Look-Selector Node Dependency Graph Rendering

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Solution Overview

Problem

In computer-generated animation, managing consistent lighting conditions for animated characters with multiple visual appearances is challenging due to redundant lighting setups and increased complexity, as each visual appearance requires separate lighting configurations.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a dependency graph with a look-selector node to select and apply a single active look for a computer-generated object, allowing the same lighting configuration to be reused across different visual appearances, thereby simplifying the rendering process and reducing redundancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate lighting setups are created for each visual appearance, then each look can be rendered independently, but the complexity of managing lighting configurations increases and redundancy occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to render different visual appearancesVSAvoidComplexity of lighting configuration management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a single lighting configuration that serves multiple visual appearances (looks) of the same character. Instead of creating separate lighting setups for each look, the system allows one lighting configuration to be universally applied across different visual representations, reducing management complexity while maintaining rendering flexibility

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the lighting configuration management for multiple looks into a unified system. By combining the lighting setup into a single shared configuration that can be applied to different visual appearances, the system eliminates redundant lighting setups and simplifies the overall management structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If separate lighting setups are created for each visual appearance, then each look has dedicated lighting control, but redundant lighting setups increase processing overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveControl over lighting for each lookVSAvoidRendering efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting configuration is designed to be multi-functional, serving multiple visual appearances simultaneously. This universal lighting setup maintains ease of control while eliminating the redundant processing that would occur with separate lighting setups for each look, thereby improving rendering efficiency

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

3Manufacturing precision

If visual effects are reapplied for every change of visual appearance, then each look receives optimized visual effects, but the rendering process becomes slower and more resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQuality of visual effects applicationVSAvoidTime required for rendering
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting configuration is established in advance as a universal setup that can be applied to multiple visual appearances. This preliminary creation of a shared lighting configuration eliminates the need to reapply visual effects for every look change, maintaining quality while significantly reducing rendering time and computational resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2981944B1Look-based selection for rendering a computer-generated animation
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
  • EP2981944B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2981944B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2981944B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for computing a rendered image of a computer-generated object in a computer-generated scene. A dependency graph is accessed, the dependency graph including a plurality of interconnected nodes including a look-selector node. An asset is accessed at an input to the look-selector node. The asset includes a plurality of looks for the computer- generated object, each look of the plurality of looks corresponding to a different visual appearance of the computer-generated object. At the look-selector node, an active look is selected from the plurality of looks. The active look is passed to a next node of the dependency graph. The rendered image of the computer-generated object is computed having a visual appearance that corresponds to the active look.