Storyboard Editor for Real-Time Animation Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animation authoring tools are complex and difficult for ordinary users to use, requiring professional knowledge and time to learn script languages, making it hard for non-programmers to create graphic animations.
Innovation Solution
An animation authoring apparatus and method that includes a storyboard editor for text or graphic input, a parser to convert edited storyboards into graphic animations, and a rendering engine to produce real-time graphic outputs, allowing users to edit and adjust directing settings without programming expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If professional authoring tools are used to create animation graphics, then the quality and control of animation production is improved, but the difficulty of operation increases and requires professional knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storyboard editor as an intermediary tool between the user and the professional authoring system. The storyboard editor provides a simplified interface where users can define animation scenes using basic parameters (character positions, background images, dialogue text) without needing to understand complex animation authoring concepts. This mediator translates simple user inputs into detailed animation commands, resolving the contradiction between ease of use and production quality.
2Productivity
If script language programming is used to author animation, then automation and efficiency are improved, but the learning time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses template-based scene definitions where common animation patterns are pre-defined as reusable templates. Users can copy and modify existing scene templates rather than programming animation logic from scratch. This approach maintains the automation benefits of scripted animation while eliminating the need to learn complex programming languages, as templates handle the complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically generates animation sequences from storyboard definitions without requiring manual programming. The authoring system self-services by interpreting high-level scene descriptions and automatically producing the detailed animation scripts, eliminating the need for users to invest time learning programming languages while maintaining high productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex authoring tools are used, then the functionality and control options are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the animation authoring process into distinct, manageable components: storyboard editing, scene definition, character positioning, and animation rendering. Each component is handled separately through dedicated interfaces, allowing users to work with specific animation aspects without being overwhelmed by the entire system's complexity. The segmentation maintains full functionality while reducing perceived complexity through modular interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is an animation authoring apparatus and method thereof for authoring an animation. The apparatus includes a storyboard editor that provides a storyboard editing display that a user may interact with to edit a storyboard, and to store the edited storyboard. The apparatus further includes a parser to parse syntax of the edited storyboard, and a rendering engine to convert the edited storyboard into a graphic animation based on the parsed syntax of the edited storyboard.