Physical virtual-scene control device.
A handheld device includes: an input control configured to control and modify a virtual scene including a virtual camera; and a display that shows a representation of the controlled and modified virtual scene generated by the virtual camera. A system includes: a computer system configured to execute program instructions for generating a virtual scene including a virtual camera; and handheld device configured to communicate with the computer system for controlling and modifying the virtual scene, the handheld device comprising: an input control configured to control and modify the virtual scene; and a display that shows a representation of the controlled and modified virtual scene generated by the virtual camera.
TECHNICAL FIELD(1) This document relates to a virtual-scene control device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(2) While advancements in computer technology have been made in recent years, many filmmakers active today have used traditional camera equipment on most if not all of their work. To those professionals, using computer-generated tools in creating a video or an animation remains unfamiliar. It can therefore be difficult to accomplish in the virtual world the things that they are used to creating with standard cameras, such as setting camera angles and choosing camera paths. In a sense, it can be said that some filmmakers speak in traditional language that does not directly translate artistically into computer-generated imagery.(3) Movie production that involves computer-generated images (CGI) can tend to look animated and require extensive non-realtime artistry. For example, it can take days to weeks for teams of artists to layout a scene, set and block computer-generated cameras, assets and composition. 2D story boards are sometimes generated, but they may not convey enough 3D information. 3D animatics are sometimes used, but they may be rudimentary and limiting in capability and fidelity.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION(4) The invention relates to a virtual-scene control device.(5) In a first aspect, a handheld device includes: an input control configured to control and modify a virtual scene including a virtual camera; and a display that shows a representation of the controll
1. A handheld device that allows a user to control a virtual scene generated by a computer system, the virtual scene including one or more characters, a plurality of non-character assets and at least one virtual camera, the plurality of assets including one or more immoveable objects, moveable objects or self-propelled objects, the handheld device comprising: a body; an I/O channel configured to enable the handheld device to communicate with the computer system that generates the virtual scene; a display mounted on the body and configured to show a representation of the virtual scene as generated by the at least one virtual camera; and one or more input controls operable to enable: (a) a first user-selected mode for recording images with a virtual camera of the at least one virtual camera in the virtual scene using the input controls, and (b) a second user-selected mode for selecting individual ones of the plurality of assets and moving the selected assets within the virtual scene and for selecting between different virtual lenses for the virtual camera.
10. A handheld device that allows a user to control a virtual scene generated by a computer system, the virtual scene including one or more characters, a plurality of non-character assets and at least one virtual camera, the plurality of assets including one or more immoveable objects, moveable objects or self-propelled objects, the handheld device comprising: a body having a camera form factor including a lens-like portion and a rotatable lens ring coupled to the lens-like portion; an I/O channel configured to enable the handheld device to communicate with the computer system that generates the virtual scene; input controls positioned on the body; a display mounted on the body and configured to show a representation of the virtual scene as generated by the at least one virtual camera; and a mode selection input control operable to place the handheld device into a first mode in which the handheld device is configured to enable the user to record images with a virtual camera of the at least one virtual camera in the virtual scene using the input controls, and a second mode in which the handheld device is configured to enable the user to use the input controls to select individual ones of the plurality of assets and move the selected assets within the virtual scene and to select between different virtual lenses for the virtual camera.
15. A handheld device that allows a user to control a virtual scene generated by a computer system, the virtual scene including a plurality of virtual assets and at least one virtual camera, the handheld device comprising: a body; an I/O channel configured to enable the handheld device to communicate with the computer system that generates the virtual scene; a display mounted on the body and configured to show a representation of the virtual scene as generated by the at least one virtual camera; and an input control operable to enable (a) a first user selected mode for recording images with a virtual camera of the at least one virtual camera in the virtual scene, and (b) a second user selected mode for selecting between different virtual lenses for the virtual camera; wherein the input control comprises a scroll wheel that, when a virtual asset is not selected, allows the user to alternate between available virtual lenses by scrolling the wheel and then select a virtual lens by clicking on the wheel.