METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CREATING GRAPHICAL OBJECTS WITH DESIRED PHYSICAL FEATURES FOR USAGE IN ANIMATION

• US 20100289807A1
• Filed: 05/18/2009
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Piece Future Pte., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Hao, Yu, Kun
• Granted Patent: US 8,427,503 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/581
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

An apparatus for modifying one or more physical attributes and properties of a graphical element and transferring these physical attributes and properties to a graphical object for usage in an animation may include a processor and a memory storing executable computer program code that cause the apparatus to at least perform operations including receiving a selection of a physical attribute(s) among a plurality of physical attributes and adjusting an intensity associated with the selected physical attribute. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to assign the physical attribute to a graphical element(s) and modify one or more physical properties of the graphical element based on the selected physical attribute and the adjusted intensity. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to transfer the modified physical properties of the graphical element to a graphical object. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a selection of at least one physical attribute among a plurality of physical attributes;

adjusting an intensity associated with the selected physical attribute;

assigning the physical attribute to at least one graphical element;

testing one or more physical effects corresponding to the assigned attribute;

modifying one or more physical properties of the graphical element based on the physical attribute and the adjusted intensity; and

transferring, via a processor, the modified physical properties of the graphical element to at least one graphical object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the physical attributes further comprises adjusting a degree in which the physical attribute is applied to the graphical element based on the intensity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to transferring the modified physical properties, the method further comprises applying at least one force to a portion of the graphical element.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising moving the graphical object from a first location to at least one other location on a display in response to execution of an animation.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising altering at least one of a shape or property of the graphical element based on the applied force.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining a strength of the force based on a length and direction of a stroke detected via a touch screen, wherein the stroke comprises moving a pointer continuously from a first position to a second position on the touch screen.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining that the force changes a position of the graphical element in response to the stroke being applied from the first position which is one of inside or outside the graphical element to the second position which is in a predefined direction relative to the first position and which is the other of inside or outside the graphical element.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining that the force alters at least one of a shape or property of the graphical element but does not change the position of the graphical element in response to the stroke being applied from the first position which is one of inside or outside of the graphical element to the second position which is in a predetermined direction relative to the first position and which is the other of inside or outside the graphical element.

9. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause (1) the apparatus or (2) another apparatus to perform at least the following;

receive a selection of at least one physical attribute among a plurality of physical attributes;

adjust an intensity associated with the selected physical attribute;

assign the physical attribute to at least one graphical element;

modify one or more physical properties of the graphical element based on the physical attribute and the adjusted intensity; and

transfer the modified physical properties of the graphical element to at least one graphical object.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computer program code cause the apparatus or the another apparatus to modify the physical attributes by adjusting a degree in which the physical attribute is applied to the graphical element based on the intensity.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computer program code further causes the apparatus or the another apparatus to apply at least one force to a portion of the graphical element prior to the transfer.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the computer program code further causes the apparatus or the another apparatus to move the graphical object from a first location to at least one other location on a display in response to execution of an animation.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the computer program code further causes the apparatus or the another apparatus to alter at least one of a shape or property of the graphical element based on the applied force.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the computer program code further causes the apparatus or the another apparatus to determine a strength of the force based on a length and direction of a stroke detected via a touch screen, wherein the stroke comprises moving a pointer continuously from a first position to a second position on the touch screen.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the computer program code further causes the apparatus or the another apparatus to determine that the force changes a position of the graphical element in response to the stroke being applied from the first position which is one of inside or outside the graphical element to the second position which is in a predefined direction relative to the first position and which is the other of inside or outside the graphical element.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the computer program code further causes the apparatus or the another apparatus to determine that the force alters at least one of a shape or property of the graphical element but does not change the position of the graphical element in response to the stroke being applied from the first position which is one of inside or outside of the graphical element to the second position which is in a predefined direction relative to the first position and which is the other of inside or outside the graphical element.

17. A computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

program code instructions for causing receipt of a selection of at least one physical attribute among a plurality of physical attributes;

program code instructions for adjusting an intensity associated with the selected physical attribute;

program code instructions for assigning the physical attribute to at least one graphical element;

program code instructions for modifying one or more physical properties of the graphical element based on the physical attribute and the adjusted intensity; and

program code instructions for causing transfer of the modified physical properties of the graphical element to at least one graphical object.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the program code instructions configured to modify the physical attributes are further configured to adjust a degree in which the physical attribute is applied to the graphical element based on the intensity.

19. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising program code instructions for causing application of at least one force to a portion of the graphical element prior to the transfer.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising program code instructions for moving the graphical object from a first location to at least one other location on a display in response to execution of an animation.