Method to transform a virtual object into a real physical object
A method to create a coarse-grained real physical object (RO) from a fine-grained 3D virtual object (VO). The method comprises the steps of selecting (RTVO) the virtual object, e.g. a character, or at least elements thereof (head, chest, arms, legs) in a virtual environment (VE), creating (CRBB) a bounding box for each element wherein the element fits, creating (CRTC) a texture cloud for each bounding box by taking a 360 degree snapshot of the element as delimited by its bounding box, applying (APIS) image stitching technology on the texture cloud for obtaining a distinct texture for each bounding box, printing (PRBB) the bounding boxes with their associated texture, and stitching the bounding boxes together. The printing step may occur on a paper printer whereby a cut-and-glue real physical object (RO) can be obtained, or directly on a 3D printer. The method is possibly completed by encrypting the real object with semipedia technology, thereby bringing the real object into the virtual environment (VE) and allowing a user can to use the real object for controlling its corresponding virtual object (VO).
1. A method to create a real physical object (RO),
wherein said method comprises:
selecting (RTVO) a virtual object (VO) in a virtual environment;
creating (CRBB) a bounding box wherein said virtual object fits;
creating (CRTC) a texture cloud by taking a 360 degree snapshot of said virtual object as delimited by said bounding box;
applying (APIS) image stitching technology on said texture cloud for obtaining a texture for said bounding box; and
printing (PRBB) said bounding box with said texture.
2. The method according to claim 1 ,
wherein said virtual object (VO) comprises a plurality of elements;
and in that said method comprises:
selecting individually each element of said virtual object in the virtual environment;
creating a distinct bounding box for each element and wherein the element associated to the bounding box fits;
creating a texture cloud for each bounding box by taking a 360 degree snapshot of the associated element as delimited by said bounding box;
applying image stitching technology on said texture cloud for obtaining a distinct texture for each bounding box;
printing the bounding boxes with their associated texture; and
stitching the bounding boxes together.
3. The method according to claim 1 ,
wherein said virtual object (VO) is a 3D object of a virtual environment;
and in that said real physical object (RO) is a 3D object of the real world.
4. The method according to claim 3 ,
wherein said virtual object (VO) is a fine-grained 3D object;
and in that said real physical object (RO) is a coarse-grained object.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bounding box is printed on paper.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bounding box is printed on a 3D printer.
7. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said virtual object (VO) is a character of a virtual world.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the elements of said virtual object (VO) are parts of said character.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting (RTVO) comprises an operation of retrieving a copy of said virtual object (VO) and of a virtual identification of said virtual object from said virtual environment (VE).
10. The method according to claim 2 , wherein selecting comprises an operation of retrieving a copy of said element of said virtual object (VO) and of a virtual identification of said element from said virtual environment (VE).
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said method includes encrypting said real object (RO) with semipedia technology.