Asset-Based Animation Timeline for Touch Interface Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion editing software applications face challenges in representing multiple visual assets on animation timelines, leading to difficulties in distinguishing between overlapping and sequential assets, and in managing motion effects applied to single assets, especially when using touch-sensitive interfaces.
Innovation Solution
An asset-based animation timeline is introduced, which focuses on a selected visual asset, providing direct access to motion effects and allowing users to manipulate these effects through gestures, simplifying the interface and enhancing usability on touch-based devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple visual assets are represented on a single animation timeline, then the timeline can display comprehensive animation information, but it becomes difficult to distinguish between overlapping and sequential assets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the animation timeline into multiple individual timeline bars, with each bar representing a separate visual asset. This segmentation allows each asset to be displayed and manipulated independently, making it easier to distinguish between overlapping and sequential assets while still representing multiple assets on the same timeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical positioning as an additional dimension for organizing timeline bars. By arranging multiple asset timeline bars at different vertical positions, the system enables clear visual distinction between overlapping and sequential assets across multiple dimensions (horizontal time axis and vertical asset hierarchy).
2Manufacturing precision
If motion effects are applied to single visual assets, then the effects can be precisely controlled, but managing multiple motion effects becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple motion effects into a single integrated timeline bar for each visual asset. This consolidation allows users to manage multiple motion effects through one unified interface, reducing complexity while maintaining the ability to precisely control each effect's timing and parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The timeline bar is designed as a universal container that can hold multiple different types of motion effects (position, scale, rotation, opacity, etc.). This multi-functional design allows a single interface element to manage diverse motion effects, simplifying the user interface while preserving precise control capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If a simplified interface is used for touch-sensitive devices, then usability is enhanced, but access to detailed asset manipulation functionality may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic timeline bar interface that can expand and contract. In its compact form, it provides a simplified view suitable for touch interfaces. When expanded, it reveals detailed manipulation controls for position, scale, rotation, and other parameters, thus adapting to different user needs while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The timeline bar employs a nested structure where multiple levels of control are contained within a single interface element. The outer layer provides basic timeline manipulation, while inner nested layers contain detailed asset properties and motion effect parameters, allowing comprehensive functionality to be accessed through a simplified outer interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An asset-based animation timeline is provided that displays information for a selected visual asset, such as information associated with one or more motion effects which are applied to the asset. Because the asset-based animation timeline is configured to provide information for only the selected visual asset, complexities associated with overlapping assets, sequential assets, and large numbers of assets are eliminated. The asset-based animation timelines disclosed herein can be configured to provide direct access to tools that allow a user to manipulate the motion effects that are applied to a given asset and to add additional motion effects to a selected asset. Animation timelines for other assets included in a given animation production can be accessed by selecting a different asset from an animation canvas. A user can interact with the various asset-based animation timelines disclosed herein using gestures, thus making such embodiments particularly well-suited for implementation using a touch-based interface.