Volume Preserving Deformation for Animated Character Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer-based key frame character animation, manual processes for resolving interpenetration and volume preservation are tedious and time-consuming, making it challenging for artists to create smooth and realistic animations, as existing physics-based deformation and collision resolution methods are difficult to integrate into artist-directed animation.
Innovation Solution
A geometric collision resolution and volume preservation process that automatically resolves interpenetration and preserves volume in animated characters by making local deformations on their surfaces, allowing artists to focus on artistic control rather than manual adjustments, using a method that detects intersection regions, displaces points, pumps out volumes, and smooths crevices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physics-based deformation and collision resolution methods are used, then volume preservation and collision resolution are achieved, but integration into artist-directed animation process becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects interpenetration and performs volume-preserving deformation without requiring artist intervention. The computer system serves itself by autonomously resolving collisions while preserving volume, eliminating the need for artists to manually adjust each frame while maintaining the reliability of volume preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex physics-based mechanical deformation systems with a geometric approach that uses surface mesh manipulation and volume calculation. This substitution maintains volume preservation reliability while improving adaptability to artist-directed workflows by using simpler, more controllable geometric operations instead of complex physics simulations.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual collision resolution is performed for each frame, then interpenetration is resolved, but time consumption and labor increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The computer system automatically performs collision detection and resolution without requiring manual artist intervention for each frame. The system serves itself by autonomously identifying interpenetration and applying appropriate deformations, maintaining high collision resolution accuracy while dramatically reducing the time artists would otherwise spend on this repetitive task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs collision detection and resolution as part of the automated animation pipeline before final rendering. By preparing and resolving collisions in advance during the animation generation process, the system ensures accurate collision resolution without adding post-processing time, thereby reducing overall production time while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If global changes are made to preserve volume, then volume and shape are maintained, but artistic control and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies volume-preserving deformation locally to only those regions of the character model that are involved in interpenetration, rather than applying global changes to the entire model. This localized approach maintains volume preservation reliability in the affected areas while leaving the rest of the character unchanged, thereby preserving artistic control and flexibility for the animator to make specific local adjustments where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the deformation approach based on the specific interpenetration situation, selecting from multiple deformation strategies (e.g., local mesh deformation, volume compensation) depending on the context. This dynamic adaptation maintains volume preservation while giving artists flexibility to choose or adjust the deformation behavior to match their artistic vision for different situations.
4Reliability
If consistent and uniform volume preservation is applied across all frames, then volume is maintained, but smooth transitions between frames are difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies volume preservation in a periodic manner, alternating between local deformation methods and global volume compensation techniques across different frames and interpenetration scenarios. This periodic variation in approach maintains volume preservation reliability while preventing repetitive deformation patterns that could cause visual popping, thereby improving frame-to-frame smoothness and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-based animation method and system for deforming animated characters (people, animals, etc.) using a volume preserving and collision resolution process for the animation. Parts of a character are deformed by a soft mesh deformation to emulate skin deformation due to flesh and muscle movement driven by the rigid body animation along the character's joints. Resolution of the interpenetration or volume loss of deformed parts is needed for smooth and realistic animation. The present method and system enable automatic collision resolution, allowing local deformations on two intersecting parts of a character so the parts no longer interpenetrate, while preserving the volume and general shape of the two parts, e.g., the character's torso and a limb.