Interactive dimensioning of parametric models

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving image data corresponding to a three-dimensional (3D) parametric model;

receiving a selection of a scope of the 3D model;

receiving a selection of one or more base lines for the scope;

determining a slip type for the scope;

calculating planes of the scope based on:

the one or more base lines; and

the slip type;

calculating candidate dimension lines based on:

the calculated planes; and

dimension line placement guidelines;

selecting a dimension line of the candidate dimension lines based on dimension line placement rules; and

displaying the selected dimension line adjacent to the scope, the selected dimension line corresponding to the selected one or more base lines,

wherein the calculating planes of the 3D model, the calculating candidate dimension lines, and the selecting of the dimension line is performed and dynamically updated in real-time as the 3D model is rotated in a 3D environment.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the scope further includes a type, the method further comprising:

receiving a selection of the type of scope including one of:

a linear contour type;

a linear center type;

a diametric type;

a radial type;

a spherical diametric type; and

a spherical radial type,

wherein the selection of the one or more base lines for the 3D model is based on the type of scope.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 wherein the type includes an orientation, and wherein the selection of the one or more base lines for the 3D model is further based on the orientation of the type.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining when the scope is not visible in a current orientation of the 3D model; and

removing the placed dimension line until the scope becomes visible.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

identifying an existing dimension line associated with the 3D model, wherein selecting the dimension line of the candidate dimension lines is further based on whether the existing dimension line is placed in a linear relationship with any of the candidate dimension lines.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the slip type includes one of:

a scope slip type causing the calculated planes to directly correspond to the scope;

a billboard slip type causing the calculated planes to directly correspond to a current camera view of the 3D model; or

an object slip type causing the calculated planes to directly correspond to dimensions of the 3D model.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the dimension line placement guidelines include one or more of the following:

dimension lines placed outside of 3D model where possible;

dimension lines maintain a minimum defined distance from the 3D model and existing dimension lines;

dimension lines located in planes which they apply or normal to a viewing direction of the 3D model;

dimension lines are only shown for visible features;

avoid placement of intersecting dimension lines; and

group co-linear dimension lines where possible.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a user-manipulatable handle on the selected dimension line, the handle to dynamically control a length of the one or more base lines in real-time;

receiving a user input corresponding to a movement of the handle; and

manipulating the shape of the 3D model based on the movement of the handle.

9. A computer-implemented system comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums containing instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:

receiving image data corresponding to a three-dimensional (3D) parametric model;

receiving a selection of a scope of the 3D model;

receiving a selection of one or more base lines for the scope;

determining a slip type for the scope;

calculating planes of the scope based on:

the one or more base lines; and

the slip type;

calculating candidate dimension lines based on:

the calculated planes; and

dimension line placement guidelines;

selecting a dimension line of the candidate dimension lines based on dimension line placement rules; and

displaying the selected dimension line adjacent to the 3D parametric model, the selected dimension line corresponding to the selected one or more base lines, wherein the calculating planes of the 3D model, the calculating candidate dimension lines, and the selecting of the dimension line is performed and dynamically updated in real-time as the 3D model is rotated in a 3D environment.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the scope further includes a type, the system further comprising instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:

receiving a selection of the type of scope including one of:

a linear contour type;

a linear center type;

a diametric type;

a radial type;

a spherical diametric type; and

a spherical radial type,

wherein the selection of the one or more base lines for the 3D model is based on the type of scope.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the type includes an orientation, and wherein the selection of the one or more base lines for the 3D model is further based on the orientation of the type.

12. The system of claim 9 further comprising instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:

determining when the scope is not visible in a current orientation of the 3D model; and

removing the placed dimension line until the scope becomes visible.

13. The system of claim 9 further comprising instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:

identifying an existing dimension line associated with the 3D model, wherein selecting the dimension line of the candidate dimension lines is further based on whether the existing dimension line is placed in a linear relationship with any of the candidate dimension lines.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein the slip type includes one of:

a scope slip type causing the calculated planes to directly correspond to the scope;

a billboard slip type causing the calculated planes to directly correspond to a current camera view of the 3D model; or

an object slip type causing the calculated planes to directly correspond to dimensions of the 3D model.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein the dimension line placement guidelines include one or more of the following:

dimension lines placed outside of 3D model where possible;

dimension lines maintain a minimum defined distance from the 3D model and existing dimension lines;

dimension lines located in planes which they apply or normal to a viewing direction of the 3D model;

dimension lines are only shown for visible features;

avoid placement of intersecting dimension lines; and

group co-linear dimension lines where possible.

16. The system of claim 9 further comprising instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:

displaying a user-manipulatable handle on the selected dimension line, the handle to dynamically control a length of the one or more base lines in real-time;

receiving a user input corresponding to a movement of the handle; and

manipulating the shape of the 3D model based on the movement of the handle.

17. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving image data corresponding to a three-dimensional (3D) parametric model;

displaying a dimension line adjacent to the parametric model, the dimension line corresponding to a base line on the parametric model, wherein the dimension line is positioned to avoid obscuring the parametric model;

receiving a user input corresponding to a change in a viewpoint of the 3D parametric model;

changing the orientation of the 3D parametric model based on the user input; and

repositioning the dimension line in real-time as the orientation of the 3D parametric model is rotated, wherein the dimension line is positioned such that it does not obscure the parametric model.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

displaying a user-controllable handle on the dimension line to control a length of the corresponding base line;

receiving a user input corresponding to a user-manipulation of the handle on the dimension line; and

changing the shape of the 3D parametric model based on the user input.