Animation Engine Blending Computer Animation Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for creating realistic computer animation, especially with multiple moving objects or characters, are time-consuming and prone to issues like jitter and unnatural movement due to the need for manual specification of constraints and point-by-point frame animation, which can result in less realistic and dynamic sequences.

Innovation Solution

An animation system determines how to blend animated sequences by calculating deviations between corresponding points on moving objects and using variable blending functions and windows, allowing for seamless transitions and reduced jitter by adjusting point positions based on distance and motion characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If point-by-point frame animation is used to specify object positions, then animation precision is improved, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanimation precisionVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores blend weights for each point on animated objects before actual animation playback. This preliminary computation allows the animation system to quickly retrieve and apply pre-computed blend weights during rendering, avoiding time-consuming calculations during real-time animation playback while maintaining precise control over object positions and movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If uniform blending window is used to join animated sequences, then blending simplicity is improved, but visual continuity deteriorates due to intersections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblending simplicityVSAvoidvisual continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system assigns different blend weights to different points on animated objects based on their individual characteristics and motion patterns. Instead of applying a uniform blending window across the entire object, each point receives customized blend weights that account for its specific deviation from the target position, preventing intersections and maintaining visual continuity while allowing simple implementation through point-wise independent processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If average point position is used for fast motion, then calculation simplicity is improved, but synchronization with character movement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation simplicityVSAvoidsynchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts blend weights based on the motion characteristics of each point, including its velocity, acceleration, and deviation from the character's movement. For fast-moving points, the blend weights are adjusted to reduce the influence of averaging, while for slower points, more aggressive blending is applied. This dynamic adaptation maintains synchronization with character movement while keeping calculations manageable through point-wise independent processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9214036B1Animation engine for blending computer animation data
Publication Date: 2015.12.15 PIXAR CORP
  • US9214036B1 patent drawing
  • US9214036B1 patent drawing
  • US9214036B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Computer-generated images are generated by evaluating point positions of points on animated objects in animation data. The point positions of the points are used by an animation system to determine how to blend animated sequences or frames of animated sequences in order to create realistic moving animated characters and animated objects. The methods of blending are based on determining distances or deviations between corresponding points and using blending functions with varying blending windows and blending functions that can vary from point to point on the animated objects.