Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for guiding flight through a computer digital mockup object scene is generated on a display. A three dimensional graphical figure, such as an arrow, is formed on the display to represent a trajectory responsive to positioning of an input device. The three dimensional graphical figure is bent responsive to rotation speed of a viewpoint base; and stretched or compressed responsive to viewpoint translation speed. The visual texture of the three dimensional graphical figure can be altered to indicate an imminent collision of the viewpoint with an object in the digital mock up scene. Altering the texture can include changing the color or presenting a pattern such as a checkerboard or stripes. An imminent collision is determined by computing the viewpoint eye translation along its sight direction and testing the resulting eye position against the depth buffer. The three dimensional graphical figure can also be vibrated back and forth responsive to a collision of the viewpoint with an object in the digital mockup scene.

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First Claim