Buildable Transforms for Axis Manipulation in 3D Applications
Mathew Schwartz, Jaerin Lee · 2016
Use of three-dimensional software has become increasingly accessible to a variety of users and disciplines through technological advances in both consumer products and computational performance. From early on in the development of 3D applications new methods of control were being designed and researched for manipulation directly on or with the object, resulting in a variety of widgets controlled either by gestures or gizmos in the 3D window. Using purely gesture or direct manipulation poses a challenge to fine-grained control, such as what is needed in the field of robotics and mechanics. This paper takes a new approach with controlling transformations, in particular of an axis, that brings a more direct relationship between homogeneous transformations and axis control through an input field type interface. This new interface allows users maximum control and experimentation through using either single values or full matrices. Current robotics tools for education are reviewed. An example of how this new system can be used in the study of kinematics is presented. Both the aesthetic and framework design of the UI element is presented. Validation of the UI is based on a comparison between the current systems flexibility and ability to accomplish complex tasks with minimal effort.