DE20203367U1 - System for early visualization of a vehicle design model in three dimensional form - Google Patents

Abstract

A device generates a set of data for a vehicle or part of the vehicle. Another device generates a virtual reality model using the data set to be stored in a memory. A control device overlays a real model of a vehicle with the virtual reality model using augmented reality. A projection device in the form of a monitor depicts the vehicle model.

Description

AUDI AG
85045 Ingolstadt

Neckarsulm, March 19, 2003 N/EK-7-PZ-IG4409

Early visualization of design ideas in the clay/design model

Current state

At the beginning of the design phase, a large number of two-dimensional design drafts are made on a topic, which are then implemented in three dimensions for the first time in clay models. The number of visualizations decreases steadily from the sketch stage through the clay model until a precise design proposal is available in the form of the design prototype, as shown in Figure 2 .

Since the construction of a clay model is very time-consuming and costly, a decision must be made as to which of the initial two-dimensional ideas should be visualized three-dimensionally in the clay model. This means that not all sketched ideas on a topic can be implemented, and a pre-selection must be made based on the 2D design drawings. There is a risk of having to discard design variants that have high potential in the 3D model for reasons of time and cost, as they can only be assessed in 2D.

Furthermore, ideas that arise from insights from the clay model can only be visualized by adapting the clay model, which requires another sketch-clay model iteration and thus increases the time and cost required in the design phase.

IG4409TEXT.DOC

New idea

In order to facilitate the pre-selection of ideas that will be implemented in the clay model and to reduce the number of physical clay models, a central clay model can be built into which various designs on a topic are mapped using AR methods.

The central clay model should be designed in such a way that it can serve as a visualization platform for the individual detailed variants.

The designer is equipped with a device that allows him to see the physical clay model in his natural field of vision, as well as the variant designs rendered in real time and displayed correctly depending on his viewing position. This is called augmented reality. Natural reality is "augmented" by additional information, i.e. it is superimposed.

Possible augmentation objects for design visualizations in the clay model are all topics that are located within the outer boundary of the model. These would be, for example, different wheel and tire variants, headlights, lights, radiator grilles, general product graphics such as joint lines or front/rear views. In the following example, two different variants of a door are displayed in the clay model, as shown in Figure 1 .

The design variants can be augmented in the form of 2D sketches, but also as 3D models. The 3D models can be augmented as a rough CAD model or as a high-end rendering, which, through appropriate processing, already allows for a photorealistic appearance. This means that colors, textures or surface properties can be experimented with at this stage of the product design.

This AR scenario can provide a realistic view of the potential of individual ideas, which makes the design process

on the one hand, it can be made more precise and, on the other hand, the number of expensive physical models on a topic can be reduced. In addition, a robust AR system gives the designer a tool that opens up greater creative scope, thereby achieving added value in terms of design quality.

The physical object does not have to be exclusively a clay model; already finished design prototypes or even series vehicles can also serve as the object to be augmented. This is decided depending on the focus of the investigation.

Technical implementation

To realize an AR system for the above scenario, the following components are required:

- Real component (object to be augmented)

- Virtual data sets (augmenting objects/data)
- Data storage

- Calculator

- Renderer, image generation

- Image overlay component

- Tracking unit

- Visualization unit

- Unit for mapping the real environment

- Camera

- Semi-transparent mirror

When it comes to depicting the real environment, a distinction must be made between two basic options.

Figure 3 shows the depiction of the real environment through cameras.

-A-

Figure 4 shows the image of the real world without any aids. The real view and the rendered image are superimposed using a semi-transparent mirror.

definition

- Prototype 1 "Low Cost Solution"

- Software: ArBrowser, marker based tracking

- Hardware: Notebook (GeForce2Go)

USB Cam/DV Cam

- Prototype 2 "High End Solution"
-Software: VD2

- Hardware: Intel® Celeron®

HMD (Video-See-Through Process) Optical Tracking Company A. RT

Scenario verification of prototype parts

Problems with prototype construction:

Errors resulting from the manufacturing process are only detected in the prototype part (tool-out component) during prototype construction. This can cause further costly iteration loops, as shown in Figure 5

Early control of: - shape and position accuracy

- Geometry

- Freeform surfaces

AR approach:

Intuitive checking of geometric and topological properties of the first tool-out prototype part before prototype construction, as shown in Figure 6 .

Visualization of design variants Design process:

As shown in Figure 2, the design process first involves creating many sketches. These sketches serve as templates for several clay models, which are then used to produce a few design prototypes.

Problem:

- Prototype construction is very complex, time-consuming and costly

- Not all of the basic ideas can therefore be implemented in the clay/design model

be implemented
Danger of losing ideas with potential

AR approach

Map multiple detailed designs into a central clay model as shown in Figure 1 .

This creates the opportunity to recognize the potential of design ideas at an early stage and to develop them in a targeted manner.

implementation

Test construction

- To evaluate the use of prototype 1 in experimental construction when building a "technology carrier".

- Specification of requirements in test construction.

- Generate acceptance by using the first prototype based on ArBrowser

design

-6-

- Visualization of an interior HiEnd rendering from Opus

- Data quality vs. real-time capability

- Improve the quality of the environment by using DV-Cam

- Data flow Opus to ArBrowser/VD2

Requirements

software

- Display HiEnd rendering from formats used in the design field (Opus and Maya)

- link multiple markers to different models - intervene in ArBrowser code

- GUI (ergonomic, interactive)

- Link different markers to different virtual data

- Overlays ("negative rendering" of the background geometry)

Hardware

- Suitable HMD

- DV-Cam to capture an entire vehicle

Next Steps

Construction of the second prototype - specifications

Integration ART-T rackinq

-7- Evaluation HMD's

- Stereo capable (2 cameras)

- Test Visys HMD

- Custom solution

- Continue watching Optical See Through (Zeiss)

Claims (8)

1. Device for visualising a motor vehicle design model, comprising: - a device for generating a data record of a motor vehicle or a part of the motor vehicle; - a device for generating a VR (Virtual Reality) model using the data set of the device for generating a data set; - a storage device for storing the VR model; - a control device for superimposing a real model of a motor vehicle or a portion of the motor vehicle with the VR model to form the motor vehicle design model by AR (Augmented Reality); and - a projection device for displaying the motor vehicle design model; characterized in that the projection device is a monitor. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a camera for recording the real model of the motor vehicle or the partial area of the motor vehicle. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the components of the device are designed such that the recording and superimposition are possible in real time. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device is designed to project the VR model onto the real model of the motor vehicle or the partial area of the motor vehicle. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the VR model represents a two- or three-dimensional image. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the VR model comprises at least one motor vehicle component that can be designed variably. 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the variability consists in the color, texture or surface quality of the component. 8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the at least one motor vehicle component comprises at least one wheel-tire variant, a headlight variant, a light variant, a radiator grille variant, a joint profile, a front view or a rear view.