Inflatable Icons: Diffusion-Based Interactive Extrusion of 2D Images into 3D Models
Alexander Repenning · Journal of Graphics Tools · 2005
There are many applications, such as rapid prototyping, simulations, and presentations, where nonprofessional computer end-users could benefit from the ability to create simple three-dimensional models. Existing tools are geared toward the creation of production quality three-dimensional models by professional users with sufficient background, time, and motivation to overcome steep learning curves. Inflatable Icons combine diffusion-based image extrusion with a number of interactively controllable parameters to allow end-users to efficiently design threedimensional objects. Early user testing has indicated that it takes end-users, even kids, just minutes to draw icons and then use the Inflatable Icons approach to create three-dimensional models which they can use to build video games.