Animation Texture Packing for Single-Sample Vertex Rendering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current animation rendering technologies face inefficiencies in storing and sampling animation data through textures, particularly in methods like GPU Skin Instance, leading to high hardware demands due to multiple texture samplings, especially in large-scale simulations.

Innovation Solution

The method combines vertex position and normal information into a single texture file using an RGBAHalf format, where vertex position information occupies 8 bits in each of the R, G, and B channels, and normal information occupies 2 bits in each of these channels and the A channel, reducing the need for multiple texture samplings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If animation data is stored in separate texture files for vertex position and normal information, then each texture can be optimized for its specific data type, but multiple texture samplings are required during rendering which increases hardware bandwidth pressure and reduces rendering efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage precisionVSAvoidrendering efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges vertex position information and normal information into a single texture file called Animation Texture. The texture uses an RGBAHalf format where RGB channels store vertex position data and the A channel stores normal information. This consolidation allows both types of animation data to be retrieved through a single texture sampling operation during rendering, eliminating the need for multiple separate samplings and reducing hardware bandwidth pressure while maintaining data precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If multiple texture samplings are performed to retrieve vertex position and normal information, then accurate animation data can be obtained, but hardware bandwidth pressure increases and rendering time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanimation data completenessVSAvoidrendering time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The Animation Texture combines vertex position and normal information in a single texture file using RGBAHalf format. The RGB channels contain vertex position data while the A channel contains normal information. During rendering, a single texture sampling operation retrieves both types of animation data simultaneously, ensuring data completeness while reducing rendering time by eliminating multiple sampling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If animation data is packaged into textures using conventional methods, then skin instance rendering can be achieved, but the storing efficiency is low due to the need for multiple separate texture files

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskininstance rendering capabilityVSAvoiddata storing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a unified Animation Texture that stores both vertex position and normal information in a single file using RGBAHalf format. This single texture file replaces the need for multiple separate texture files, improving data storing efficiency while maintaining the adaptability required for skininstance rendering of large numbers of soldiers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The Animation Texture serves multiple functions: it stores vertex position information for animation, stores normal information for shading, and enables skininstance rendering capability. By making the texture multi-functional, the system achieves efficient data storage without sacrificing rendering versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4254341B1Method and apparatus for animation rendering, electronic device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 BEIJING ELEX TECH
  • EP4254341B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4254341B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4254341B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Provided is a method and apparatus for animation rendering, an electronic device, and a storage medium. The method for animation rendering includes: in a vertex animation mode, acquiring vertex position information and normal information from a same first texture file, wherein the vertex position information occupies a part of an R channel, a part of a G channel and a part of a B channel, and the normal information occupies another part of the R channel, another part of the G channel, another part of the B channel, and an A channel; and performing animation rendering according to the vertex position information and the normal information.