Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for placing objects across a surface of a graphics object. The technique includes establishing a first plurality of grid points over the surface of the graphics object, wherein each grid point in the plurality of grid points is located either inside or outside the surface, establishing a second plurality of grid points that includes only grid points in the first plurality of grid points that are located inside the surface, marking each grid point in the second plurality of grid points as an eligible area or an ineligible area onto which objects can be placed, selecting from the second plurality of grid points a grid point that is marked as an eligible area, and placing an object onto the selected grid point.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for placing objects across a surface of a graphics object. The technique includes establishing a first plurality of grid points over the surface of the graphics object, wherein each grid point in the plurality of grid points is located either inside or outside the surface, establishing a second plurality of grid points that includes only grid points in the first plurality of grid points that are located inside the surface, marking each grid point in the second plurality of grid points as an eligible area or an ineligible area onto which objects can be placed, selecting from the second plurality of grid points a grid point that is marked as an eligible area, and placing an object onto the selected grid point.

Abstract: A method for projecting a data set from a first object to a second object includes the steps of defining one or more sub-objects, wherein each sub-object represents a portion of the second object, associating the first object with a first sub-object, expanding a projection cage to substantially encompass both the first sub-object and the first object, and transferring the data set from the first object to the first sub-object using the projection cage. The disclosed method advantageously allows the first sub-object to be defined in a way that avoids undesirable cage intersections, thereby enabling the data set from the first object to be transferred without tedious manual manipulations of the projection cage.

Abstract: A machine-readable definition of a three-dimensional scene is represented. A list of relationships between elements of the scene is generated, wherein each entry on said list identifies two elements and the nature of a relationship between the two elements. A displayable schematic representation of the scene is created in which elements of the scene are defined by nodes and relationships between the nodes are represented by links. Input data is received in response to displaying the list of relationships that identifies one of the relationships. A portion of the schematic representation is displayed showing the elements related by the relationship identified by the input data.

Abstract: A method for projecting a data set from a first object to a second object includes the steps of defining one or more sub-objects, wherein each sub-object represents a portion of the second object, associating the first object with a first sub-object, expanding a projection cage to substantially encompass both the first sub-object and the first object, and transferring the data set from the first object to the first sub-object using the projection cage. The disclosed method advantageously allows the first sub-object to be defined in a way that avoids undesirable cage intersections, thereby enabling the data set from the first object to be transferred without tedious manual manipulations of the projection cage.

Abstract: A method for constructing mapping coordinates for a high-resolution graphics model includes the steps of expanding a projection cage to substantially encompass both a low-resolution graphics model and the high-resolution graphics model, and defining a volume that extends from a polygon of the projection cage through a corresponding polygon of the low-resolution graphics model. The method also includes the steps of determining points within an area on a surface of the high-resolution graphics model defined by an intersection of the volume and the high-resolution model, and, for each point where the corresponding polygon is the closest polygon of the low-resolution graphics model to the point, projecting the point to the corresponding polygon to define a projection point on the corresponding polygon.

Abstract: A machine-readable definition of a three-dimensional scene is represented. A list of relationships between elements of the scene is generated, wherein each entry on said list identifies two elements and the nature of a relationship between the two elements. A displayable schematic representation of the scene is created in which elements of the scene are defined by nodes and relationships between the nodes are represented by links. Input data is received in response to displaying the list of relationships that identifies one of the relationships. A portion of the schematic representation is displayed showing the elements related by the relationship identified by the input data.