PRECOMPUTED ENVIRONMENT SEMANTICS FOR CONTACT-RICH CHARACTER ANIMATION

Number: 20170337723
Published: 2017-11-23
Filed: 2016-05-17
Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
Inventors: Sumner; Robert, Xianghao; Xu, Coros; Stelian, Kapadia; Mubbasir Turab
CPC: G06T13/40; G06T1/20
Verdict: Low Notable software
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Precomputes valid contact locations in a virtual environment where an animated characters motion sequence can plausibly be performed, for contact-rich character animation.

Abstract

A method of identifying locations in a virtual environment where a motion sequence can be performed by an animated character may include accessingthe motion sequence for the animated character, identifying a plurality of contact locations in the motion sequence where the animated character contacts surfaces in virtual environments, accessing the virtual environment comprising a plurality of surfaces, and identifying the locations in the virtual environment where the motion sequence can be performed by the animated character by identifying surfaces in the plurality of surfaces that match the plurality of contact locations.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remainingportions of the specification and the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the several drawings to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label is associated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similar components. When reference is made to a reference numeral without specification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to all such multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram depicting the major steps for performing analysis for predefined motion sequences, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an animation of a human character performing a predefined motion sequence to elevate up and over an obstacle, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3A illustrates a first example of a contact pose.

FIG. 3B illustrates a second example of a contact pose.

FIG. 3C illustrates a third example of a contact pose.

FIG. 4 illustrates a set of keyframes for a motion clip for an animated character vaulting over a wall or obstacle.

FIG. 5 illustrates a set of keyframes for a motion clip for an animated character performing a “tic-tac” motion sequence.

FIG. 6. illustrates a constraint graph for the tic-tac motion in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A illustrates contact surfaces of environmental geo

Claims

1. A method of identifying locations in a virtual environment where a motion sequence can be performed by an animated character, the method comprising: accessing the motion sequence for the animated character performed in a first environment; identifying a plurality of contact locations in the motion sequence where the animated character contacts surfaces in the first environment; accessing the virtual environment comprising a plurality of surfaces; identifying the locations in the virtualenvironment where the motion sequence can be performed by the animated character by identifying surfaces in the plurality of surfaces that match the plurality of contact locationsin the first environment; and annotating the locations in the virtual environment where the motion sequence can be performed by the animated character. 9. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: accessing a motion sequence for an animated character performed in a first environment; identifying a plurality of contact locations in the motion sequence where the animated character contacts surfacesin the first environment; accessing a virtual environment comprising a plurality of surfaces; identifying locations in the virtual environment where the motion sequence can be performed by the animated character by identifying surfaces in the plurality of surfaces thatmatch the plurality of contact locations in the first environment; and annotating the locations in the virtual environment where the motion sequence can be performed by the animated character. 15. A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memory devices comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: accessing a motion sequence for ananimated character performed in a first environment; identifying a plurality of contact locations in the motion sequence where the animated character contacts surfaces in the first environment; accessing a virtual environment comprising a plurality of surfaces; identifying locations in the virtual environment where the motion sequence can be performed by the animated character by identifying surfaces in the plurality of surfaces that match the plurality of contact locations in the first environment; and annotating the locations in the virtual environment where the motion sequence can be performed by the animated character.