Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide access to architectural documents in a network based on-line web based system. Servers that are accessible from the Internet maintain persistent multiple architectural documents of different media types. An online user is provided, from the servers via the Internet, a set of basic virtual design tools that have persistent properties and may be copied. The virtual design tools may also be utilized to work with the architectural documents. A workspace is also provided for viewing, accessing, and modifying the architectural documents.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide access to architectural documents in a network based on-line web based system. Servers that are accessible from the Internet maintain persistent multiple architectural documents of different media types. An online user is provided, from the servers via the Internet, a set of basic virtual design tools that have persistent properties and may be copied. The virtual design tools may also be utilized to work with the architectural documents. A workspace is also provided for viewing, accessing, and modifying the architectural documents.

Abstract: An Internet-based design environment, implemented on a web server, for use by building, design, architectural, engineering, and construction personnel, wherein the design environment provides a graphical user interface having a virtual desktop (300) that resembles an architect's desk, wherein the virtual desktop provides a virtual workspace for storing design documents and a set of basic virtual design tools (304, 306) for use in sketching, drawing, modeling, creating, and editing the stored design documents in the virtual workspace. The design documents may comprise different media types (314) and are persistently maintained on the web server. The virtual design tools comprise graphical icons that resemble physical objects with similar virtual functionality to the resembled physical objects and may be moved around the virtual workspace.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, system, and article of manufacture for modifying a three-dimensional model. A composite three-dimensional model is displayed in a computer implemented solid modeling system. The composite model comprises a first primitive and a second primitive. A first face of the first primitive is selected. Once selected, a first boundary representation of the first primitive is modified using the selected first face. Thereafter, a second boundary representation of the second primitive is automatically modified based on the modification to the first boundary representation.

Abstract: An Internet-based design environment, implemented on a web server, for use by building, design, architectural, engineering, and construction personnel, wherein the design environment provides a graphical user interface having a virtual desktop (300) that resembles an architect's desk, wherein the virtual desktop provides a virtual workspace for storing design documents and a set of basic virtual design tools (304, 306) for use in sketching, drawing, modeling, creating, and editing the stored design documents in the virtual workspace. The design documents may comprise different media types (314) and are persistently maintained on the web server. The virtual design tools comprise graphical icons that resemble physical objects with similar virtual functionality to the resembled physical objects and may be moved around the virtual workspace.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, system, and article of manufacture for modifying a three-dimensional model. A composite three-dimensional model is displayed in a computer implemented solid modeling system. The composite model comprises a first primitive and a second primitive. A first face of the first primitive is selected. Once selected, a first boundary representation of the first primitive is modified using the selected first face. Thereafter, a second boundary representation of the second primitive is automatically modified based on the modification to the first boundary representation.

Abstract: A movement reference frame is provided on the display device relative to a displayed object. The movement reference frame has at least one object handle set visually provided on the display device. An image of the object is displaced from an original location along a displacement direction to a displaced location by dragging a handle of the object handle set in accordance with actuation of a user input device. The user input device can be utilized to obtain both (1) a number of copies of the displaced object which are to be generated, and (2) one of a distance and angle by which the number of copies of the displaced object are to be separated along the direction of displacement. In addition, the activation of the user input device can link the copy of the displaced object to the displayed object at the original location so that whatever action is taken with respect to either the copy or the original is also taken with respect to the other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for rotating a displayed object, the displayed object appearing on a screen of a display device of a three dimensional computer graphics system. When displayed object object appears on the display screen, a user input device (e.g., mouse) prompts the additional display of an object movement reference frame on the display screen. The object movement reference frame preferably takes the form of a spherical contour line and various "handles" which provide a user-friendly three dimensional spherical depiction. The object movement reference frame is preferably superimposed with respect to the displayed object. The "handles" of the object movement reference frame include a plurality of object image handles which are generally classified as planar handles and knob handles. A "handle set" is comprised of paired or connected object image handles, such as a knob handle connected by a radial connector to a planar handle.

Abstract: A method for rendering a three-dimensional image on a computer graphics display device involving the steps of providing a data base defining at least the geometry and reflectivity of light emitters and object in the scene and approximating surfaces of each object in the scene as patches in three dimensional space. Each patch is approximated as one or more elements defined by vertices. A source of irradiated light in the scene is selected and defined as a light source. Then, for each vertex, a form factor representing the fraction of light energy that arrives at the vertex from the source is determined by ray tracing from the vertex to the source. Radiosity is then determined at each vertex based on the form factors determined for each vertex. This process is repeated a selected number of times using a different light source each time. In this manner a plurality of radiosities are determined that collectively indicate the global illumination of the scene.

Abstract: A method for employing a hierarchical display list in global rendering comprises the steps of traversing the display list and extracting selected primitives and attributes. A bounding volume is defined for selected primitives, and data indicative of the selected primitives, attributes, and bounding volumes are stored in a global database. Global rendering may be performed by either ray tracing or radiosity based upon the data in the global database. In the event that global rendering is performed by radiosity, then a plurality of surface elements for each selected primitive is defined and also stored in the global data base. Shading attribute data for each of the surface elements is defined upon application of a radiosity rendering algorithm to the global database. An alternative display list may be defined from the global database, if desired.