Image Processing Apparatus for Natural Hair Animation via Angular Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating realistic computer graphics animations, particularly for hair, are limited by the need for high polygon densities, which can lead to processing inefficiencies and increased costs due to manual modeling with expensive tools like three-dimensional scanners and pointers.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that designates areas for processing, calculates angular velocities based on distance from a reference, and uses these velocities to change images within those areas, allowing for more natural and real-looking animations without the need for high polygon densities, utilizing area designating, delay amount setting, angular velocity calculating, and changing means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If polygon size is reduced to improve representation quality, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to larger number of polygons requiring processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hair area into multiple regions and processes each region independently using image processing techniques rather than treating all polygons uniformly. This allows selective refinement where needed while maintaining efficiency in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional polygon-based mechanical modeling with image processing-based deformation methods. By using angular velocity calculations and image warping techniques, the system achieves realistic hair movement without requiring dense polygon meshes, thus improving both quality and processing efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual modeling with expensive tools is used to improve manufacturing precision, then representation quality is improved, but cost increases due to expensive equipment and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image copying and processing techniques to create realistic hair representations. By capturing and processing images of actual hair and applying deformation based on angular velocity, the system achieves photorealistic results without requiring expensive manual modeling tools or three-dimensional scanning equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes images automatically using computational algorithms for angular velocity calculation and image warping. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual intervention by expensive operators using costly equipment, thereby reducing both labor costs and equipment requirements while maintaining high modeling accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes the following elements. An area designating unit designates an area to be processed from an input image. A delay amount setting unit sets an amount of delay in the area to be processed according to a distance from a reference position in the image. An angular velocity calculating unit calculates angular velocities at a predetermined position in images. An angular velocity storage unit stores records of the angular velocities calculated by the angular velocity calculating unit. A reading unit reads an angular velocity calculated at a time that is prior to a current time by the amount of delay set by the delay amount setting unit from the angular velocity storage unit when the image is changed within the area to be processed. A changing unit changes the image within the area to be processed using the angular velocity read by the reading unit.