Tech-note: ScrutiCam: Camera manipulation technique for 3D objects inspection

Abstract

Inspecting a 3D object is a common task in 3D applications. However, such a camera movement is not trivial and standard tools do not provide an efficient and unique tool for such a move. ScrutiCam is a new 3D camera manipulation technique. It is based on the “click-and-drag” mouse move, where the user “drags” the point of interest on the screen to perform different camera movements such as zooming, panning and rotating around a model. ScrutiCam can stay aligned with the surface of the model in order to keep the area of interest visible. ScrutiCam is also based on the Point-Of-Interest (POI) approach, where the final camera position is specified by clicking on the screen. Contrary to other POI techniques, ScrutiCam allows the user to control the animation of the camera along the trajectory. It is also inspired by the “Trackball” technique, where the virtual camera moves along the bounding sphere of the model. However, ScrutiCam's camera stays close to the surface of the model, whatever its shape. It can be used with mice as well as with touch screens as it only needs a 2D input and a single button.