Method and apparatus for animating the dynamics of hair and similar objects
Granted: April 9, 2009
Application Number:
20090091575
Animating strands (such as long hair), for movies, videos, etc. is accomplished using computer graphics by use of differential algebraic equations. Each strand is subject to simulation by defining its motion path, then evaluating dynamic forces acting on the strand. Collision detection with any objects is performed, and collision response forces are evaluated. Then for each frame a differential algebraic equations solver is invoked to simulate the strands.
ANIMATING HAIR USING POSE CONTROLLERS
Granted: December 4, 2008
Application Number:
20080297519
The present invention deforms hairs from a reference pose based on one or more of the following: magnet position and/or orientation; local reference space position (e.g., a character's head or scalp); and several profile curves and variables. In one embodiment, after an initial deformation is determined, it is refined in order to simulate collisions, control hair length, and reduce the likelihood of hairs penetrating the surface model. The deformed hairs can be rendered to create a…
System and method for rendering computer graphics utilizing a shadow illuminator
Granted: November 13, 2008
Application Number:
20080278491
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to rendering computer graphics using an augmented direct light model which approximates the effect of indirect light in shadows. More specifically, a shadow illuminator light source is provided for. The shadow illuminator light source is associated with an ordinary, or primary light source and is used to provide illumination in areas which are in shadows with respect to the primary light source. The shadow illuminator provides…
Decorating computer generated character with surface-attached features
Granted: October 30, 2008
Application Number:
20080266292
A computer generated character is decorated with skin-attached features in computer graphics by defining a skin surface of the computer generated character. The skin surface is defined using a set of one or more connected parametric surfaces. Feature locations for the features are placed on the defined skin surface. Guide locations for guides are placed on the defined skin surface. The skin surface is partitioned into a plurality of cells. Each cell has a set of vertices. The set of…
Placing skin-attached features on a computer generated character
Granted: October 30, 2008
Application Number:
20080266308
Skin-attached features are placed on a computer generated character by defining a set of placement points on at least a portion of a skin surface of the computer generated character. For each placement point, a radius is defined for the placement point. For each placement point, a density value is determined for the placement point. The density value is a sum of weighted overlaps with neighboring placement points within the radius of the placement point. The weighted overlaps are…
Illuminated surround and method for operating same for video and other displays
Granted: August 7, 2008
Application Number:
20080186707
In a video or other screen display apparatus, a surround to the actual screen is provided whose light output is variable in order to compensate for the effect of ambient (room) illumination on apparent contrast and chroma of the displayed image. The relationship between ambient light level and the surround illumination is an inverse power function. This provides the effect of making the viewer perceive that the entire room is brighter than it actually is, resulting in a desirable change…
Soft shadows for cinematic lighting for computer graphics
Granted: July 24, 2008
Application Number:
20080174600
A method and apparatus for high quality soft shadows for area lights in cinematic lighting for use in computer graphics, such as computer enabled animation. The method is an extension of traditional shadow maps, so it has the advantage of image based shadow methods; the complexity of the present method is independent of geometric complexity. It uses multilayer translucent shadow maps, which can be used to produce high quality soft shadows for scenes with extremely complex geometry, fur,…
Layering method for feather animation
Granted: November 22, 2007
Application Number:
20070270092
A method of animating feather elements includes: specifying initial positions for a skin surface and for feather elements; specifying positions for the skin surface at an animated time; determining a feather-ordering sequence for placing the feather elements on the skin surface; determining positions for skirt elements that provide spatial extensions for the skin surface at the animated time; determining positions for feather-proxy elements that provide spatial extensions for the feather…
Artist directed volume preserving deformation and collision resolution for animation
Granted: May 3, 2007
Application Number:
20070097125
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…
