User-Centric Viewpoint Computation for Haptic Exploration and Manipulation
Miguel A. Otaduy otaduy@cs.unc.edu
Ming C. Lin lin@cs.unc.edu

Abstract: We present several techniques for user-centric viewing of the virtual objects or datasets under haptic exploration and manipulation.  Depending on the type of tasks performed by the user, our algorithms compute automatic placement of the user viewpoint to navigate through the scene, to display the near-optimal views, and to reposition the viewpoint for haptic visualization. This is accomplished by conjecturing the user's intent based on the user's actions, the object geometry, and intra- and inter-object occlusion relationships.  These algorithms have been implemented and interfaced with both a 3-DOF and a 6-DOF PHANToM arms.  We demonstrate their application on haptic exploration and visualization of a complex structure, as well as multiresolution modeling and 3D painting using a force feedback device.
PAPER
User-Centric Viewpoint Computation for Haptic Exploration and Manipulation
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Miguel A. Otaduy and Ming C. Lin

CONFERENCE VIDEO
Complete video MPEG1 (66.491Mb)
OTHER VIDEOS
VIEWPOINT NAVIGATION:

Several sequences of viewpoint navigation across the model of the Auxiliary Machine Room (AMR) of a submarine.

Navigation allows haptic exploration of all the objects in the scene.

The 3D tracking capabilities of the haptic device are exploited.

NEAR OPTIMAL VIEWS:

The main view is combined with a detail view that tries to give a near-optimal view of the region of interest.

In the video, the model of the armadillo is traversed with the haptic probe while the detail view is automatically adapted.

AUTOMATIC REPOSITIONING:

Comparison of camera repositioning with grab&rotate operations vs. automatic repositioning.

The advantages of automatic repositioning are shown in the framework of an in-house 3D modeling and painting application (ArtNova).

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otaduy@cs.unc.edu
last updated: 11/09/01