Navigation tools for viewing augmented CAD models

The first step in the development of any modern physical product is the construction of a CAD model. This model will be used during the product's complete life cycle: prototyping, fabrication, maintenance, and upgrading. During construction, a discrepancy can occur between the model and the object. To maintain and upgrade the object, the model must represent the reality. Keeping the model up to date requires verifying and sometimes updating it. A proposed scalable solution augments CAD software with pictures of the object. This approach aligns still images to the model, allowing visualization of the model and the object at the same time. This creates a mixed view. The virtual camera that renders the model in a mixed view is restricted by the still image because the alignment between the image and the model must be maintained. A tool helps users navigate in this view by transposing the zoom and pan from 2D user interfaces. Other tools allow intuitive navigation within a set of mixed views. This article is part of a special issue on 3D user interfaces.