METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF ENRICHING BLENDSHAPE RIGS WITH PHYSICAL SIMULATION

Number: 20180130245
Published: 2018-05-10
Filed: 2016-11-09
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.; ETH Zürich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich)
Inventors: Kozlov; Yeara; Thomaszewski; Bernhard; Beeler; Thabo; Bradley; Derek; Bächer; Moritz; Gross; Markus
CPC: G06T13/40
Verdict: High Notable software
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Blendshape rig physical-simulation enrichment [inventor watchlist match].

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer-readable memory are provided for determining time-varying anatomical and physiological tissue characteristics of an animation rig. For example, shape and material properties are defined for a plurality of sample configurations of the animation rig. The shape and material properties are associated with the plurality of sample configurations. An animation of the animation rig is obtained, and one or more configurations of the animation rig are determined for one or more frames of the animation. The determined one or more configurations include shape and material properties, and are determined using one or more sample configurations of the animation rig. A simulation of the animation rig is performed using the determined one or more configurations. Performing the simulation includes computing physical effects for addition to the animation of the animation rig.

Background

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to enriching blendshape rigs with physical effects. For example, a blendshape rig can be enhanced by introducing a volumetric mesh and material parameters to the blendshape rig.BACKGROUND

Whether stunningly realistic or artistically stylized, high-quality facial animation is a pivotal element for providing compelling characters in contemporary filmmaking. An important part of providing a believable digital performance is the consistency between the primary motion of the head and the secondary motion of the facial tissue that is induced by the head motion. While even subtle dynamics during speech can add greatly to the realism of an animation, secondary motion cannot be neglected for performances involving running, jumping, and other forms of rapid motion. The difficulty of combining artist-directed animation with physics-based simulation has so far prevented the widespread use of simulation for facial animation.SUMMARY

Techniques and systems are described for enriching blendshape rigs with dynamic physical simulation to provide physical effects. Physical effects can include secondary motion, such as motion of tissue caused by motion of a body part (e.g., cheek tissue moving up and down as a person performs a fast up-down running motion). A layer of physical simulation can be added on top of an input animation sequence (e.g., including a blendshape animation). For example, using input blendshapes and, in some exa

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of determining time-varying anatomical and physiological tissue characteristics of an animation rig, comprising: defining shape and material properties for a plurality of sample configurations of the animation rig; associating the shape and material properties with the plurality of sample configurations; obtaining an animation of the animation rig; determining one or more configurations of the animation rig for one or more frames of the animation, the determined one or more configurations including shape and material properties, wherein the one or more configurations are determined using one or more sample configurations of the animation rig; and performing a simulation of the animation rig using the determined one or more configurations, wherein performing the simulation includes computing physical effects for addition to the animation of the animation rig. 11. A computer-readable memory storing a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions that cause the one or more processors to: define shape and material properties for a plurality of sample configurations of the animation rig; associate the shape and material properties with the plurality of sample configurations; obtain an animation of the animation rig; determine one or more configurations of the animation rig for one or more frames of the animation, the determined one or more configurations including shape and material properties, wherein the one or more configurations are determined using one or more sample configurations of the animation rig; and perform a simulation of the animation rig using the determined one or more configurations, wherein performing the simulation includes computing physical effects for addition to the animation of the animation rig. 20. A system for determining time-varying anatomical and physiological tissue characteristics of an animation rig, comprising: a memory storing a plurality of instructions; and one or more processors configurable to: define shape and material properties for a plurality of sample configurations of the animation rig; associate the shape and material properties with the plurality of sample configurations; obtain an animation of the animation rig; determine one or more configurations of the animation rig for one or more frames of the animation, the determined one or more configurations including shape and material properties, wherein the one or more configurations are determined using one or more sample configurations of the animation rig; and perform a simulation of the animation rig using the determined one or more configurations, wherein performing the simulation includes computing physical effects for addition to the animation of the animation rig.