Visual effects apparatus

Abstract

A visual effects apparatus is disclosed comprising: a support surface 3 which is configured to support one or more models 5, a display 7 which is positioned adjacent to the support surface, the displa

Description

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a visual effects apparatus, visual effects system and a method. Background to the Invention In the movie and film industry, it is standard practice to use virtual backdrops to simulate actors and other elements being in specific locations or settings. This long-established, cost-effective method of visual media production reduces the need to travel to physical locations. However, problems can arise when virtual backgrounds, including virtual assets, are created prior to their intended use. Once implemented, there can be a disparity between the created virtual background and the desired implementation. This often leads to time-consuming and costly post-production work to address these disparities. Not all productions can afford or implement these fixes due to budget and time constraints. Furthermore, as a relatively new field, virtual production frequently encounters unforeseen technical issues. Currently, producers must put contingency plans in place to minimize disruptions and delays, which can be costly and may deter producers from using virtual production. The present invention seeks to address the industry's inability to visualize extended virtual environments during early preproduction, aiming to achieve an integrated workflow. This limitation often results in an inability to accurately cost or predict the outcomes of integrated virtual production projects. Crucial decisions are frequently left to post-production, which can make the use of virtual environments or elements undesirable for many producers, directors, art directors, and key decisionmakers. This can limit the resources available, leading to creative restrictions or increased environmental impact due to extensive travel to physical locations. This invention provides tools to explore the entire design landscape, both physical and virtual, without requiring early visual effects (VFX) input or the associated costs, specialized training, and manpower of a dedicated VFX department. Instead, it offers accessible, malleable virtual worlds alongside traditional art department tools. It democratizes advanced post-production by providing scalable and affordable access to traditionally inaccessible post-production tools and resources. Accordingly, it is the aim of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies. Summary of the Invention A first aspect of the present invention provides a visual effects apparatus, the visual effects apparatus comprising: A support surface which is configured to support one or more models; A display which is positioned adjacent to the support surface, the display being configured to present visual content; A sensor means which is configured to acquire data relating to the display and / or support surface; and A visual effects module, which is communicatively coupled to the display and the sensor means, wherein the visual effects module is configured to alter the visual content presented on the display based on the acquired data. Preferably, wherein the support surface comprises a table top and wherein the support surface comprises a model placement area. Ideally, wherein the display is integrated into or mounted upon the support surface such as to provide the visual content relative to the models located on the support surface. Preferably, wherein the display comprises a plurality of displays which are coupled or otherwise arranged together such that the visual content is displayed in a substantially seamless manner across the plurality of displays. Ideally, wherein the display is positioned at or substantially near the perimeter of the support surface and extends along the perimeter of the support surface at least in part. Preferably, wherein the one or more models comprise a physical model comprising at least one of miniatures, scaled representations, figurines, augmented reality maker or other interactive object. Ideally, wherein the sensor means is configured to monitor and detect changes in one or more characteristics of the models on the support surface. Preferably, wherein the sensor means comprises a camera or other imaging device. Ideally, wherein the visual content provided on the display is provided as a 3D background relative to the support surface. Preferably, wherein the camera is movable relative to the display and the support surface and wherein the visual effects module is configured to adjust the 3D background content presented on the display in response to the movement of the camera, thereby creating a parallax effect that simulates movement within the 3D environment. Ideally, wherein display is movable relative to the camera and the support surface and wherein the visual effects module is configured to adjust the 3D background content presented on the display in response to the movement of the display, thereby creating a parallax effect that simulates movement within the 3D environment. Preferably, wherein the parallax effect is further dynamically adjusted based on one or more characteristics of the models on the support surface as detected by the sensor means. Ideally, wherein the one or more characteristics comprise one or more of the type, size, location and / or orientation of the models on the support surface. Preferably, the apparatus further comprising an input means which is configured to alter the visual content presented on the display. Ideally, wherein the input means comprises a physical controller which is provided on the support surface. Preferably, wherein the sensor means is communicatively coupled to a sensor controller which upon activation is configured to cause the sensors means to adopt a data acquisition state. A second aspect of the present invention a system for generating visual effects, the system comprising: A visual effects apparatus as recited in claim 1; and A remote computer which is communicatively coupled to the visual effects apparatus. A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for generating visual effects using the visual effects apparatus, the method comprising: Presenting visual content on a display positioned adjacent to the support surface; Acquiring data relating to the display and / or the support surface using a sensor means; Altering the visual content presented on the display using a visual effects module, wherein the alteration is based on the data acquired by the sensor means. These and other desires, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a visual effects system in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and Figure 2 shows a method of simulating visual effects using the system in accordance with a further aspect of the invention. Detailed Description Referring now by way of example only to the drawings, there is shown, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, a visual effects apparatus. The visual effects apparatus 1 defines a first aspect of the present invention. The visual effects apparatus 1 comprises a support surface 3 which is configured to support one or more models 5. The visual effects apparatus 1 further comprises a display 7 which is positioned adjacent to the support surface 3, the display 7 is configured to present visual content. In particular, the display 7 is typically arranged relative to the support surface 3 such that the visual content provided on the display 7 provides a virtual background relative to the support surface 3 and in particular to models 5 placed on the support surface 3 in front of the display 7. The apparatus 1 further comprises a sensor means 11 which is configured to acquire data relating to the display 7 and / or support surface 3. In this manner the display 7 and the visual content provided thereon defines a background whilst the support surface 3 and models 5 provided thereon define a foreground in-use. The visual effects apparatus 1 further comprises a visual effects module 9 which is communicatively coupled to the display 7 and the sensor means 11, wherein the visual effects module 9 provides the visual content to the display 7. Further, the visual effects module 9 is configured to alter the visual content presented on the display 7 based at least on the data acquired by the sensor means 11 relating to the display 7 and / or support surface 3. For example, the data relating to the support surface 3 may relate to the presence of one or more of the models 5 located on the support surface 3 and preferably, one or more characteristics of the models 5 located on the support surface 3. The one or more models 5 each typically comprise a physical model comprising at least one of miniatures, scaled representations, figurines, or interactive objects. The characteristics of the models 5 may comprise one or more of the type, size, location and / or orientation of the models 5 on the support surface. Additionally the visual content provided on the display 7 may also be altered by direct user input with the visual effects module 9. To this end, the visual effects module 9 typically comprises a computer or other similar processing apparatus running suitable software which is operable to provide the desired visual content. For example, the visual effects module 9 may comprise one or more of a microcontroller, a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone or any other suitable computing device. Accordingly, a person is able to make changes to the visual content provided on the display 7 through interaction with the visual effects module 9. Advantageously, the apparatus 1 provides means by which virtual backdrops can be simulated relative to models 5, which are typically to scale, such that the apparatus 1 provides means by which a film or television set can be virtually simulated prior to the creation of physical and / or virtual assets. This provides a cost effective approach to set design. The visual content provided on the display 7 for example is typically a three dimensional (3D) digital background. In particular the present invention makes the powerful tools of in-camera VFX accessible to a wider range of users, not just those with high budgets. Productions can undertake proof of concept visualisation, under the guidance of a creative team already employed in early pro-production without committing to the upfront costs previously attached to virtual production. The apparatus and system, configured for that specific project’s needs, allows producers to carefully weigh the cost-benefit analysis of virtual production against traditional methods without incurring large infrastructure, software and hardware costs. It also offers an opportunity for a small scale pilot project testing the 5 functionality of a chosen sequence, shedding light on potential issues the main project would encounter during large-scale implementation and offering a useable solution at a scale of 1:1. Referring again to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the support surface 3 typically comprises a table having a table top which may be supported by one or more supporting legs, or otherwise mounted relative to a support. To this end the support surface 3 is typically substantially rectangular in shape however it is not limited to this shape and can alternatively comprise any other suitable shape. The support surface 3 comprises a model placement area 4, wherein the model placement area 4 is a portion of the support surface 3 upon which the models 5 are placed. The model placement area 4 is typically a defined area of the support surface 3 and to this end the model placement area 4 is ideally distinct with respect to the remainder of the support surface 3 with the model placement area 4 typically being a smaller area within the area defined by the support surface 3. For example, the model placement area 4 may be visually and / or physically distinct with respect to the remainder of the support surface 3. The model placement area 4 is preferably a different material from the remainder of the support surface 3. For example, the model placement area 4 may be transparent or translucent or may comprise an electronic display which is responsive to the placement of the models 5 thereon. For example, the electronic display of the model placement area 4 may comprise a touch screen, either capacitive or resistive, which is responsive to the placement of the models 5 thereon, to this end the model placement area electronic display may be communicatively coupled to the visual effects module 9. The display 7 is typically integrated into or mounted to the support surface 3 such as to provide the visual content relative the support surface 3. To this end the display 7 is typically movably coupled to the support surface 3 such as to allow for variation in the location of the display 7 relative to the support surface 3 and / or models 5 located thereon. The display 7 is positioned at or substantially near the perimeter of the support surface 3 and typically extends along and / or around the perimeter of the support surface 3 at least in part. The display 7 preferably comprises a plurality of displays which are coupled or otherwise arranged together such that the visual content is displayed in a substantially seamless manner across the plurality of displays 7. See for example Figure 1 in which a plurality of displays 7 are arranged in contact with one another around the support surface 3. The displays 7 in Figures are arranged in a substantially L-shaped pattern relative to the support surface 3. The displays 7 are typically mounted substantially flush relative to the support surface 3. The apparatus 1 comprises one or more sensor means 11 communicatively coupled to the visual effects module 9, wherein the sensor means 11 is configured to acquire data relating to changes on the support surface 3, for example the sensor means 11 is typically configured monitor and detect changes on the support surface 3. In particular, the sensor means 11 is configured to monitor and detect the presence of the models 5, and characteristics thereof, on the support surface 3 and wherein the visual effects module 9 is configured to alter the visual content provided on the display 7 in response. The sensor means 11 comprises a camera or other imaging device such as shown in Figure 1. The sensor means 11 is preferably mounted to the support surface 3 in a manner such that the sensor means 11 is mounted opposing the display 7 such that the display 7, and the visual content displayed thereon, is presented as a background with the support surface 3 being positioned as the foreground with respect to the sensor means 11. As mentioned previously the sensor means 11 typically comprises a camera, which is communicatively coupled to the visual effects module 9, wherein the camera is configured to acquire images of the models 5 on the support surface 3 relative to visual content provided on the display 7, wherein these images are then provided to the visual effects module 9. The visual effects module 9 which is further communicatively coupled to the display 7, is configured to process the acquired images of the models 5 relative to visual content provided on the display 7 and make alterations to the visual content based on the characteristics of the models 5 relative to the visual content. For example, the scale of the visual content may be altered based on the scale of the models 5. Or in another instance the location of specific virtual assets present in the visual content may be altered depending on the locations of the models. In this manner, the apparatus 1 is able to provide means by which a pre-production instance of a set can be simulated virtually. The apparatus 1 may further comprise at least one controller 13 which is configured to alter the visual content presented on the display 7 in response to user input. The controller 13 is typically located on or adjacent to the support surface 3. The controller 13 typically comprises an input device which a user can manipulate to alter the visual content on the display 7. In particular, the controller 13 enables a user to adjust virtual assets provided in the visual content provided on the display 7 in real-time. For example, the user may alter one or more of the type, size, location and / or orientation of the virtual assets using the controller 13. To this end, the controller 13 typically comprises a hardware peripheral which is mounted or otherwise coupled to the support surface 3. Alternatively the controller 13 may be integrated within the support surface 3. The sensor means 11 may also comprise a sensor controller 15 using which the sensor means 11 can be activated to acquire data in response. For, example where the sensor means 11 comprises a camera (such as shown in Figure 1) the controller 13 may control the operation of the camera in terms of when to acquire an image and / or video such that specific snapshots of the particular arrangement of support surface 3 with models 5 located thereon relative to the visual content provided on the display 8 may be obtained. The visual effects apparatus 1 may further comprise one or more remote computing devices 101 which are communicatively coupled thereto, typically to at least the visual effects module 9 thereof, such as to define a visual effects system 100 which embodies a second aspect of the present invention. The remote computing device 101 may be configured to alter the visual content presented on the display 7 and may additionally be configured to receive the data acquired by the sensor means 11. The present invention provides means by which a digital set extension may be simulated prior to physical implementation. In-use the invention may be implemented in a plurality of different stages. Configure Display Initially, the user of the apparatus 1 must determine the desired placement of the display 7, and in particular the visual content provided thereon, relative to the sensor means 11, typically comprising a camera. To this end the sensor means 11 is configured to track the positioning of the display 7 and the visual content provided thereon relative to the sensor means 11 and / or vice versa. The visual content provided on the display 7 is typically a 3D digital background which is rendered by the visual effects module 9. The 3D digital background provided on the display 7 may be altered based on the positioning of the camera 11 relative to the display and / or the positioning of the display 7 relative to the camera 11 such that a parallax effect is created that simulates movement within the 3D digital background. Advantageously, this allows the user to simulate how different scenes, and snapshots thereof, will appear in practice with the 3D background provided on the display 7 changing in realtime as the camera 11 adjusts it’s position relative to models 5 placed on the support surface 3. The visual content provided on the display 7 may be altered based on the position of the camera 11 relative to the display 7. For example, the images acquired by the camera when its position is altered may be transmitted to the visual effects module 9, which is configured to simultaneously alter the visual content provided on the display 7. To this end the visual effects module 9 typically comprises pre-programmed instructions which define what visual content is to be provided to the display when the camera adopts a plurality of different positions. Additionally or alternatively, the visual content provided on the display 7 may be altered based on the positon of the display 7 relative to the camera 11. For example, the images of the position of the display 7 acquired by the camera may be transmitted to the visual effects module 9, which is configured to simultaneously alter the visual content provided on the display 7 in response. To this end the visual effects module 9 typically comprises pre-programmed instructions which define what visual content is to be provided to the display when the display 7 adopts a plurality of different positions. In both of the above instances, the visual effects module 9 comprises a computer readable medium having instructions provided thereon, which is stored in memory, typically in the form of a software program having pre-programed instructions which dictate what visual content is to be provided to the display 7 when the sensor means 11 and / or display 7 adopt a plurality of different positons respectively. Additionally, or alternatively, the placement of models 5 The apparatus 1, advantageously by the manipulation of the position of the sensor means 11 and or display 7 allows users to explore / determine the desired visual content positioning by letting them adjust and test the position of the display 7 that is being tracked in 3D space. The tracking provides the spatial data for the software, provided as part of the visual effects module 9 to, in real-time, update the visual content provided on the display 7 such that the display 7 “inherits” and projects the adjacent digital background. This gives the visual impression to a view as if creating a constantly 8 refreshing window into the digital background provided by the visual content on the display 7. This arrangement allows the users to explore the best solution / vantage to integrate intended foreground builds with an extended digital backdrop. This also typically involves placing the models 5 on the support surface 3 in front of the display 7 projecting the digital backdrop. If the user intends to shoot against known Volume Studio LED Walls we provide stencilled layouts for the studio’s primary configurations (screen placements) to assist with the tracked display 7 placements. Build the Environment Once the desired placement of the display 7 relative to the sensor means 11 and / or support surface 2 has been determined the user can begin to develop the physical foreground on the support surface 3 along with digital backdrop provided by the visual content on the display 7. Unlike conventional art department model (Architectural Miniatures) staging, the present invention and in particular the visual effects apparatus 1 comprises a controller 13 which comprises proprietary hardware (novel arrangement of computer hardware coupled to new 3D Peripherals, akin to a 3D Mouse) and new software tools, to allow users to access and manipulate the adjacent digital background, and elements thereof, provided on the display 7 in real-time. The digital background provided as visual content on the display 7 can be an arrangement of Art Department digital assets, Digital Concept Art and early VFX ASSETS. It is common practice to use scaled models in an art department to access and modify intended set build arrangements. These models 5 are then placed on the support surface 3 to give a realistic interpretation of physical real-world assets from both a size and lighting perspective. The visual effects apparatus 1, with the use of the controller 13 comprising a 3D Peripheral (akin to a 3D Mouse) communicatively coupled to the visual effects module 9 which typically runs the software tools, which allows the user to effect adjustments in the digital landscape as well. The sensor means 11 typically comprising a camera, is typically communicative with software provided on the visual effects module 9, the software typically being Game Engine technology. This arrangement maintains a parallax relationship between the physical assets, i.e. the models 5, located on the support surface 3 and the digital backdrop provided on the display 7 to ensure a more immersive experience provide an integrated solution between foreground elements (intended physical build represented on the support surface 3 by the models 5) and the digital assets provided as the visual content on the display 7 which provide the VFX Set Extension. Additionally, adjustments made to the visual content and the support surface 3, by the locating of the models 5, can be broadcast to the remote computing device 101. The remote computing device 101 typically comprises another department within the production environment, and effected changes can be captured and exported at any point as desired, for example snapshots of the support surface 3 9 having models 5 located thereon relative to the visual content provided on the display 7 can be acquired using the camera of the sensor means 11. This could include notifying other departments which are producing physical versions of virtual assets and the like, for example it could include notifying VFX of changes to their Set Extensions, drafting department of changes to physical build layouts and / or VP stages of preferred LED Wall and Wild Wall arrangements. As mentioned previously digital assets of the visual content can be moved, rotated, swapped out, duplicated and added to the background digital landscape provided as part of the visual content using the controller 13 comprising easy to operate hardware peripherals. Advantageously, this allows for users with no 3D application knowledge or training to shape the digital landscape to conform to the intended physical builds. The controller 13 typically comprising the 3D Peripheral is a device akin to a 3D mouse, with isolated axes of manipulation for ease of use while maintaining accuracy. Coupled with software tools, provided on the visual effects module 9 it enables a user to adjust assets in the digital background projected on the display 7. The controller 13 has been specifically configured for this vantage as opposed to virtual devices used inside of 3D applications, in order to make the virtual asset manipulation feel as intuitive as possible. Shot Building and Planning With the visual content perspective relative to the sensor means 11 having been determined the visual effects apparatus 1 and system 100 can be used to stage and plan shots. Advantageously, the parallax maintained by the apparatus 1 provides a unique immersive visualization experience previously only available in large resource expensive LED Volumes (against built full scale sets). Further advantageously, the apparatus 1 allows for minute adjustment of the models 5 and visual content on the display 7 in real time which can in turn be quickly captured and broadcast to relevant parties. This enables different scenes and different viewpoints to be simulated quickly and easily as minute adjustments to the sensor means 11, the models 5 and / or the visual content provided as a background can be captured instantaneously. To this end physical elements such as the models 5 can be adjusted by hand while digital assets provided as the visual content on the display 7 can be adjusted with the controller 13 and / or by the visual effects module 9 and / or by the remote computing device 101. In particular the remote computing device 11 may comprise a plurality of remote computing devices 101 which are communicatively coupled, by wired or wireless transmission means, to the visual effects apparatus 1. The remote computing device 101 enables multi user input as digital assets in the visual content can be adjust in real time by remote users such as by offsite VFX houses. Further, images and / or videos acquired by the sensor means 11 of the arrangement of models 5 on the support surface 3 relative to the visual content provided on the display 7 which are recorded at different instances during the planning stages can be shared with relevant departments as a vital part of early physical production preparation. Adjustments to the screen configuration including wild walls (movable wall on a LED stage) can be broadcast live to the VP Supervisor. Final VFX assets can be loaded into the background as part of the visual content on the display 7 to be tested and adjusted against locked physical builds. The visual effects apparatus 1 can be configured to include a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) element (not shown). The virtual reality element may include VR output and / or foreground (i.e. support surface 3) composited VFX elements. The VR element may comprise a VR module which is communicatively coupled to or part of the visual effects module 9. The VR module may be configured to receive a real-time optical feed of the apparatus 1, and present it in a manner suitable for a VR enabled 3D environment so that users using a VR headset of their choice can visit the 3D environment as a VR experience. To this end the VR feed of the visual effects apparatus may be provided to a local user via a suitable output to a VR headset provided on the apparatus 1 itself, and / or the VR feed may be provided to one or more of the remote computing device 101. The VR module isolates chosen 3D assets in the visual content and, utilizing the same sensor means 11, comprising camera tracking data, composites them into the output image visible Table’s Monitor. The AR element may be provided as part of or as the models 5. To this end, the models 5 may comprise a marker (not shown) which when provided to the visual effects module 9, in the data obtained by the sensor means 11, is configured to cause the visual effects module 9 to generate a suitable AR asset in the visual content on the display 7 or to a suitably coupled AR headset. Feeding into physical production Whilst the visual effects apparatus 1 provides a suitably scaled solution in the art department, all of the digital assets it represents are maintained at 1 to 1 real world scale. Enabling adjustments to propagate into the real world physical builds. Further when paired with an existing visual production Studio, the visual effects apparatus 1 and system 100 can be configured to broadcast its determined visual content to the intended stage for immediate 1 to 1 real world inspection. Further for practical considerations, digital landscapes and art department determinations, made in early preproduction can be used to secure VFX vender bids, in a far more planned and plotted consideration than was previously possible. Further the visual effects apparatus and system 1, 100 used in pre-production can be integrated into volume stages allowing users to adjust assets against the wall with the same familiar tool. Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown generally indicated by the reference numeral 200 a method for generating visual effects using the visual effects apparatus 1. In particular the method 200 comprises: presenting visual content on a display positioned adjacent to the support surface 201; acquiring data relating to the display and / or the support surface using a sensor means 203; altering the visual content presented on the display using a visual effects module, wherein the alteration is based on the data acquired by the sensor means 205. It will be understood that what has been described herein is an exemplary visual effects apparatus and system. While the present teaching has been described with reference to exemplary arrangements it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the teaching to such arrangements as modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teaching. It will be understood that while exemplary features of a distributed network system in accordance with the present teaching have been described that such an arrangement is not to be construed as limiting the invention to such features. The method of the present teaching may be implemented in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. In one mode, the method is implemented in software, as an executable program, and is executed by one or more special or general purpose digital computer(s), such as a personal computer (PC; IBM-compatible, Apple-compatible, or otherwise), personal digital assistant, workstation, minicomputer, or mainframe computer. The steps of the method may be implemented by a server or computer in which the software modules reside or partially reside. Generally, in terms of hardware architecture, such a computer will include, as will be well understood by the person skilled in the art, a processor, memory, and one or more input and / or output (I / O) devices (or peripherals) that are communicatively coupled via a local interface. The local interface can be, for example, but not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. The local interface may have additional elements, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enable communications. Further, the local interface may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the other computer components. The processor(s) may be programmed to perform the functions of the first, second, third and fourth modules as described above. The processor(s) is a hardware device for executing software, particularly software stored in memory. Processor(s) can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with a computer, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a microprocessor, or generally any device for executing software instructions. Memory is associated with processor(s) and can include any one or a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, memory may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media. Memory can have a distributed architecture where various components are situated remote from one another, but are still accessed by processor(s). The software in memory may include one or more separate programs. The separate programs comprise ordered listings of executable instructions for implementing logical functions in order to implement the functions of the modules. In the example of heretofore described, the software in memory includes the one or more components of the method and is executable on a suitable operating system (O / S). The present teaching may include components provided as a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When a source program, the program needs to be translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory, so as to operate properly in connection with the O / S. Furthermore, a methodology implemented according to the teaching may be expressed as (a) an object oriented programming language, which has classes of data and methods, or (b) a procedural programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and / or functions, for example but not limited to, C, C++, Pascal, Basic, Fortran, Cobol, Perl, Java, Json and Ada. When the method is implemented in software, it should be noted that such software can be stored on any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer related system or method. In the context of this teaching, a computer readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer related system or method. Such an arrangement can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch process the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" can be any means that can store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. Any process descriptions or blocks in the Figures should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present teaching, particularly, any "preferred" embodiments, are possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles. Many variations and modifications may be made to the abovedescribed embodiment(s) without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the present teaching. All such modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims. The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A visual effects apparatus, the visual effects apparatus comprising:A support surface which is configured to support one or more models;5 A display which is positioned adjacent to the support surface, the display being configured topresent visual content;A sensor means which is configured to acquire data relating to the display and / or support surface; andA visual effects module, which is communicatively coupled to the display and the sensor 10 means, wherein the visual effects module is configured to alter the visual content presented on the display based on the acquired data.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support surface comprises a table top and wherein the support surface comprises a model placement area.

153. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the display is integrated into or mounted upon the support surface such as to provide the visual content relative to the models located on the support surface.20 4. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the display comprises a plurality of displays which are coupled or otherwise arranged together such that the visual content is displayed in a substantially seamless manner across the plurality of displays.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the display is positioned at or substantially near 25 the perimeter of the support surface and extends along the perimeter of the support surface at least in part.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more models comprise a physical model comprising at least one of miniatures, scaled representations, figurines, augmented reality 30 maker or other interactive object.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sensor means is configured to monitor and detect changes in one or more characteristics of the models on the support surface.35 8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sensor means comprises a camera or other imaging device.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the visual content provided on the display is provided as a 3D background relative to the support surface.24 06 2510. The apparatus of claims 8 and 9, wherein the camera is movable relative to the display and the support surface and wherein the visual effects module is configured to adjust the 3D background content presented on the display in response to the movement of the camera, thereby creating a parallax effect that simulates movement within the 3D environment.

511. The apparatus of claims 8, 9 and 10, wherein display is movable relative to the camera and the support surface and wherein the visual effects module is configured to adjust the 3D background content presented on the display in response to the movement of the display, thereby creating a parallax effect that simulates movement within the 3D environment.1012. The apparatus of claims 7 and 10 or 11, wherein the parallax effect is further dynamically adjusted based on one or more characteristics of the models on the support surface as detected by the sensor means.15 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the one or more characteristics comprise one or more of the type, size, location and / or orientation of the models on the support surface.

14. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising an input means which is configured to alter the visual content presented on the display.2015. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the input means comprises a physical controller which is provided on the support surface.

16. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sensor means is communicatively coupled to 25 a sensor controller which upon activation is configured to cause the sensors means to adopt a data acquisition state.

17. A system for simulating visual effects, the system comprising:A visual effects apparatus as recited in claim 1; and30 A remote computer which is communicatively coupled to the visual effects apparatus.

18. A method for generating visual effects using the visual effects apparatus as recited in claim 1, the method comprising:Presenting visual content on the display positioned adjacent to the support surface when 35 one or more models are located on the support surface;Acquiring data relating to the display and / or the support surface using the sensor means;Altering the visual content presented on the display using the visual effects module, wherein the alteration is based on the data acquired by the sensor means.

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