further configured to add attachment points and receiving points to the one or more puzzle piece representations. The processor is further configured to provide the one of more puzzle piece representations with attachment points and receiving points. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for editing an interactive dynamic illustration includes receiving a first input associated with a functional relationship between a first visual entity in the dynamic illustration and a second visual entity in the dynamic illustration, receiving a second input that associates a visual parameter of the first visual entity with the functional relationship, and receiving a third input that associates a visual parameter of the second visual entity with the functional relationship. The method further includes causing a graphical representation of the functional relationship to be displayed that visually links the first visual entity and the second visual entity. At least one advantage of the disclosed method is that a user can graphically define and/or modify interactive behavior of the visual elements of an interactive dynamic illustration without textually editing the software that generates the illustration.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a position-based dynamics (PBD) framework provides realistic modeling and simulation for elastic rods. In particular, the twisting and bending physics of elastic rods is incorporated into the PBD framework. In operation, an elastic rod model generator represents the center line of an elastic rod as a polyline of points connected via edges. For each edge, the elastic rod model generator adds a ghost point to define the orientation of a material frame that encodes the twist of the edge. Subsequently, a PBD simulator solves for positions of both points and ghost points that, together, represent the evolving position and torsion of the elastic rod. Advantageously, the ghost points enable more realistic animation of deformable objects (e.g., curly hair) than conventional PBD frameworks. Further, unlike force based methods, elastic rod simulation in the PBD framework performs acceptably in environments where speed is critical.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for joining meshes of primitives. The technique involves receiving a first mesh boundary and a second mesh boundary, removing a first surface associated with the first mesh boundary, and removing a second surface associated with the second mesh boundary. The technique further involves joining a first vertex associated with the first mesh boundary to a first plurality of vertices associated with the second mesh boundary to form a joined surface. Finally, the technique involves performing one or more mesh refinement passes on the joined surface to generate a refined mesh surface.

Abstract: A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides the capability of tapping a hotkey to activate and deactivate tools.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program products provides the ability to dynamically define and generate inlet spacing along a road in a building information model (BIM) computer aided design (CAD) three dimensional (3D) model. A representation of a road is acquired in the BIM CAD 3D model, wherein the representation includes a geometry. An inlet spacing is defined for the road. Inlet locations for inlets are determined based on the inlet spacing. A determination is made regarding whether the inlet spacing and inlets satisfy design rules for the road. When the inlet spacing and/or inlets fail to satisfy the design rules, a different inlet spacing is selected from a group of preset integers, and the process repeats until the design rules are satisfied.

Abstract: A system and method provide the ability to control an architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) project workflow. AEC data regarding a quality of construction is obtained. A set of classifiers and machine learning models are obtained. The AEC data is augmented based on the set of classifiers and machine learning models. A risk metric is generated for one or more issues in the AEC data based on the augmented AEC data. The risk metric is interactively generated and presented on a display device. Work, project resourcing, and/or training are prioritized based on the risk metric.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that updates rules for a plurality of entities in a simulation as the simulation is running is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives configuration parameters for the simulation, where the configuration parameters include a plurality of rules that control the interactions of the plurality of entities in the simulation. In addition, the device performs the simulation for a first plurality of iterations. Furthermore, the device analyzes the simulation results to determine if there is an update for the plurality of rules. If there is an update for the plurality of rules, the device creates the rule update for the plurality of rules. The device additionally applies the rule update to the plurality of rules.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention disclosed herein provides techniques for assisting with performing a task within a smart workspace environment. A smart workspace system includes a memory that includes a workspace management application. The smart workspace system further includes a processor that is coupled to the memory and, upon executing the workspace management application, is configured to perform various steps. The processor detects that a first step included in a plurality of steps associated with a task is being performed. The processor displays one or more information panels associated with performing the current step. The processor further communicates with augmented safety glasses, augmented tools, and an augmented toolkit to safely and efficiently through a series of steps to complete the task.

Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to modify a three-dimensional (3D) model in a shape editing system. The 3D model is obtained and faces of the model are selected as features (S). A subset (S?) of the model that are fixed are selected. Shape modification operations to be performed are prescribed. A deformation lattice is constructed by setting up a lattice structure with control points. Parametric space (u,v,w) is defined in terms of vertices of the lattice structure. Euclidean space (x,y,z) of the 3D model is mapped to the parametric space (u,v,w). The deformation lattice is evaluated by selecting control points, and either affine transformations are applied directly to the selected control points, or the deformation lattice is deformed based on a discrete fitting problem. The evaluated deformed model is then output.

Abstract: A multiscale data engine is configured to generate a three-dimensional (3D) environment based on a multiscale 3D dataset. The multiscale data engine is also configured to generate a spatial hierarchy within the 3D environment by selectively grouping 3D objects within the 3D environment. The multiscale data engine is further configured to identify specific 3D objects within the 3D environment in response to input received from an end-user and based on spatial properties associated with the 3D objects. The multiscale data engine is also configured to generate various navigation graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that allow the end-user to navigate the 3D environment.

Abstract: A network analysis engine is configured to generate a network timeline that represents time-varying connectivity between nodes of the network over a time interval. The network timeline includes a sequence of network snapshots that illustrate links between nodes at specific, sequential sub-intervals of time. The network analysis engine is configured to organize the network timeline in order to reveal certain characteristics of the nodes in the network and the network as a whole. Based on these characteristics, the network can be optimized to improve overall network operation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a double solve unit that configures a kinematic chain representing an animated character. The double solve unit generates a first solution for the kinematic chain based on a first solving order. While generating the first solution, the doubles solve unit determines the recursion depth of each output connector included in the kinematic chain. Subsequently, the double solve unit identifies any output connectors for which the recursion length exceeds a corresponding expected recursion depth—indicating that a custom recursive dependency exists that is not reflected in the first solution. For these custom recursive output connectors, the double solve unit creates a second solving order and generates a more accurate solution.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system provide the ability to detect an object framework in an image. A frame (of an image) is obtained. The image is pre-processed to smooth the image. Edges in the image are detected and an edge map is generated. Straight lines are detected from the detected edges in the edge map. One or more quadrangles are assembled from the detected straight lines. The quadrangles are sorted. One of the one or more quadrangles are selected based on the sorting. A selected quadrangle is returned to the user.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention disclosed herein provides techniques for controlling a movement training environment. A movement training system retrieves a movement object from a set of movement objects. The movement training system attains first motion capture data associated with a first user performing a movement based on the movement object. The movement training system generates a first articulable representation based on the first motion capture data. The movement training system compares at least one first joint position related to the first articulable representation with at least one second joint position related to a second articulable representation associated with the movement object. The movement training system calculates a first similarity score based on a difference between the at least one first joint position and the at least one second joint position.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system provide the ability to determine a validity of a file. A static image of a first version of the file is output. The outputting includes determining first identifying information that identifies the first version of the file, generating a first reference identifier that is associated with the first identifying information, storing the first reference identifier, and generating the static image that includes a visual representation of the first reference identifier. A second reference identifier (that is associated with second identifying information that identifies a second version of the file) is received. Based on the second identifying information, a determination is made regarding which version of the file is more recent. A validity or invalidity of the second version of the file is confirmed based on the determination.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, article of manufacture, and computer-readable storage medium provide the ability to merge multiple point cloud scans. A first raw scan file and a second raw scan file (each including multiple points) are imported. The scan files are segmented by extracting segments based on geometry in the scene. The segments are filtered. A set of candidate matching feature pairs are acquired by registering features from one scan to features from another scan.

Abstract: A method and system provide performance computing on a public grid. A computational mesh to solve a received engineering simulation (that has computations/processes) is computed. The mesh divides the CAD model up spatially into elements where conservation equations are formed. Mesh vertices identify nodes where field variables are defined. Each process owns a node/element and is assigned to a mesh partition. A solver application installed on each computer and each computer CPU spawns a thread to each CPU core. A matrix is assembled by each thread that computes numerical operators (that are stored as a coefficient matrix) that represent the conservation equations. The matrix is solved by solving the equations represented by the coefficient matrix. The solving yields field vectors that update the field variables at the nodes. The engineering solution is rendered based on the updated field variables.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, facilitate determining information about an object included in an image. In one aspect, a method includes: identifying an image; identifying a specific object included in the image; identifying data associated with the image; determining both a dimension of the specific object and a construction material of the specific object using the identified data; and outputting the dimension and the construction material of the specific object.