Technique for enhanced perception of 3-D structure in point clouds

摘要

In one embodiment, a user's perception of three-dimensional (3-D) structure of points in a point cloud is enhanced by use of a flashlight virtual object. The flashlight virtual object has a field of view that includes an inner cone that encloses an inner zone and an outer cone that encloses an outer zone. A current position and orientation of the flashlight virtual object within the 3-D space of the point cloud is found. It is determined whether the any points of the point cloud fall within the inner cone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, the points of the point cloud that fall within the inner cone are highlighted. It is further determined whether any points of the point cloud fall within the outer cone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, the points of the point cloud that fall within the outer cone are highlighted.