Abstract: System and method for constructing a 3D model of an object based on a series of silhouette and texture map images. In the exemplary embodiment an object is placed on a rotating turntable and a camera, which is stationary, captures images of the object as it rotates on the turntable. In one pass, the system captures a number of photographic images that will be processed into image silhouettes. In a second pass, the system gathers texture data. After a calibration procedure (used to determine the camera's focal length and the turntable's axis of rotation), a silhouette processing module determines a set of two-dimensional polygon shapes (silhouette contour polygons) that describe the contours of the object. The system uses the silhouette contour polygons to create a 3D polygonal mesh model of the object. The system determines the shape of the 3D model analytically-by finding the areas of intersection between the edges of the model faces and the edges of the silhouette contour polygons.

Abstract: An efficient method and system for displaying integrated transparent objects and animation with a window, such as an Internet Web page is described. The present invention implements a plugin-control, such as a Netscape plugin or ActiveX control, in the host program, such as a Web browser, wherein the plugin-control provides at least one graphics buffer in addition to the buffers used by the host program. The plugin-control can function according to the host program Application Programming Interface (API) for the plugin-control under which the at least one additional buffer is used to composite a “compositing plane” containing the transparent objects and animation with the host program window and where the resulting composited scene is returned to the host program buffers as part of the regular host program draw pipe. Additionally, the host program API may be circumvented and the resulting composited scene may be written directly to the front buffer for display on the display device.

Abstract: A system and method for the rapid creation of an optimized mesh model of a real world object, terrain or other three-dimensional surface. The mesh construction technique provides dynamic “up resolution/down resolution” mesh construction capabilities. The system inserts points into the mesh incrementally, ordering the points before each insertion so that dynamic resolution construction can be maintained. The point ordering process determines the distance each point has from the surface of a given mesh configuration such that the next point added will always be the point bringing the most significant detail to the mesh. This procedure of “optimal simplification” optimizes the mesh by guaranteeing the fewest number of points for the most detail at any given resolution.

Abstract: A system and method for the rapid creation of an optimized mesh model of a real world object, terrain or other three-dimensional surface. The mesh construction technique provides dynamic “up resolution/down resolution” mesh construction capabilities. The system inserts points into the mesh incrementally, ordering the points before each insertion so that dynamic resolution construction can be maintained. The point ordering process determines the distance each point has from the surface of a given mesh configuration such that the next point added will always be the point bringing the most significant detail to the mesh. This procedure of “optimal simplification” optimizes the mesh by guaranteeing the fewest number of points for the most detail at any given resolution.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method for refining of mesh model of a three-dimensional (3D) object or surface through adaptive subdivision that results in a smooth interpolation of the mesh surface. In one example, the system operates upon a triangulated mesh model and analyzes each edge of the triangle in question to determine whether that particular edge should be subdivided based on a predetermined subdivision criteria. After an analysis of each of the edges of that triangle (using the adaptive subdivision criteria) the system and method may make one of several different types of subdivisions—e.g. dividing the mesh triangle into two, three or four smaller triangles.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates viewing, organizing, and optimizing Internet sites. A multi-dimensional virtual environment includes one or more respective virtual sites for each Internet site. Users are given the ability to explore the virtual environment and access Internet site data and services via respective virtual site(s). Transfer of data related to an Internet and virtual site includes assigning a transfer priority to each virtual site based on the user's location within the virtual environment, and transferring data based on the assigned priority. Users are provided with the ability to lease portions of the virtual environment, to create and modify the appearance and functionality of virtual sites on leased portions, to assign Internet site data and services to virtual sites, and to relocate virtual sites within the virtual environment.