Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Animation
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-31
2001-02-06
Zimmerman, Mark K. (Department: 2772)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Animation
C345S420000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06184901
ABSTRACT:
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as its appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of three dimensional modeling and animation. In particular, the invention relates to an improved three dimensional modeling and animation system having an object oriented architecture.
B. Related Art
Three dimensional modeling systems allow users to generate models of three dimensional objects using computers. In previous systems, a user defines a simple three dimensional (3D) object and then applies various transformations and manipulations (e.g., stretch, bend) to that object. The transformations and manipulations change the way the object looks. However, the modifications, once made, are difficult to change. For example, a user first defines a shape such as a sphere. To change the look of the sphere, the user applies some type of function to that sphere. For example, the user might stretch the sphere in one direction by scaling the sphere. Similarly, the user might apply some type of twisting function to the sphere. If the user wanted to change the amount of stretching, the user first undoes the twist, undoes the stretch (removes the scaling), and then re-scales the sphere. The user must then reapply the twist. Thus, it is difficult for the user to change the scaling of the sphere without affecting the twisting operation.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a 3D modeling system that is simpler for the user to use by allowing the user to make changes to a modification of an object without having to undo all of the modifications made subsequent to the modification of interest.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the invention includes a method of generating a three dimensional (3D) representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation.
In one embodiment, the modifiers are easily shared, the order of the modifiers is easily changed, and the values associated with the modifiers are also easily changed. These features provide the user with great flexibility in modeling and animation.
In one embodiment, the modifiers are associated with three dimensional visual representations that allow a user to better visualize and change the effect of a particular modifier.
In one embodiment, intermediate channel results created during the generation of a representation of an object are cached thereby increasing the speed of this embodiment. In particular, the representation of the object is generated in multiple channels, each channel representing some portion of that representation. Intermediate channel results are generated in each channel by elements in that object's list of modifiers. Depending on for how long these intermediate channel results are valid, the intermediate channel results may or may not be cached. In particular, in one embodiment, if it is determined that one set of intermediate channel results will be valid for a predetermined period of time, while the next intermediate channel results in that channel will not be valid for a predetermined period of time, then the intermediate channel results are cached.
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“Inside 3D Studio Max”, espinosa-aguilar et al., New Riders Publishing, Chapter 19, 1997.
“3D Studio Max Applied”, Clayton et al., Advanstar Communications, pp. 9-14, 63-67, 119-120, 280-282, 310-315, 346-351, 393-395 and 470-476, 1996.
3D Studio Max User's Guide, vol. 1 and 2 and Tutorials, Kinetix, Autodesk Inc., pp. 1-2, 1-14, 1-15, 15-7 through 15-9, Chapters 6 and 13 and tutorial pp. 6-10 through 6-12, Mar. 1996.
Berteig Rolf Walter
Brittain Donald Lee
Hudson Thomas Dene
Silva Daniel David
Yost Gary S.
Autodesk, Inc.
Bingham Marcel K.
Hickman Palermo & Truong & Becker LLP
Padmanabhan Mano
Palermo Christopher J.
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