CrossShade allows the creation of 3D-looking shaded production drawings from initial concept sketches. We use artist-drawn cross-section lines to automatically infer surface information across the sketch, enabling 3D-like rendering.
The software creates a mathematical formulation of the relationships between cross-section curves and the geometry they aim to convey. These relationships are then used to develop an algorithm for estimating a normal field from cross-section curve networks and other curves present in concept sketches.
Cross-sections function as an aid to both sketch creation and viewer understanding of the depicted 3D shape. In particular, intersections of these curves, or cross-hairs, convey valuable 3D information that viewers compose into a mental model of the sketch. We use this information to estimate the surface normals. Combined with conventional shaders, our normals facilitate the creation of shaded drawings.
Advantages:
- Automatic shading of concept sketches
- Facilitates creation of shaded production drawings from multiple concept sketches
STATUS
- Two granted patents (US9,405,994, US9,965,843)
- CrossShade is coded in C++. Source and Executable code are available.
