JP3143006B2 - Multi-dimensional image manipulation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to moving a graphic in a multidimensional virtual space in a graphic design such as a design design, a mechanical design or a computer graphic for editing a three-dimensional image with the support of a computer. The present invention relates to a multidimensional image manipulation device that is deformed, and in particular, has improved operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional systems for editing three-dimensional figures such as CAD and computer graphics (CG) require:
Image editing by specifying a three-dimensional figure projected on a two-dimensional screen such as a CRT or a plasma display with a two-dimensional cursor that moves on the two-dimensional screen in conjunction with operation of a two-dimensional input device such as a mouse or tablet Was doing.

Therefore, in order to rotate or move the three-dimensional figure in the depth direction, it is necessary to perform a plurality of operations in combination, such as moving the two-dimensional input device in a predetermined direction while pressing an arbitrary key on a keyboard. is there. Unlike intuitive and direct object operations, such as grasping an object and moving it, which are routinely performed, such operations are performed after combining logical operations in the head. Since it must be moved, it has been difficult to move the figure as intended by the operator.

[0004] In order to facilitate editing of a three-dimensional figure, an operating device that uses a three-dimensional input device capable of controlling the speed and direction and moves in a virtual space by designating the figure with a three-dimensional cursor linked thereto. (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 62)
-269277, JP-A-63-52266).

As shown in FIG. 12, this device has a three-dimensional input device 51 having a direction lever 52 and a speed lever 53.
It has. The operator moves the three-dimensional cursor 57 in the virtual three-dimensional space projected on the display device 56 using the direction lever 52 and the speed lever 53 of the three-dimensional input device 51. From the tip of the three-dimensional cursor 57, a radial figure 58 for selecting an object is displayed in the direction of the velocity vector (traveling direction). The radial graphic for instruction may be a half line 48 as shown in FIG.

An operator operates a three-dimensional cursor 57 on the screen to bring a radial figure 58 into contact with a cube 59 to be designated, or to place a cube inside the radial figure 58.
Insert 59. Next, by pressing the input instruction switch 55 of the three-dimensional input device 51, a cube 59 to be specified is selected.

[0007] However, as shown in FIG.
When 58 is in contact with both cubes 59 and 60, the operator uses the selection instruction switch 54 provided on the directional lever 52 of the three-dimensional input device 51 to select the selection candidate object. Choose the one you want. For example, every time the selection instruction switch 54 is pressed, as shown in operation screen examples 49 and 50 in FIG. 14, the target objects that are in contact with the radial graphic 58 are highlighted in the order closer to the three-dimensional cursor. The operator selects the target by pressing the input instruction switch 55 when the desired target is highlighted.

After the selection, the three-dimensional input device 51
By operating the dimensional cursor 57, the selected object is moved. This movement is performed while maintaining the spatial positional relationship between the radial graphic 58 and the selection target 59 at the time of completion of the selection instruction, as shown in FIG.

When the selected object being moved is arranged at an arbitrary position, the input instruction switch 55 is pressed again. As a result, as shown in FIG.
Is disconnected, and the selected object is fixed at that position.

This device, as shown in FIG. 17, has an input device interface 62 connected to a three-dimensional input device 51, and a control / calculation section 63 for controlling each block and performing various calculations.
A three-dimensional figure shape / position data storage unit 64 for storing geometric data of a cube and a pointing radial figure, and a three-dimensional cursor / pointing figure drawing result storage unit 66 for storing drawing data of a three-dimensional cursor and a radial figure. A three-dimensional graphic processing result storage unit 65 for storing drawing data of a three-dimensional graphic other than the three-dimensional cursor and the radial graphic; position data and velocity vector data of the three-dimensional cursor and the radial graphic; A three-dimensional cursor / pointing figure parameter storage unit 67 for storing the ID, a three-dimensional cursor / pointing figure display control unit 69 for generating a display signal for displaying the three-dimensional cursor and the radial figure, and a three-dimensional cursor And a three-dimensional graphic display control unit 68 for generating a display signal for displaying a cube other than the radial graphic, Dimension graphic display control unit 68 and the 3
Each processing block includes a display control unit 70 that combines the signals generated by the dimensional cursor / instruction graphic display control unit 69 and sends them to the display unit.

In this apparatus, the following processing is performed to move the three-dimensional cursor and the radial figure.

First, direction vector data (Dx, Dy, Dz) and velocity value data (V
d) is input to the control / calculation unit 63 via the input device interface 62. The control / calculation unit 63 calculates speed vector data of the three-dimensional cursor based on the direction vector data and the speed value data, and the speed vector data and the three-dimensional cursor / pointing figure parameter storage unit 67 are recorded. Current 3D cursor position data (P
x, Py, Pz), a new spatial position of the three-dimensional cursor is calculated. Then, the position data and velocity vector data recorded in the three-dimensional cursor / instruction graphic parameter storage unit 67 are updated.

Further, the control / arithmetic unit 63 obtains the position data and velocity vector data of the three-dimensional cursor obtained from the three-dimensional cursor / pointing figure parameter storage unit 67 and the three-dimensional figure shape / position data storage unit 64. Based on the three-dimensional cursor and the geometric data of the radial figure, it is always calculated which three-dimensional object the pointing radial figure is in contact with, and the IDs of all the touching figures are displayed in the three-dimensional cursor. It is recorded in the instruction graphic parameter storage section 67. At the same time, the 3D cursor and the radial figure are moved and redrawn to the new space position, and the dot information is transferred to the 3D cursor /
The instruction graphic drawing result storage unit 66 (image buffer 2) is written.

3D cursor / instruction graphic display control unit 69
Scans the three-dimensional cursor / instruction graphic drawing result storage unit 66 and converts it into a display signal. The display control unit 70 draws the three-dimensional cursor moved to the new position and the drawing display signal of the pointing radial figure, and draws the three-dimensional cursor and the three-dimensional figure other than the radial figure received from the three-dimensional figure display control unit 68. Display signal (the three-dimensional graphic display control unit 68
After synthesizing the three-dimensional cursor and the drawing data of the three-dimensional graphic other than the radial graphic stored in the three-dimensional graphic processing result storage unit 65 (image buffer 1) into a display signal, the resultant is sent to the display device, and the screen is displayed. Projected on.

The following processing is performed in response to a selection instruction request from the three-dimensional input device 51, and an object is selected and moved.

When the selection instruction switch of the three-dimensional input device 51 is pressed, a request signal for sequentially highlighting the selection candidate objects is controlled via the input device interface 62.
It is input to the calculation unit 63. Upon receiving this request, the control / arithmetic unit 63 makes the figure I which is currently in contact with the instructional radial figure
The D group (in some cases) is read from the three-dimensional cursor / pointing figure parameter storage unit 67, and the shape / position data of the figure corresponding to the figure ID is read from the three-dimensional figure shape / position data storage unit 64. Then the shape of this figure
Based on the position data, a figure closest to the tip of the three-dimensional cursor is extracted by calculation, and the drawing data is written to the three-dimensional figure processing result storage unit 65. Thus, the closest figure is highlighted. Here, when the selection instruction switch of the three-dimensional input device 51 is pressed again, the next figure close to the tip of the three-dimensional cursor is extracted and highlighted by the same processing as described above.

When the input instruction switch of the three-dimensional input device 51 is depressed in a state where the figure is highlighted, the control / calculation unit 63 displays the highlighted figure ID and the 3D at this time.
By storing the data of the three-dimensional cursor position and the radial graphic position data in the three-dimensional cursor / pointing graphic parameter storage unit 67, the positional relationship between the three-dimensional cursor, the pointing radial graphic and the selected three-dimensional object at the time of selection is obtained. Save.

Thereafter, the control / arithmetic unit 63 determines the selected 3D shape stored in the 3D graphic shape / position data storage unit 64 according to the direction vector and the velocity vector value input from the 3D input device 51. The position data of the three-dimensional cursor and the position data of the three-dimensional cursor and the radial graphic for instruction stored in the three-dimensional cursor / pointing graphic parameter storage unit 67 are updated, and the drawing data reflecting the updated results is three-dimensionally updated. The result is stored in the figure processing result storage unit 65 and the three-dimensional cursor / instruction figure drawing result storage unit 66. as a result,
A three-dimensional cursor and a figure moved by the pointing radial figure are displayed.

When an arbitrary three-dimensional figure is selected,
When an input instruction signal is output from the three-dimensional input device 51 to the control / calculation unit 63 via the input device interface 62, the selected graphic ID in the three-dimensional cursor / instruction graphic parameter storage unit 67 is reset, and the three-dimensional The process of updating the position data in the figure shape / position data storage unit 64 is interrupted. As a result, the selected figure is separated from the three-dimensional cursor and the pointing radial figure, and is fixed at that position.

[0020]

However, the conventional multi-dimensional image manipulation device having the above-described configuration has the following problems.

First, there are problems in the operation of the three-dimensional cursor and its pointing figure. (1) A figure (radial figure such as a half line or a cone) for pointing an object is displayed according to the velocity vector of the three-dimensional cursor. In the state where the three-dimensional cursor is stationary (speed 0), it is impossible to display a half line or an instruction figure. In addition, since the pointing graphic appears in the moving direction of the three-dimensional cursor, the three-dimensional cursor cannot be slid sideways or moved back while the direction of the pointing graphic is fixed. Becomes difficult.

(2) In the method of displaying the pointing graphic in the conventional apparatus, the three-dimensional cursor must always be moved in the forward direction. Therefore, when pointing to an object on the opposite side of the three-dimensional cursor moving direction, As in the case where the airplane changes direction in the air, a turning operation is required, and the instruction operation takes time.

(3) Since the three-dimensional cursor is controlled by the direction vector and the speed value from the input device, a plurality of logical operations are performed in the head, such as when a model airplane is controlled by a radio control device. And skill is required for the operation. The points are raised.

[0024] Problems with the instructions are as follows: (4) Even if there is no instruction request, interference between the figure for instruction (semi-straight line, cone, etc.) and the object is always checked, and Computational cost increases.

(5) It is difficult to select an object located inside or on the back of the object because the state of contact with the radial graphic for instruction cannot be visually recognized on the screen.

(6) Since the target object is pointed by the pointing graphic starting from the tip of the three-dimensional cursor, the pointing graphic moves largely by a slight movement of the three-dimensional cursor at a position far from the three-dimensional cursor. Therefore, it is difficult to indicate a distant object or a small object. The points are raised.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, in which the operation of the three-dimensional cursor is easy, and the selection candidate object and the positional relationship of the three-dimensional cursor with respect to the object can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner. It is possible to easily select an object hidden behind or inside an object or a small object, and quickly and easily move the selected object to a spatial position desired by the operator. It is an object to provide a three-dimensional image manipulation device.

[0028]

Therefore, according to the present invention, in a multi-dimensional image operation apparatus for selecting and moving an object located in a three-dimensional virtual space displayed in an operation window, a three-dimensional image operation device is provided in the operation window. Cursor display means for displaying a movable three-dimensional cursor, visual field shape display means for displaying a visual field area visible in front of the three-dimensional cursor by a three-dimensional shape coupled to the tip of the three-dimensional cursor, and three-dimensional image reflected in the visual field area View area display means for displaying the virtual space in the view window using a part of the operation window,
Selection index display means for displaying a selection index in a view window is provided, an object displayed in the view window is selected by the selection index, and a relationship between the selected object, a three-dimensional shape representing a view area, and a three-dimensional cursor. The selected object is moved by moving the three-dimensional cursor while holding.

An origin designating means for designating an origin position of the operation space and an input means for inputting a position and a direction in the operation space are provided, and a three-dimensional cursor of the three-dimensional cursor is provided based on the position and the direction of the input means with respect to the origin. The position and the direction in the virtual space are set.

In order to identify the selected object, there is provided a selection discriminating means for calculating an intersection between the object displayed in the field of view window and the selection index.

The selection determining means is configured to perform the intersection calculation only when the operation of the selection request is performed.

Further, display data in the view window is created in the view area display means based on the position and shape data of all objects in the three-dimensional virtual space and the position and direction data of the three-dimensional shape representing the view area. Data creation means is provided.

Further, it is possible to switch so that the selection index is linked to the movement of the input means instead of the three-dimensional cursor.

Further, there is provided a view window moving display means for changing the display position of the view window in the operation window in accordance with the movement of the three-dimensional cursor.

Further, there is provided a view window erasing means for erasing the view window after an object is selected.

[0036]

For this reason, the view window displayed in a part of the operation window reflects the view when viewing the three-dimensional virtual space from the tip of the three-dimensional cursor. The operator performs a selection operation while matching the selection index with the object to be selected while looking at the viewing window. By this operation, the relationship between the selected object and the three-dimensional cursor is fixed via the three-dimensional figure displaying the visual field. Therefore, the operator can move the selected object to a desired position in the three-dimensional virtual space by moving the three-dimensional cursor.

The three-dimensional cursor moves in the three-dimensional virtual space in one-to-one correspondence with the position and direction of the input means in the operation space. By manipulating the input means and placing the three-dimensional cursor at a position behind or inside the object placed in the three-dimensional virtual space, a portion hidden by the object is displayed in the view window. Therefore, it is possible to add the object existing in such a part to the selection target.

The intersection calculation between the selection index and the object, which is performed to identify the selected object, is executed only when a selection operation is performed by the operator. Therefore, the calculation cost is reduced as compared with the method of always performing the calculation.

When the movement of the input means and the movement of the three-dimensional cursor are separated and the selection index is switched so as to be linked with the input means, the landscape reflected in the view window is fixed. Can be moved. Therefore, it is possible to select a target object from the fixed landscape in detail, and the selection operation is facilitated.

When the display position of the view window is moved in accordance with the movement of the three-dimensional cursor, the view window is displayed near the object to be selected on the operation window. Since it is not necessary to greatly change the line of sight, the selection operation becomes easy.

Further, by erasing the view window at the stage when the operation of selecting the object is completed, the operation of moving the object becomes easier.

[0042]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) Regarding changes on the display screen when the multi-dimensional image manipulation device in the first embodiment of the present invention is operated,
First, a description will be given.

As shown in FIG. 1, a hexagonal prism 8 and a rectangular parallelepiped
And a triangular prism 10, a three-dimensional cursor 6, and a semi-transparent viewing area shape 7 positioned on an extension of the front thereof, and a view inside the viewing area shape 7 is indicated by the viewing shape. Is displayed in the visual field window 11 according to. The visual field shape is visualization of a projection parameter, and in this embodiment, the visual field shape is set to a quadrangular pyramid.
In this case, an image represented by the perspective projection method is displayed in the visual field window 11. In addition, when the shape of the visual field is set to a rectangular parallelepiped, an image represented by the parallel projection method is displayed in the visual field window 11.

The visual field window 11 displays a selection index 12 with a scale in a cross shape and a landscape in the visual field for selection area shape 7.

The three-dimensional cursor 6 moves on the operation window 5 in conjunction with the absolute movement of the three-dimensional position / direction input device 2 having the command button 3 in the real space. The three-dimensional position / direction input device 2 is connected to a three-dimensional input device control device 1, which is a main body of the multidimensional image operation device, together with an input device origin position indicating device 4 indicating an operation origin of the operation space. The absolute movement of the position / direction input device 2 is obtained from the positional relationship with the input device origin position indicating device 4. The positional relationship between the three-dimensional position / direction input device 2 and the input device origin position indicating device 4 is detected using magnetism, light, sound, or the like.

FIG. 2 shows a case where the three-dimensional position / direction input device 2 is moved to move the visual field region shape 7 on the screen in order to display another selected candidate object in the visual field window 11. . At this time, three selection candidate objects 8, 9, and 10 are displayed in the view window. Here, when the command input device button 3 is pressed, the object 9 that intersects with the designated point of the selection index (the center point of the cross in the first embodiment) is selected.

FIG. 3 shows a method of moving the object after the selection is confirmed. The three-dimensional cursor 6 and the visual field region shape 7 when the selection is confirmed and the spatial positional relationship of the selection object 9 are held. You can move.

FIG. 4 shows a state where the movement of the moving object is stopped. When the three-dimensional position / direction input device 3 is pressed again, the link between the object, the three-dimensional cursor 6 and the visual field shape 7 is released, and the object 9 is fixed at that position.

As shown in FIG. 5, the multi-dimensional image operation apparatus of the first embodiment for performing such operations includes, as processing means (operation means) for performing an operation of moving the three-dimensional cursor and the shape of the visual field for selection. An input device indicating the operation origin of the actual work space; an origin position specifying device 4; a three-dimensional position / direction input device 2 for inputting three-dimensional position / direction data operated by an operator; A three-dimensional input device control unit 23 that generates spatial position / direction data of the input device from a relationship with the three-dimensional position / direction input device 2 and a position / direction data obtained from the three-dimensional input device control unit 23 Calculate the position coordinate value and direction vector of the three-dimensional virtual space 3
3D position / direction measurement unit 27 and 3D position / direction measurement unit 27
A three-dimensional cursor movement calculator 28 for calculating a new position and direction of the three-dimensional cursor in the three-dimensional virtual space based on the three-dimensional position and direction data obtained from the display, and display attributes such as the shape and color of the three-dimensional cursor Data and 3D cursor movement calculator
A three-dimensional cursor shape / position recording unit 29 for recording the calculated position data of the new three-dimensional cursor 28; a visual field region movement calculating unit 33 for calculating the moving position of a new visual region shape following the movement of the three-dimensional cursor; And a viewing area shape / parameter recording unit 34 for recording the shape and position data of the viewing area in the operation window, the size and screen position data of the viewing window, and the shape data of the selection index.

Further, as a processing means (object selection moving means) for confirming and selecting and moving an object captured in the shape of the visual field for instruction in the visual field window, the operator inputs a request for selecting an object or the like. Command input device 24 and command input device 24
Command input device control unit 25 that receives a request signal from the system and changes it to data that can be understood by the system, and interprets command data from the command input device control unit 25 to process instructions such as object selection and object movement Command determination / control unit 26
And an object that intersects with the selection index in the field of view window according to an instruction from the instruction determination / control unit 26, and a selection object determination unit 30 that holds the ID, and calculates a new movement position of the selection object And an object shape position recording unit 32 that records the shape, position data, and display attribute data of each object.

As a processing means (display means) for displaying the operation result on the display device, a visual field window drawing section 35 for generating a selection index in the visual field window and display data of an object in the visual field area, An operation window drawing unit 36 for generating display data for drawing a three-dimensional cursor, a view area shape, and all objects, and display data of the operation window drawing unit 36 and the view window drawing unit 35 are synthesized and displayed on the display device 38. A display control unit 37 converts the display signal into a display signal for projection, and a display device 38 that receives a display signal from the display control unit 37 and projects an image on a display device such as a CRT. The arrows in FIG. 5 indicate the flow of signals and data.

In this apparatus, the process of moving the three-dimensional cursor and the shape of the visual field region is performed as follows.

When the operator operates the three-dimensional position / direction input device 2, the result is displayed as needed on the three-dimensional input device control unit 23.
Are converted into spatial position and direction data handled in a three-dimensional virtual space. Receiving this data, the three-dimensional cursor movement calculator 28 calculates a new position and direction of the three-dimensional cursor, and stores the result in the three-dimensional cursor shape / position recorder.
Record at 29.

At the same time, the viewing area movement calculating section 33
The movement position of the visual field region shape located in the forward direction of the three-dimensional cursor is calculated based on the three-dimensional cursor position / direction data obtained from the three-dimensional cursor shape / position recording unit 29, and the visual field region shape / parameter recording unit 34 is calculated. To record.

On the other hand, the operation window drawing unit 36 and the visual field window drawing unit 35 are based on the data of the three-dimensional cursor shape / position recording unit 29, the visual field region shape / parameter recording unit 34, and the object shape position recording unit 32. The display data in the operation window or the view window is created, respectively. Then, an image represented by these data is displayed on the display device 38 via the display control unit 37.

By such processing, the operation window displays the object, the three-dimensional cursor, and the shape of the visual field that moves in accordance with the movement of the three-dimensional cursor, and the visual field window displays the shape of the visual field. The changing scenery inside the scenery is displayed according to the movement, and the selected objects entering the scenery are visually clearly displayed.

Next, processing for selecting and moving an object is as follows.
It is performed as follows. When the operator issues a request to select an object from the command input device 24, the selection request is sent to the command determination / control unit 26 via the command input device control unit 25,
Then, the content of the request is determined. The selection target determination unit 30 that has received the instruction of the selection request from the instruction determination / control unit 26 that has determined the request content, transmits the viewpoint / view data and the selection index of the viewing region shape in the operation window from the viewing region shape / parameter recording unit 34. The shape data is obtained, and the shape and position data of each object are obtained from the object shape position recording unit 32, and the object that intersects with the selection index in the view window is obtained by calculation. If there is an object that intersects with the selection index, the object ID data is held in the selected object identification unit 30.

After the selection is confirmed, the selected object ID data is passed to the selected object movement calculating section 31, and the selected object moving calculating section 31 converts the new spatial position of the object into a three-dimensional cursor shape / shape. Calculation is performed based on the position data of the three-dimensional cursor obtained from the position recording unit 29, and the old spatial position data of the object shape position recording unit 32 is updated. In this way, by making the moving amount of the object parallel to the moving amount of the three-dimensional cursor and the shape of the visual field region, the spatial positional relationship between the three-dimensional cursor, the shape of the visual field region and the selected object at the time of selection is maintained. The object is moved in the state.

When relocating the moving selected object to the moved position, a command to stop the movement is issued from the command discriminating / control unit 26 that has discriminated the contents requested by the operator. The selection target discriminating unit 30 stores the selection target I
D is deleted, and at the same time, a command to stop the selection object movement calculation is issued to the selection object movement calculation unit 31. As a result, the movement of the three-dimensional cursor and the shape of the visual field is separated from the selected object, and the selected object is fixed on the spot.

During these operations, the operation window drawing unit
The three-dimensional cursor shape / position recording unit 29 and the visual field region shape / parameter recording unit 34
Alternatively, display data in each window is created from the data of the object shape position recording unit 32, and each process of the operation is displayed on the display device.

As is clear from the above description, in the device of the first embodiment, the position and the orientation of the three-dimensional cursor in the three-dimensional virtual space are determined by the three-dimensional position and the three-dimensional position in the real operation space.
One-to-one correspondence with the position and orientation of the direction input device. 3
If the 3D position / direction input device is shifted in the horizontal direction, the 3D cursor is also shifted in the horizontal direction, and if the 3D position / direction input device is turned at a fixed position, the 3D cursor is also changed direction. I do. Further, the shape of the visual field region for selecting the object is always displayed in front of the three-dimensional cursor in the three-dimensional virtual space. Therefore, by shifting or backing the three-dimensional cursor horizontally, the shape of the visual field area can be moved in the horizontal direction and back, without changing the direction of the three-dimensional cursor.

As described above, when the operator moves the three-dimensional position / direction input device in the actual operation space, the three-dimensional position / direction input device follows the movement.
Since the three-dimensional cursor in the three-dimensional virtual space moves in a one-to-one relationship with the shape of the visual field region located in front of the three-dimensional cursor, the operation of the three-dimensional cursor and the shape of the visual field region is performed by the conventional speed and direction vector values. Compared with the method of moving the dimensional cursor and the radial graphic for selection, the operation is extremely easy and the operation can be performed at high speed.

In the apparatus of the first embodiment, the object in the operation window is viewed from another field of view, and the object reflected in this field of view is displayed in another window (field of view window), and the object is included in the field of view. Objects are selected from among the objects. Therefore, it is possible to select an object behind or inside an object, which is not possible with the conventional selection method.

Further, in the apparatus of the first embodiment, the two-dimensional intersection judgment between the selection index (point) for specifying the selection target object and the target object is performed when a selection request is made by the operator. Only executed. Therefore, the calculation cost for selecting an object can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional method of constantly calculating the interference between the radial pattern for selection and the object.

(Second Embodiment) In a multidimensional image manipulation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS.
By double-clicking the instruction button 3 of the three-dimensional input device 2, the link between the three-dimensional input device 2 and the three-dimensional cursor 6 is disconnected, and the visual field shown in the visual field window is fixed. At the same time, this double click causes the selection index 12 in the view window to be linked with the three-dimensional input device 2, and when the three-dimensional input device 2 is moved, as shown in FIG. The indicator 12 moves on the window screen.

The designated point (selection index point) of the selection index 12 in FIG. 6 matches the cube located at the center of the viewing window, but the three-dimensional input device 2 is moved in the direction of arrow 14 as shown in FIG. Then, the selection index moves linearly from the state of 12 to the state of 13, and the selection index point indicates a hexagonal prism.

As described above, in the apparatus of the second embodiment, the objects are arbitrarily selected one by one from the plurality of selection candidate objects captured in the visual field having the visual field shape while the visual field is fixed. be able to. Therefore, even a small object or a distant object can be easily and quickly selected as long as it is captured in the visual field of the visual field region shape. Further, it is possible to simultaneously designate a plurality of selection candidate objects displayed in the view window.

The multi-dimensional image manipulation device according to the second embodiment
As shown in FIG. 8, a selection index movement calculation section 39 for calculating the movement amount of the selection index point in the view window, a selection index position recording section 40 for recording the position of the selection index point, and An instruction line-of-sight correction calculation unit 41 that performs a correction calculation for selecting an object in response to the instruction. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 5).

In this apparatus, when the instruction discrimination / control section 26 judges a double click from the instruction input apparatus, the processing of the three-dimensional cursor movement calculation section 28 is stopped and the processing is switched to the processing of the selection index movement calculation section 39. Thus, the movement of the three-dimensional cursor and the shape of the visual field on the screen stops. Based on the three-dimensional position data obtained from the three-dimensional position / direction measurement unit 27, the selection index movement calculation unit 39 calculates the amount of movement of the selection index in the view window, and stores the selection index shape / position recording unit.
Record the position of the newly selected index point at 40. Thus, the selection index in the view window can be moved on the window screen by following the movement of the three-dimensional position / direction input device 2.

In this state, when a single click is input from the command input device 24, the selection command discrimination / control unit 26 discriminates that a selection target instruction request has been made, and issues a command of the object instruction request to the selection target discrimination unit 30. put out. Upon receiving the target pointing instruction, the selection target determination unit 30 activates the pointing gaze correction calculation unit 41 to calculate the selection candidate target that intersects with the selection pointing point.

The designated line-of-sight correction calculator 41 calculates the visual field region shape
It reads the viewpoint position data of the visual field region shape for selecting an object in the three-dimensional space from the parameter recording unit 34, and selects the object whose direction has changed with the movement of the selected index point in the three-dimensional virtual space. The gaze direction is corrected and calculated. Further, the position data of each object is read from the object shape position recording unit 32, and the intersection between the line of sight and each object is calculated. As a result, the selection target object is identified, and the ID of the selection candidate target object is returned to the selection target determination unit 30.

Further, when a single click is input from the command input device 24, the pointing gaze correction calculation unit 41 identifies the selection target object in the same manner as described above, and returns the selection target object ID to the selection target determination unit 30. I do. When the same object is selected again, the selection target object determination unit 30 determines that the instruction request for the selection candidate object has been completed, and performs a selection object movement calculation to move all the selected objects. The unit 31 is started.
At the same time, the link to the movement of the three-dimensional position / direction input device 2 is switched from the selection index to the three-dimensional cursor. By such an operation, any one or more objects are selected from the objects displayed in the view window, and 3
It is possible to move freely in the dimensional space.

(Third Embodiment) In the multi-dimensional image manipulation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the visual field window 11 moves on the screen following the three-dimensional cursor 6, as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 9, the view window 11 is displayed in front of the three-dimensional cursor, but the display position is set so that the view window is displayed near the selection candidate object located at the center of the view window. Can also. In addition, after the selection of the object, which eliminates the need for the view window, FIG.
As shown at 0, the view window disappears from the screen.

As described above, by moving the viewing window,
The viewing window is displayed at a position close to the selected object, so that the amount of movement of the eyes of the operator who wants to select the object is small, and the object can be easily visually recognized in the viewing window. Also, except for the object selection work that requires a view window, the disappearance of this window increases the display area on the operation window,
Operation becomes easy.

As shown in FIG. 11, the multi-dimensional image manipulation device according to the third embodiment which performs the above-described operation calculates a view window position calculating section for calculating and controlling the display position of the view window.
It has 42. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

Upon receiving some information from the selection object discriminating unit 30 indicating that the object is being selected, the view window position calculating unit 42 records the three-dimensional cursor shape / position recording unit 29.
, The current cursor position and direction data are read, and are converted into screen coordinate values. Next,
Reads the view window size from the parameter recording unit 34, determines whether the entire view window can be displayed based on the screen position of the new view window calculated, and corrects the display position if a part extends off the screen. I do. Then, the view window position determined in this way is sent to the view window drawing unit 35. With such an operation, the visual field window follows the movement of the three-dimensional cursor and is displayed in the vicinity thereof.

The field of view window position calculation unit 42
When the information indicating that the target object is selected and moving is received from the selection target object determination unit 30, the command is issued to the visual field window drawing unit 35 to stop displaying the visual field window. As a result, the viewing window occupying the large display area disappears from the screen.

[0078]

As is apparent from the above description of the embodiment, in the multi-dimensional image manipulation device according to the present invention, the three-dimensional cursor and the visual field located in front of it are the position / direction input device in the actual operation space. , The image editing operation is facilitated, and the operation can be performed at high speed.

Further, since another method is employed in which a different visual field is set in the operation window and an object is selected from those within the visual field, it is possible to select an object behind or inside the object. it can.

In addition, since the calculation of the object selection can be limited to only when the selection is requested by the operator, the calculation cost can be greatly reduced.

Further, by fixing the display of the field of view window,
1 to move by moving the selected index point
Alternatively, a plurality of objects can be easily selected.

Further, by making the display position of the visual field window follow the movement of the three-dimensional cursor, the operation of selecting an object becomes easy. Further, by erasing the view window after the selection operation, the subsequent operation becomes easier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a screen by a multidimensional image manipulation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a three-dimensional cursor is moved by the operation device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a target is being moved by the operation device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when an object is rearranged by the operation device;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multidimensional image manipulation device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the multidimensional image manipulation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a screen when a selection index is moved by the operation device;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multidimensional image manipulation device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed by the multidimensional image manipulation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a screen in which a visual field window is deleted by the operation device;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multidimensional image manipulation device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the appearance and a screen example of a conventional multidimensional image manipulation device;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a screen of a conventional multidimensional image manipulation device.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when an object is selected by a conventional multidimensional image manipulation device;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when an object is moved by a conventional multidimensional image manipulation device.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a target is rearranged by a conventional multidimensional image manipulation device.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional object image manipulation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 3D input device control device 2 3D position direction / input device 3 3D position direction / input device command indication button 4 Input device origin position indication device 5 Display screen 6 3D cursor 7 Viewing area shape 8, 9, 10 Selection target 11 View window 12 Selection index (cross) 13 Moved selection index 14 Arrow indicating moving direction of selection index 23 3D input device control unit 24 Command input device 25 Command input device control unit 26 Command discrimination / control unit 27 3D position / direction measurement unit 28 3D cursor movement calculation unit 29 3D cursor shape / position recording unit 30 Selection target discrimination unit 31 Selection target movement calculation unit 32 Object shape position recording unit 33 View area movement calculation unit 34 Field-of-view area shape / parameter recording unit 35 Field-of-view window drawing unit 36 Operation window drawing unit 37 Display control unit 38 Display device 39 Selected index movement calculation unit 40 Selected index position recording unit 41 Instruction Line-of-sight correction calculator 42 Field-of-view window position calculator 48 Straight lines for pointing the target 49, 50 Screen with selection candidates highlighted 51 3D input device 52 Directional lever 53 Speed lever 54 Command switch 55 Input command switch 56 Display Device 57 3D cursor 58 Radial figure for pointing object 59, 60 Selection candidate object 62 Input device interface 63 Control / calculation unit 64 3D figure shape / position data storage unit 65 3D figure processing result storage unit 66 3D Cursor / instruction graphic drawing result storage unit 67 3D cursor / instruction graphic parameter storage unit 68 3D graphic display control unit 69 3D cursor / instruction graphic display control unit 70 display control unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-290147 (JP, A) JP-A-63-52266 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06T 17/40

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A multi-dimensional image operation apparatus for selecting and moving an object located in a three-dimensional virtual space displayed in an operation window, wherein a three-dimensional cursor capable of three-dimensional movement is displayed in the operation window. Cursor display means for displaying, a visual field shape display means for displaying a visual field area visible in front of the three-dimensional cursor by a three-dimensional shape coupled to a tip of the three-dimensional cursor, and a three-dimensional virtual space reflected in the visual field area in the operation window. A view area display means for displaying a view window using a part thereof, and a selection index display means for displaying a selection index in the view window, and an object displayed in the view window is selected by the selection index, The three-dimensional cursor is moved while maintaining the relationship between the selected object, the three-dimensional shape representing the visual field area, and the three-dimensional cursor. By Rukoto,
A multidimensional image manipulation device, wherein the selected object is moved. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: origin designation means for designating an origin position of the operation space; and input means for inputting a position and a direction in the operation space, wherein the three-dimensional position is determined based on a position and a direction of the input means with respect to the origin. The multi-dimensional image manipulation device according to claim 1, wherein a position and a direction of the cursor in a three-dimensional virtual space are set. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising selection determining means for performing an intersection calculation between the object displayed in the view window and the selection index to identify the selected object. Or the multidimensional image manipulation device according to 2. 4. The multi-dimensional image manipulation device according to claim 3, wherein the selection determining means performs the intersection calculation only when an operation of a selection request is performed. 5. The view area display means displays display data of the view window based on position and shape data of all objects in a three-dimensional virtual space and position and direction data of a three-dimensional shape representing the view area. The multi-dimensional image manipulation device according to claim 1, further comprising a data creation unit that creates the data. 6. The multidimensional image operation according to claim 1, wherein the selection index can be switched so as to interlock with the movement of the input means instead of the three-dimensional cursor. apparatus. 7. The multidimensional image according to claim 1, further comprising a view window moving display unit that changes a display position of the view window in the operation window in accordance with the movement of the three-dimensional cursor. Operating device. 8. The multi-dimensional image manipulation device according to claim 1, further comprising a view window erasing means for erasing the view window after the object is selected.