Tablet-based welding simulator
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a computer program product and processor based computing system that provides processing means for executing coded instructions and input means for interacting with said processing means to create a virtual welding environment. The system establishes an objective to change a functional or operational state of a virtual article, and directs the end user to perform at least one virtual welding operation for changing its functional state. The system trains new users and inexperienced welders on the fundamental aspects of welding and other technical aspects.
1. A method comprising:
generating a dynamic virtual welding environment within a computer-based platform which includes 3D glasses and a mock welding tool;
displaying stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) images of at least a portion of the dynamic virtual welding environment on a display screen of the computer-based platform;
viewing the stereoscopic three-dimensional images using 3D glasses, resulting in at least a portion of the dynamic virtual welding environment appearing to project out of the display screen into a 3D space;
calibrating the mock welding tool to a projected position of the projected portion of the dynamic virtual welding environment in 3D space, wherein the calibrating includes correlating a detected position of at least one point on the mock welding tool in 3D space to a known position of at least one point on a projected virtual weldment in the projected portion of the dynamic virtual welding environment in 3D space; and
virtually welding the virtual weldment of the projected portion of the dynamic virtual welding environment projected in 3D space using the mock welding tool while viewing the stereoscopic three-dimensional images using 3D glasses, wherein virtually welding comprises tracking the mock welding tool is in 3D space and correlating a position of the mock welding tool in 3D space to a corresponding position within the projected portion of the dynamic virtual welding environment in 3D space based at least in part on a position of the projected portion of the dynamic virtual welding environment projected into the in 3D space as viewed via the 3D glasses.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising tracking a position and an orientation of the mock welding tool in 3D space.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the tracking is accomplished using one or more of inertial tracking techniques and magnetic tracking techniques.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the computer-based platform includes one of a desktop personal computer, a tablet-based computer device, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, and a workstation.