3D Visualization and Manipulation of Geometry and Surface Meshes

Dawn L. Ellis, Steve L. Karman, Andrew J. Novobilski, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Robert Haimes, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This paper discusses an approach for interacting with geometry models in a true threedimensional environment using an independent console to facilitate the computational analysis and design process. In the past, the viewing of three-dimensional models was restricted to a flat two-dimensional display. Using a new type of display, Actuality System’s Perspecta, three-dimensional geometry can be viewed and interacted with in a new way, allowing one to physically walk around and view the model as a volume. A brief discussion of three-dimensional viewing techniques is presented, followed by a discussion of the viewing hardware, the model generation process, the mesh creation process, and finally a discussion of the interface developed to interact with the model.