Abstract: A method for traversing a streaming video file includes receiving a representative streaming video file that includes less information than a higher-resolution streaming video file and spans the entire streaming video file. Based on navigation information associated with the representative streaming video file, a playback engine navigates to a different portion of the streaming video file. The navigation information may be based on input information received from a viewer of the streaming video file. One advantage of the disclosed method is that it enables fast and accurate navigation of a streaming video.

Abstract: A stroke parameterization engine within a rendering engine is configured to map a texture to the surface of a three-dimensional (3D) model along a stroke defined by an end-user of the rendering engine. The stroke parameterization engine converts the stroke to a polyline, then generates a geodesic trace by sliding a geodesic circle along the polyline and collecting points associated with the 3D model that fall within the geodesic circle. The stroke parameterization engine then parameterizes points associated with the polyline and the geodesic trace using UV coordinates associated with a texture map, thereby generating UV coordinates for each point within the polyline and geodesic trace. The stroke parameterization engine then projects the texture map onto the surface of the 3D model using the UV coordinates generated for the polyline and geodesic trace.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention set forth a technique for animating objects placed across a surface of a graphics object. A CAD application receives a set of motions and initially applies a different motion in the set of motions to each object placed across the surface of the graphics object. The CAD application calculates bounding areas of each object according to the current motion applied thereto, which are subsequently used by the CAD application to identify collisions that are occurring or will occur between the objects. Identified collisions are cured by identifying valid motions in the set of motions that can be applied to a colliding object and then calculating bounding areas for the valid motions to select a valid motion that, when applied to the object, does not cause the object to collide with any other objects.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide the ability to render an animated creature in real-time. A creature diagram for a creature, having chains sections, is drawn. An effector is created for each section and each chain, and defines a target position and an orientation that is reached. A chain solving type is selected for the chains, and is used to simulate a desired biomechanical behavior of the creature. The creature diagram, including the sections, chains, and chain solving types, is mapped to a three-dimensional (3D) model. The creature is animated/rendered in a real-time 3D application based on the mapping.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product generates construction metrics. Building means, methods, and limitations of construction for one or more companies are gathered in a computer. A digital building information model (BIM) is acquired. Fabrication and construction parameters are extracted from the BIM. Construction metrics (for the BIM) are generated by combining the building means, methods, and limitations with the extracted fabrication and construction parameters. The construction metrics are then visualized in a modeling application and/or used to output construction process documentation.

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 or more embodiments of the invention provide a collaboration platform that permits multiple users to collaborate on multiple copies of a model simultaneously. The collaboration application provides a full set of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) tools for a client to manipulate a model and transmit the results of such manipulations to a server. Both the clients and the server maintain a history of the manipulations results. Once object changes are received by the server from one or more clients, the server distributes the object changes to the remaining clients. Thereafter, the clients modify their local version of the model in accordance with the object changes received from the server. The history maintained by the clients or the server may then be used to undo or redo any of the object changes, or to rebuild a model space in the event of a network failure.

Abstract: A method for generating real-time goal space steering for data-driven character animation is disclosed. A goal space table of sparse samplings of possible future locations is computed, indexed by the starting blend value and frame. A steer space is computed as a function of the current blend value and frame, interpolated from the nearest indices of the table lookup in the goal space. The steer space is then transformed to local coordinates of a character's position at the current frame. The steer space samples closest to a line connecting the character's position with the goal location may be selected. The blending values of the two selected steer space samples are interpolated to compute the new blending value to render subsequent frames of an animation sequence.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a data navigation engine that generates user interface navigation elements for navigation large and expanding datasets. The user interface navigation elements may include a pivot control zoom slider for adjusting the data resolution with respect to different zoom pivot locations, an interactive ruler for consistent visual feedback and navigation of intervals of data within the dataset, a context bar for viewing the data proximate to a current view, and a multi-scale slider for repositioning the dataset within the current view. These user interface navigation elements provide the end-user with consistent control and visual feedback while navigating the dataset, independent of the size of the dataset or the portion of the dataset displayed within the current view. Therefore, large and expanding datasets can be navigated more effectively relative to prior art approaches.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide the ability to dynamically generate a three-dimensional (3D) scene. A red green blue (RGB) image (in RGB color space) of the 3D scene is acquired. The RGB image is converted from RGB color space to a luminance (Y) and chrominance (UV) image in YUV color space (hat includes Y information and UV information). Reflectance information of the 3D scene is acquired from a laser scanner. Based on a blending function, the luminance information is blended with the reflectance information resulting in a blended YUV image. The blended YUV image is converted from YUV color space into RGB color space resulting in a blended RGB image that is output.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product provide the ability to render a line having line stylization/linetype pattern via texture mapping of a graphics processing unit (GPU). Linetype information for a pattern of a linetype for the line is acquired. The pattern is stored in a texture by encoding a type of element of the pattern and a texel center location. The GPU renders the line by computing a distance between a pixel of the line and the texel center location, determining if the distance exceeds a threshold, and rendering the pixel if the distance is within the threshold.

Abstract: A finger device initiates actions on a computer system when placed in contact with a surface. The finger device includes instrumentation that captures images and gestures. When in contact with a surface, the finger device captures images of the surface and gestures made on the surface. The finger device also transmits the images and gesture data to the computer system. An application on the computer system matches the images received from the finger device to a representation of the surface, identifies an action associated with the surface representation and gesture, and executes the action. Instrumenting the finger instead of the surface, allows a user to configure virtually any surface to accept touch input.

Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to design a (land) surface. A triangular surface mesh representative of an existing surface is obtained. The mesh includes triangles that are connected by vertices and edges. Design constraint sets are determined based design constraints. The design constraints include a maximum slope constraint for a first triangle of the two or more triangles in the triangular surface mesh. The maximum slope constraint is a maximum angle between a normal vector of the first triangle and a reference vector. Heights of the vertices of the first triangle are projected onto the design constraint sets such that the normal vector satisfies all of the design constraints. The projecting includes modifying the heights by a minimum Euclidian distance. A design of the surface represented by the triangular surface mesh is generated based on the projecting.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product provide the ability to extract level information and reference grid information from point cloud data. Point cloud data is obtained and organized into a three-dimensional structure of voxels. Potential boundary points are filtered from the boundary cells. Level information is extracted from a Z-axis histogram of the voxels positioned along the Z-axis of the three-dimensional voxel structure and further refined. Reference grid information is extracted from an X-axis histogram of the voxels positioned along the X-axis of the three-dimensional voxel structure and a Y-axis histogram of the voxels positioned along the Y-axis of the three-dimensional voxel structure and further refined.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a foldable beam generator produces a foldable beam polyline that approximates a three-dimensional (3D) space curve. The foldable beam generator optimizes the number and position of joints included in the foldable beam polyline to minimize differences between the foldable beam polyline and the 3D space curve while complying with one or more manufacturing constraints. Notably, the foldable beam generator designs each of the joints to act as a living hinge that closes to a fixed angle when heated and solidifies when cooled. By using the foldable beam polyline as a 3D digital model for manufacturing and subsequently applying heat to assemble the manufactured 3D object, defects and/or limitations of complex 3D objects typically associated with traditional manufacturing techniques may be reduced. In particular, support structures designed to buttress three-dimensional (3D) digital models during 3D printing may be minimized.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, facilitate the design and use of 3D printed auxetic structures. In one aspect, a system includes one or more computer storage media having instructions stored thereon; and one or more data processing apparatus configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including (i) receiving an input specifying a three dimensional (3D) model of a 3D structure that includes at least two different materials having a predefined arrangement with respect to each other to give the 3D structure a negative Poisson ratio, (ii) receiving an input regarding a change for the 3D structure, and (iii) modifying the predefined arrangement of the at least two different materials with respect to each other in response to the input regarding the change.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide the ability to ink a drawing. A coarse original sketch is loaded. User input drawing an initial stroke over the coarse original sketch is accepted. A stroke smoothness of the initial stroke is measured. A similarity between the initial stroke and the coarse original sketch is measured to determine a snap affect. The stroke smoothness and the snap affect are combined. The initial stroke is automatically/dynamically, without additional user input, modified based on the combination.

Abstract: A computing device for processing a video file. The video file comprises an audio track and contains at least one event comprising a scene of interest. One or more audio criteria that characterize the event are used to detect events using the audio track and an offset timestamp is recorded for each detected event. A set of offset timestamps may be produced for a set of detected events of the video file. The set of offset timestamps for the set of detected events may be used to time align and time adjust a set of real timestamps for a set of established events for the same video file. A user interface (UI) is provided that allows quick and easy search and playback of events of interest across multiple video files.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for determining 3D printing customizations for a user. One of the methods includes receiving data indicating a selection of a product design by a user for creation of a three-dimensional product that includes a plurality of attributes, determining a style which includes values for some of the plurality of attributes and that is associated with the user, for each of the plurality of attributes determining whether the style includes a value for the respective attribute, and upon determining that the style includes a value for the respective attribute, customizing the product design using the value for the respective attribute, or upon determining that the style does not include a value for the respective attribute, customizing the product design using a default value for the respective attribute, and providing data for the customized product design for the three-dimensional product.