Client/server-based animation software, systems and methods

Abstract

Various embodiments of the invention provide novel software, systems and methods for animation and / or filmmaking. In a set of embodiments, for example, a client-server system provides the ability to control various aspects of a live-action and / or an animated scene, including cameras and / or light sources (either real and / or virtual), animated characters, and other objects. This can include, merely by way of example, moving cameras, light and / or the like, as well as rendering animated objects (e.g., based on movements of the objects themselves and / or based on movements of cameras, lights, etc.).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present disclosure may be related to the following commonly assigned applications / patents: [0002] This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 623,414 filed Oct. 28, 2004 by Alvarez et al. and entitled “Client / Sever-Based Animation Software.”[0003] This application also claims priority from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 623,415 filed Oct. 28, 2004 by Alvarez et al. and entitled “Control Having Interchangeable Coordinate Control Systems.”[0004] This application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on a date even herewith by Alvarez et al. and entitled “Camera and Animation Controller, Systems and Methods.”[0005] The respective disclosures of these applications / patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.COPYRIGHT STATEMENT [0006] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0029] Various embodiments of the invention provide novel software, systems and methods for animation and/or filmmaking. In a set of embodiments, for example, a client-server system provides the ability to control various aspects of a live-action and/or an animated scene, including cameras and/or lig...

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, users may suffer long delays while waiting for a scene to be rendered by the server(s).

Such systems present significant limitations.

For instance, the traditional server-based animation systems fail to take maximum advantage of available computing resources.

While most artists have relatively high-performance workstations, systems that render animations at a server often fail to take full advantage of the processing available on the workstation.

Conversely, systems that rely on the workstation to perform the animation and rendering fail to take advantage of a principle strength of server-class computers: high performance file input / output.

Moreover, client-based animation systems make the management of data (including version control, security of intellectual property, etc.) quite cumbersome.

These incompatible variations are a direct result of the local temporary storage of the modified data.

When it is remembered that the final animation project is typically composed of many man years of effort, the presence of incompatible variations can present severe complication.

Additionally, modern animation includes the use of expensive tools and processes to generate models of the three-dimensional shapes describing objects or characters used in the animation.

Local unsupervised and inconsistent modification of the models in checked out animation data can occur.

Furthermore, both animation software and the work product of the animators is subject to a high risk of piracy.

Hence, existing systems, which generally concentrate the animation and rendering tasks together on either a server or a client, suffer significant drawbacks.

It is understood in the art that in, many situations, the generation of the model can be extraordinarily expensive.

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