A method for sharing interactive deformations in collaborative 3D modeling

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes a new approach to collaboratively designing original products and crafted objects in a distributed virtual environment. Special attention is paid to concept formulation and image substantiation in the early design stage. A data management strategy and its implementation method are shown to effectively share and visualize a series of shape-forming and modeling operations performed by experts on a network. A 3D object representation technique is devised to manage frequently updated geometrical information by exchanging only a small amount of data among participating systems. Additionally, we contrive a method for offloading some expensive functions usually performed on a server such as multi-resolution data management and adaptive data transmission control. Client systems are delegated to execute these functions and achieve “interactivity vs. image quality” tradeoffs based on available resources and operations in a flexible and parallel fashion.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.1 Multimedia Information Systems
          Subjects: Artificial, augmented, and virtual realities

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces
          Subjects: Collaborative computing

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.2 Graphics Systems
          Subjects: Distributed/network graphics
      I.3.7 Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism
          Subjects: Virtual reality

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Management, Measurement, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
3D object modeling, collaborative design, computer graphics, distributed virtual environment