Non-Destructive Instance Customization in Digital Animation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital animation systems face inefficiencies when simulating large numbers of similar objects, as instancing methods require labor-intensive customization, lead to data duplication, and changes to scene layouts can result in overwritten or non-applied customizations, causing lengthy rendering processes and data inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that allows for the replication of digital objects in a scene, generating data structures for object instances with customizable characteristics, enabling independent customization of object instances while maintaining the hierarchy, and consolidating matching customizations to reduce storage and rendering time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If instancing is used to replicate digital objects, then productivity is improved by reducing manual duplication effort, but customization becomes labor-intensive requiring de-instance operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments customization operations into two distinct modes: instance-level customizations (affecting only selected instances) and layout-level customizations (affecting all instances). This segmentation allows artists to customize instances without de-instancing, as customizations are applied as separate data layers rather than structural modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal/dimensional layer to instance data by maintaining separate customization data structures that track when and how instances are customized. This allows the system to distinguish between original instance data and subsequent customizations, enabling non-destructive editing while preserving the instance hierarchy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customizations are applied to instanced objects, then adaptability is improved by allowing scene variations, but data redundancy increases leading to inefficient rendering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges instance data and customization data into a unified data structure where customizations are associated with their parent instances through references. Matching customizations across multiple instances are consolidated into shared data, reducing redundancy while maintaining the ability to apply variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The customization data structure serves multiple functions: it tracks individual instance variations, consolidates matching customizations across instances, and enables efficient rendering by providing a unified view of all instance data including customizations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate data structures for instances and their variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If scene layout is changed after customization, then adaptability is improved by allowing layout modifications, but customizations may be overwritten or not applied correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic tracking of instance customizations through data structures that automatically update when instances are created, moved, or customized. The system continuously maintains the relationship between instances and their customizations, ensuring that customizations are reliably applied regardless of layout changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback mechanisms that monitor instance modifications and automatically adjust customization application. When instances are moved or modified in the scene, the system detects these changes and ensures that associated customizations are correctly applied, preventing loss or misapplication of customization data.
4Productivity
If traditional instancing methods are used, then productivity is improved by efficient object replication, but rendering time increases due to lack of data consolidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary consolidation of instance data and customizations during the scene setup phase, organizing all data into an optimized structure before rendering. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for time-consuming data processing during rendering, as the system already has a consolidated view of all instances and their customizations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A request is received to replicate an object in a scene description. A first data structure associating the object with object instances is generated to produce the object instances in the scene description, with each instance corresponding to a position that an instance of the object is to appear in the scene. The first data structure includes a first set of characteristics of the object instances that includes the position. A selection of an object instance and an instruction to customize a characteristic of the object instance is received. A customized characteristic of the object instance is produced by generation of a second data structure associating the customized characteristic with the first data structure. The object instances are rendered such that the customized characteristic of the second data structure supersedes the characteristic of the object in the first data structure.