Abstract: The described technology includes a depth ray shader stored in memory and executable to receive a depth map defining a depth in association with each pixel in a three-dimensional scene and define a color gradient between a first pixel value and a second pixel value, wherein each sequential step in the color gradient between the first pixel value and the second pixel is assigned to a corresponding depth of increasing magnitude relative to a reference point. The depth ray shader is further executable to provide an instruction to a graphics engine to cause the graphics engine to apply a depth ray layer to a select portion of the three-dimensional scene, the depth ray layer altering each pixel in the selected portion to assume a pixel value defined within the color gradient to correspond to a depth of the pixel specified by the depth map.

Abstract: The described technology includes a depth ray shader stored in memory and executable to receive a depth map defining a depth in association with each pixel in a three-dimensional scene and define a color gradient between a first pixel value and a second pixel value, wherein each sequential step in the color gradient between the first pixel value and the second pixel is assigned to a corresponding depth of increasing magnitude relative to a reference point. The depth ray shader is further executable to provide an instruction to a graphics engine to cause the graphics engine to apply a depth ray layer to a select portion of the three-dimensional scene, the depth ray layer altering each pixel in the selected portion to assume a pixel value defined within the color gradient to correspond to a depth of the pixel specified by the depth map.

Abstract: The described technology includes a depth ray shader stored in memory and executable to receive a depth map defining a depth in association with each pixel in a three-dimensional scene and define a color gradient between a first pixel value and a second pixel value, wherein each sequential step in the color gradient between the first pixel value and the second pixel is assigned to a corresponding depth of increasing magnitude relative to a reference point. The depth ray shader is further executable to provide an instruction to a graphics engine to cause the graphics engine to apply a depth ray layer to a select portion of the three-dimensional scene, the depth ray layer altering each pixel in the selected portion to assume a pixel value defined within the color gradient to correspond to a depth of the pixel specified by the depth map.

Abstract: The described technology includes a depth ray shader stored in memory and executable to receive a depth map defining a depth in association with each pixel in a three-dimensional scene and define a color gradient between a first pixel value and a second pixel value, wherein each sequential step in the color gradient between the first pixel value and the second pixel is assigned to a corresponding depth of increasing magnitude relative to a reference point. The depth ray shader is further executable to provide an instruction to a graphics engine to cause the graphics engine to apply a depth ray layer to a select portion of the three-dimensional scene, the depth ray layer altering each pixel in the selected portion to assume a pixel value defined within the color gradient to correspond to a depth of the pixel specified by the depth map.

Abstract: Techniques for managing transitions in a three-dimensional environment include rendering, on the displays, a first three-dimensional scene. An indication is received that the first three-dimensional scene is to be replaced with a second three-dimensional scene. Graphics data is received that is representative of a transition to the second three-dimensional scene. The first three-dimensional scene is transitioned to the second three-dimensional scene using the graphics data. Control of rendering the second three-dimensional scene is transitioned to a process configured to render the second three-dimensional scene.

Abstract: Techniques for managing transitions in a three-dimensional environment include rendering, on the displays, a first three-dimensional scene. An indication is received that the first three-dimensional scene is to be replaced with a second three-dimensional scene. Graphics data is received that is representative of a transition to the second three-dimensional scene. The first three-dimensional scene is transitioned to the second three-dimensional scene using the graphics data. Control of rendering the second three-dimensional scene is transitioned to a process configured to render the second three-dimensional scene.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that merge components on a design surface. The system receives input from a user to add components or clauses to a design surface and analyzes the components to determine if some of the components can be merged. If the system identifies components that can be merged, then the system merges the identified components to reduce the number of components present on the design surface. The system determines that some components can be merged if the components meet the same criteria, such as having components that are equivalent and that have the same number of incoming paths or the same number of outgoing paths. The system provides a visual indicator on the design surface to indicate that components are being merged. The system provides an undo feature to allow the user to undo the component merging when desired.

Abstract: A method for designing a data module presents a series of components in a parentage view of a window on a display, the parentage view being hierarchically arranged with each component occupying a respective position in the hierarchy. A user is enabled to drag one or more of the components displayed in the parentage view into a new position within the hierarchy. As a result, the relationship data among the components in the data module are automatically rearranged once the components are dropped into their respective new positions in the hierarchy.