Abstract: The present invention includes a novel way of specifying the possible configurations of a product and representing this compactly using offset transforms. The offset transforms make it possible to save just the basic 3D geometry and representing all the configuration options using offset transforms. This results in a significantly more compact representation as compared with a full representation of the various configurations. This means that a product with thousands of configuration options including animations can be represented using a compact file format where only the base 3D data is represented along with offset transforms to represent the various configuration options. This further makes it possible to easily transmit full configurations of a product and enables a viewer to view the configuration options by applying offset transforms to the original 3D model.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus that include a novel connection between a 3D raytracing application and an editing application to allow live editing of an image representing the lighting of a 3D model. Further embodiments include a novel pin control in the editing application that allows pin control of lighting of a specific portion of the lighting image and 3D model to adjust the intensity, color, and blur of the environment within a given region. The pins can also be used to copy regions of data from the lighting image to new locations. The pins can be placed either directly by clicking in the lighting image or by clicking on the 3D model in the raytracing application to indicate where the illumination should fall or reflect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus that include a novel way of automatically assigning materials to 3D CAD models. A predefined material template specifies that a particular part or material name is assigned to a particular material such that all instances of the particular part name are assigned or modified automatically by the material template. By having a consistent naming convention for the parts in the CAD file, this material assignment can be performed automatically when the CAD file is imported or viewed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus that combine a novel specialized software program and a novel viewing program. The novel software program creates one or more photorealistic images of a 3D model at various camera angles. The novel viewing program allows the user to view the photorealistic images interactively directly on a web browser without third party proprietary software plugins. Also, the viewing program provides a novel approach to changing the colors of objects, by changing them dynamically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus that include a novel way of automatically assigning materials to 3D CAD models. A predefined material template specifies that a particular part or material name is assigned to a particular material such that all instances of the particular part name are assigned or modified automatically by the material template. By having a consistent naming convention for the parts in the CAD file, this material assignment can be performed automatically when the CAD file is imported or viewed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus that include a novel connection between a 3D raytracing application and an editing application to allow live editing of an image representing the lighting of a 3D model. Further embodiments include a novel pin control in the editing application that allows pin control of lighting of a specific portion of the lighting image and 3D model to adjust the intensity, color, and blur of the environment within a given region. The pins can also be used to copy regions of data from the lighting image to new locations. The pins can be placed either directly by clicking in the lighting image or by clicking on the 3D model in the raytracing application to indicate where the illumination should fall or reflect.