Animation Variable Relocation Table for Hierarchical Rig Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer animation, animators face inefficiencies when modifying animation variables (avars) due to the need to traverse multiple nested layers of rigs, making it cumbersome and time-consuming to make changes, especially for small adjustments like modifying a finger rig, which requires navigating through a hierarchical structure.
Innovation Solution
The system allows for the relocation of animation variables using a relocation table, enabling animators to change the path locations of avars, making them more accessible and allowing modifications to propagate with customizable scope within the animation system, thereby simplifying the manipulation of animation variables and reducing the complexity of navigating through nested rig structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If animators traverse the hierarchical structure from human rig through body rig, torso rig, arm rig, hand rig to reach finger rig, then they can access and modify animation variables, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relocation table as an intermediary data structure that maps animation variable names to their actual hierarchical paths. This allows animators to access animation variables directly through simple names without traversing the complex hierarchical structure, effectively mediating between the user interface and the underlying rig hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy or representation of the animation variable hierarchy through the relocation table, which presents a simplified flat structure to animators while maintaining the actual hierarchical relationships in the background. This virtual copy allows direct access without physical navigation through multiple nested levels.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hierarchical structure is maintained for organizing rigs, then proper structure and organization are preserved, but modification propagation becomes complex and requires precise path management
Solution Approach 1:
The relocation table serves as a mediator that decouples the simple access interface from the complex hierarchical structure. It stores mapping information between animation variable names and their full hierarchical paths, allowing the system to maintain the stable hierarchical organization while simplifying the interface for modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex path management task into two parts: the relocation table handles path translation and mapping, while the actual rig hierarchy remains intact for structural organization. This segmentation allows each component to focus on its specific function without burden.
3Productivity
If animation variables are relocated to more accessible locations, then ease of modification improves, but path translation and relocation management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relocation table creates a virtual copy of the animation variable access interface that presents simplified paths while maintaining references to the actual hierarchical locations. This copying approach allows efficient access without requiring physical relocation of variables, and the translation management is handled automatically by the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic path translation using the relocation table. When animators reference animation variables through the simplified interface, the system automatically resolves the actual hierarchical paths and handles the translation transparently without requiring manual path management from animators.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for customizing animation variables and modifications to animation variables in an animation system are provided. An animated model may be comprised of a hierarchical structure of rigs and sub-rigs. An animator may customize the location of animation variables within the hierarchical structure through a relocation operation from an original position to a relocated position. The animation system identifies the relocation operation, resulting in an association being generated between the original position and the relocated position. Modifications made to animation variables in the animation system may be received by the animation system and the animator can customize the scope of the modification and its application to the animated model or animated scene.