A progressive 3D sculpting tool that stores time-based sculpted changes as offsets/fixes rather than overwriting the original geometry.
The disclosure provides an approach for progressively sculpting three-dimensional (3D) geometry. In one configuration, a sculpting application receives time-based sculpts and stores the sculpted changes from the original geometry, referred to herein as “offsets,” in “fixes” which include (time, offsets) pairs, with the offsets being defined in relation to a reference frame. Each fix may further be associated with a “set” which includes portions of the geometry that are managed together. The sculpting application automatically provides smooth transitions between sculpts by applying scatter-data interpolation to interpolate the offsets of successive fixes, thereby generating new offsets for frames in betweenuser-provided fixes. Further, the user may modify an envelope curve for a set to scale offsets, including offsets in fixes and those automatically generated through interpolation.In addition, tools are disclosed herein that permit a user to manipulate offsets, as opposed to manipulating the geometry itself.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to various aspects, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary configurations and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, may admit to other equally effective configurations.(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an approach for sculpting and managing time-based shape changes, according to an aspect of this disclosure.(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an outlineruser interface, according to an aspect of this disclosure.(4) FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a user interface for sculpting fixes, according to an aspect of this disclosure.(5) FIG. 4 illustrates example applications of the reset and zero brushes, according to an aspect of this disclosure.(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface for managing transitions between sculpts, according to an aspect of this disclosure.(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a method for progressively sculpting 3D geometry, according to an aspect of this disclosure.(8) FIG.7 illustrates a system in which an aspect of this disclosure may be implemented.(9) To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is conte
1. A computer-implemented method for progressively sculpting three-dimensional (3D) virtual geometry in a computer-generated animation with a plurality of frames, comprising: receiving one or more sets defined by a user, wherein each set specifies portions of the 3D virtual geometry managed together; receiving digital sculpting of the 3D virtual geometry; storing the sculpted 3D virtual geometryas fixes, wherein each fix includes a respective time and one or more offsets specifying differences between the 3D virtual geometry before and after the sculpting at the respective time, and wherein each fix is associated with one of the sets defined by the user; providing a reset brush which reduces a magnitude of offsets to a previous mesh by coming intocontact with the 3D virtual geometry; providing a zero brush which removes interpolated offsets and reduces the magnitude of offsets back to an original mesh based on the zero brush coming into contact with the 3D virtual geometry; providing an offset slider used to blend a current sculpt with offsets that are chronologically next or prior; and rendering the animation by a computer processor based on the fixes and interpolations between the fixes.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program, which, when executed by a processor performs operations for progressively sculpting three-dimensional (3D) virtual geometry in an animation with a plurality of frames, the operations comprising: receiving one or more sets defined by a user, wherein each set specifies portions of the 3D virtual geometry managed together, wherein each set is associated with a respective value of an envelope curve; receiving digital sculpting of the 3D virtual geometry; storing the sculpted 3D virtual geometry as fixes, wherein each fix includes a respective time and one or more offsets specifying differences between the 3D virtual geometry before and afterthe sculpting at the respective time, and wherein each fix is associated with one of the sets defined by the user; providing a reset brush which reduces a magnitude of offsets to a previous mesh by coming into contact with the 3D virtual geometry; providing a zero brush which removes interpolated offsets and reduces the magnitude of offsets back to an original mesh based on the zero brush coming into contact with the 3D virtual geometry; providing an offset slider used to blend a current sculpt with offsets that are chronologically next or prior; and rendering the animation by a computer processor based on the fixes and interpolations between the fixes.
17. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory, wherein the memory includes an application program configured to perform operations for progressively sculpting three-dimensional (3D) virtual geometry in an animation with a pluralityof frames, the operations comprising: receiving one or more sets defined by a user, wherein each set specifies portions of the 3D virtual geometry managed together; receiving digital sculpting of the 3D virtual geometry; storing the sculpted 3D virtual geometry as fixes, wherein each fix includes a respective time and one or more offsets specifying differences between the 3D virtual geometry before and after the sculpting at the respective time,and wherein each fix is associated with one of the sets defined by the user; providing a reset brush which reduces a magnitude of offsets to a previous mesh by coming into contactwith the 3D virtual geometry; providing a zero brush which removes interpolated offsets and reduces the magnitude of offsets back to an original mesh based on the zero brush coming into contact with the 3D virtual geometry; providing an offset slider used to blend a current sculpt with offsets that are chronologically next or prior; and rendering the animation by a computer processor based on the fixes and interpolations between the fixes.