Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Animation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-31
2001-07-03
Zimmerman, Mark (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Animation
C345S473000, C345S440000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256048
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to computer animation.
Computers can produce animated video by displaying a series of image frames from a frame sequence file, much in the way a movie projector shows movies by rapidly projecting different film frames upon a theater screen. The process of producing a computer frame sequence file, however, can be tedious. For example, a user can position artwork on a computer graphics canvas, then repeatedly save the canvas image and manually reposition artwork.
Some three dimensional (3D) art programs use a 3D virtual camera to produce frame sequence files. After positioning 3D artwork objects in 3D space, a user can maneuver the 3D virtual camera through 3D space to capture images that reflect the 3D virtual camera's position and orientation. Producing images from a 3D virtual camera can be computationally intensive. For example, determining which 3D artwork object surfaces should be visible to the 3D virtual camera can consume considerable processing resources. Often a trade-off exists between the speed of image processing and the level of detail shown in the image.
SUMMARY
In general, in one aspect, a method of producing a frame sequence file from a two-dimensional virtual canvas includes receiving control instructions from a user and thereafter, producing frame sequence file frames by repeatedly: mapping a virtual camera frame upon the virtual canvas in accordance with the control instructions, processing virtual canvas information within the mapped virtual camera frame in accordance with the control instructions, and saving the processed virtual canvas information as one frame in the frame sequence file.
Embodiments of the method may include the following features. Mapping the virtual camera frame may include transforming (e.g., translating, rotating, scaling) the virtual camera frame relative to the virtual canvas. The method may process virtual canvas information to produce special effects (e.g., scaling).
The processed virtual canvas information may be saved as a frame in a specified frame sequence file format (AVI, PICT, etc.). Such saving may be done by a frame sequence file format plug-in.
Receiving control instructions may include receiving animator assignments and potentially parameters used by these animators. Such control instructions may also include timing information.
The method may further include animating virtual canvas artwork during frame sequence file production. Such animation may be controlled by user control instructions. The control instructions that control the animation may be similar to the control instructions that control the virtual camera frame.
In general, in another embodiment, a method of producing a sequence of frames from a two-dimensional virtual canvas includes receiving animation instructions that control virtual canvas artwork, and thereafter, producing frames by repeatedly animating virtual canvas artwork in accordance with the animation instructions, receiving virtual camera frame control instructions that control a virtual camera frame, mapping the virtual camera frame upon the virtual canvas in accordance with the virtual camera frame control instructions, processing information from the virtual canvas within the mapped virtual camera frame in accordance with the virtual camera frame control instructions, and saving the processed information as one frame in a frame sequence file.
In general, in another embodiment, a method of controlling artwork that appears on a virtual canvas and a virtual camera frame that can produce a sequence of frames from the virtual canvas includes providing animators that control animation of both virtual canvas artwork and the virtual camera frame, and providing an interface that enables a user to assign animators to the virtual canvas artwork and virtual camera frame.
Embodiments of the method may include the following features. Animator plug-ins may provide the animators. The interface that permits animator assignment may be a graphical user interface.
Among the advantages of the invention are one or more of the following.
Using a two-dimensional (2D) virtual camera to capture and process images from a 2D canvas can produce 3D-like effects using fast 2D computations (e.g., simple clipping and magnification routines).
A 2D virtual camera also provides users with the ability to position and manipulate artwork “off camera.” That is, image information can be represented on the canvas yet not appear within a canvas region bounded by the 2D virtual camera, easing frame sequence file production.
Additionally, handling the 2D virtual camera in the same manner as other artwork objects (e.g., assigning animators) provides an intuitive and generalized method of producing frame sequence files.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5261041 (1993-11-01), Susman
3D Animation Workshop: Lesson 5—Lights, Camera, Render! http:www.webreference.com/3d/lesson5/, revised Mar. 6, 1998.
3D Studio Max. vol. 2 Rendering and Animation. Kinetix, Autodesk, Inc. pp. 34-38, Mar. 15,1996.
Foster Matthew J.
Sargent Robert S.
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Stevenson Philip H.
Zimmerman Mark
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