Abstract: A method of collision detection is provided that allows for virtual objects having arbitrary shapes to be simulated with six degrees of freedom. The collision detection method is capable of providing full body contact by detecting each intersection between a representation of a first virtual object and a representation of a second virtual object. The full-body contact may be provided as haptic rendering signals indicating the full-body contact between the two virtual objects.

Abstract: A method of collision detection is provided that allows for virtual objects having arbitrary shapes to be simulated with six degrees of freedom. The collision detection method is capable of providing full body contact by detecting each intersection between a representation of a first virtual object and a representation of a second virtual object. The full-body contact may be provided as haptic rendering signals indicating the full-body contact between the two virtual objects.

Abstract: A technique is provided for utilizing a computer system to generate tool paths for the computed aided machining (CAM) in at least four axis of a selected workpiece or part, particularly a complex part having hidden surfaces. The technique involves storing in the computer system both a surface point representation of a workpiece, which representation contains a unique code for each surface point, and a representation of the tool for which the paths are to be generated. The workpiece surface is viewed from a discrete number of orientations and a map of surface points visible from each of the orientations is generated. The map is then used to obtain selected most promising access directions for access to voxels in the delta volume to be removed or for access to surface points for a finishing operation. Such most promising access directions may for example be obtained by thinning an access cone for the voxel/point.