Abstract: A computer-implemented system (10) providing a three-dimensional display (30) includes at least one model (12) of an environment and at least one engine (14) operable to generate the display (30) using information associated with the model (12). The display (30) includes a graphical body (38) conveying a first value corresponding to a value of a variable, the variable value being identified according to an axis. The first value is conveyed according to a height (40) of the graphical body (38) at the variable value. The graphical body (38) conveys a second value corresponding to the variable value, the second value being conveyed according to a depth (42) of the graphical body (38) at the variable value. The graphical body (38) also conveys at least a comparison of the first value to a first comparison value according to an indicia (44) that is visible on the graphical body (38) at the variable value, the indicia (44) specified according to a predetermined scale.

Abstract: A method of displaying a production schedule in three dimensions. Time periods are displayed along an x-axis. Within each time period, an available-capacity rectangle has a width that is all or part of the width of the time period, such that the width represents the proportion of that time period during which capacity is available. Capacity-consuming rectangles are layered on top of the available-capacity rectangles, and include setup rectangles and production rectangles. The width of these rectangles represents the proportion of capacity consumed. The height of production rectangles represents production volume. Cost rectangles may be placed in front of the capacity consuming rectangles, and have a depth that represents relative monetary cost.