System for design visualization using actual product images

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a system for acquiring images of real stone slabs, visualize them virtually them in a 1:1. ratio, and design and view the final installation in 2D and 3D with the actual slabs instead of sample photography. This feat is achieved by the combination of multiple systems. Which include: 1.- A process to take the photographies 2.- A computer system to store and manage a virtual warehouse of actual slab images. 3.- a 1:1 display system. 4.- a catalog application and 5.- a visualization tool.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of image files, each of the plurality of image files comprising an image of one of a plurality of stone slabs, the plurality of image files including a first image file comprising an image of a first stone slab;   generating, on a display, an interactive graphical user interface comprising a drawing canvas and a layout;   wherein the drawing canvas comprises a visual representation of an installation, wherein the visual representation includes one or more shapes, and wherein each shape of the one or more shapes has a respective size and relative position;   wherein the layout comprises at least the image of the first stone slab overlaid by the one or more shapes;   receiving, from a user device, a first user input associated with a first shape of the one or more shapes;   automatically updating, in response to receiving an input from a user changing a size or relative position of the first shape in either drawing canvas or the layout, the size or relative of the first shape in the other of the drawing canvas or layout.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more shapes generated in the layout each indicate a piece of the first stone slab from where each of the shapes is to be cut. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 receiving, prior to generating the interactive graphical user interface, a second user input selecting the first stone slab from a visual representation of two or more of the plurality of stone slabs, including a visual representation of the first stone slab. 
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 generating, after having received the first image file, a plurality of tiling image files based on the first image file, wherein the plurality of tiling image files each comprise different portions of the image of the first stone slab of the first image file; and 
 displaying, on a plurality of adjacent displays, the tiling image files, wherein each of the plurality of adjacent displays is displaying a different tiling image file of the plurality of tiling image files to generate a full size image of the first stone slab of the first image file. 
 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 generating, on the display, a 3D visual representation of the installation based on the drawing canvas and the layout. 
 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 generating at least one file of information for cutting the first stone slab displayed in the drawing canvas. 
 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein generating the interactive graphical user interface comprises generating a split screen of four parts, wherein a first part includes the drawing canvas and a second part includes the layout. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of image files are associated with a plurality of stone slabs in inventory. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of image files does not include image files for stone slabs not in inventory. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 receiving, from a user device, a selection of an edge finishing to apply to a first edge of the first shape; 
 automatically updating, in response to receiving an input from a user selecting the edge finishing, both the drawing canvas and the layout to display the edge finishing on the first edge. 
 
     
     
         31 . A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable program code instructions that, when executed by a computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to:
 receive a first image file, wherein the first image file comprises an image of a first stone slab;   generate, on a display, an interactive graphical user interface, wherein the interactive graphical user interface comprises a drawing canvas and a layout;   wherein the drawing canvas comprises a visual representation of an installation, wherein the visual representation includes one or more shapes, wherein each shape of the one or more shapes has a respective size and relative position;   wherein the layout comprises at least the image of the first stone slab overlaid by the one or more shapes;   receive, from a user device, a first user input associated with a first shape of the one or more shapes;   automatically update, in response to receiving an input from a user changing a size or relative position of the first shape in either drawing canvas or the layout, the size or relative of the first shape in the other of the drawing canvas or layout.   
     
     
         32 . The computer program product  claim 31 , wherein the one or more shapes generated in the layout each indicate a piece of the first stone slab from where each of the shapes is to be cut. 
     
     
         33 . The computer program product  claim 31 , wherein the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions that, when executed by a computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to:
 receive, prior to generating the interactive graphical user interface, a second user input selecting the first stone slab from a visual representation of two or more of the plurality of stone slabs, including a visual representation of the first stone slab.   
     
     
         34 . The computer program product  claim 31 , wherein the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions that, when executed by a computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to:
 generate, after having received the first image file, a plurality of tiling image files based on the first image file, wherein the plurality of tiling image files each comprise different portions of the image of the first stone slab of the first image file; and   display, on a plurality of adjacent displays, the tiling image files, wherein each of the plurality of adjacent displays is displaying a different tiling image file of the plurality of tiling image files to generate a full size image of the first stone slab of the first image file.   
     
     
         35 . The computer program product  claim 31 , wherein the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions that, when executed by a computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to:
 generate, on the display, a 3D visual representation of the installation based on the drawing canvas and the layout.   
     
     
         36 . The computer program product  claim 31 , wherein the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions that, when executed by a computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to:
 generate at least one file of information for cutting the first stone slab displayed in the drawing canvas.   
     
     
         37 . The computer program product  claim 31 , wherein the interactive graphical user interface comprises a split screen of four parts, wherein a first part includes the drawing canvas and a second part includes the layout. 
     
     
         38 . The computer program product  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of image files are associated with a plurality of stone slabs in inventory. 
     
     
         39 . The computer program product  claim 38 , wherein the plurality of image files does not include image files for stone slabs not in inventory. 
     
     
         40 . The computer program product  claim 31  wherein the computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions that, when executed by a computing apparatus, cause the computing apparatus to:
 receive, from a user device, a selection of an edge finishing to apply to a first edge of the first shape; 
 automatically update, in response to receiving an input from a user selecting the edge finishing, both the drawing canvas and the layout to display the edge finishing on the first edge.