Parameterized animation modifications

Number: 11335051
Published: 2022-05-17
Filed: 2020-03-11
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Sumner; Robert W., Rios Rodriguez; Alba Maria, Nitti; Maurizio, Ryffel; Mattia, Poulakos; Steven C.
CPC: G06T11/23; G06T13/00; G06T13/40; G06T13/80
Verdict: Low Notable software
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Parameterized character-animation modification technique (granted).

Abstract

Techniques for animation are provided. A first trajectory for a first element in a first animation is determined. A first approximation is generated based on the first trajectory, and the first approximation is modified based on an updated state of the first element. The first trajectory is then refined based on the modified first approximation.

Background

BACKGROUND (1) The present disclosure relates to animation, and more specifically, to parameterizing actions in order to improve the animation process. (2) Through subtle variations in motion, talented animators can bring digital characters to life. Expressive character animation gives digital characters identity, mood, and personality. However, creating this expressive motion is a challenging task. In order to achieve the quality results, animators most often utilize keyframing tools, which allow them to carefully craft and control all aspects of a character's movement. In this process, animators carefully construct the pose of digital characters at key points in the animation, which are then interpolated by the animation software. Generating these key poses, achieving the appropriate timing, and effectively incorporating the principles of animation is an entirely manual, time consuming, and costly process. Further, once the investment has been made to create an animation, no tools exist to reuse that investment on similar animation tasks. Typically, to modify the animation, the entire manual process must begin from scratch. SUMMARY (3) According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a first animation comprising a plurality of elements, and identifying an updated state of a first element of the plurality of elements. The method further includes determining a first trajectory for the first element, based on the firs

Claims

1. A method, comprising: receiving a first animation comprising a plurality of elements; identifying an updated state of a first element of the plurality of elements; determining a first trajectory for the first element, based on the first animation; generating a first approximation based on the first trajectory; modifying the first approximation based on the updated state of the first element; and refining the first trajectory based on the modified first approximation comprising: identifying, for a first trajectory point on the first trajectory, a corresponding point on the modified first approximation; and transforming the first trajectory point to a local coordinate system of the corresponding point on the modified first approximation. || 9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer program code that, when executed by operation of one or more computer processors, performs an operation comprising: receiving a first animation comprising a plurality of elements; identifying an updated state of a first element of the plurality of elements; determining a first trajectory for the first element, based on the first animation; generating a first approximation based on the first trajectory; modifying the first approximation based on the updated state of the first element; and refining the first trajectory based on the modified first approximation comprising: identifying, for a first trajectory point on the first trajectory, a corresponding point on the modified first approximation; and transforming the first trajectory point to a local coordinate system of the corresponding point on the modified first approximation. || 15. A system, comprising: one or more computer processors; and a memory containing a program which when executed by the one or more computer processors performs an operation, the operation comprising: receiving a first animation comprising a plurality of elements; identifying an updated state of a first element of the plurality of elements; determining a first trajectory for the first element, based on the first animation; generating a first approximation based on the first trajectory; modifying the first approximation based on the updated state of the first element; and refining the first trajectory based on the modified first approximation comprising: identifying, for a first trajectory point on the first trajectory, a corresponding point on the modified first approximation; and transforming the first trajectory point to a local coordinate system of the corresponding point on the modified first approximation.