Method and apparatus for computer supported animation

• US 6,054,999 A
• Filed: 05/03/1994
• Issued: 04/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Orjan Strandberg
• Original Assignee: Orjan Strandberg
• Inventors: Strandberg, Orjan
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Mark K.
• Application Number:
  US08/237,393
• Time in Patent Office: 2,184 Days
• Field of Search: 340/725, 395/152, 395/120, 345/122, 345/473, 345/474
• US Class Current: 345/474
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/40 of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/80 2D [Two Dimensional] animation, e.g. using sprites

Abstract

A method for producing computer processed animation includes a work station composed of a computer and peripheral equipment which produces a graphic movement sequence for a cartoon figure, by compiling a recording of measured data from strategic parts of an actor, and storing in a memory information concerning the figure to be animated. The figure is divided into a plurality of sections which are movable in relation to one another. Prior to figure compilation for producing an image of the figure, the measured data recording for each section is obtained in the form of a space angle. Prior to compiling each section, a grouping of a predetermined number of perspective drawings is stored, in digitized form, in a respective area of the memory, each grouping in a plurality of mutually different space angle positions. A memory area of interest representing a perspective drawing of one of the sections can be addressed with the aid of information relating to the space angle obtained from the measured data recording for the section concerned. The figure is compiled in the compilation image in accordance with a predetermined sequential compilation schedule, section after section, where each subsequent section is added to the nearest proceeding section at a joint location, to build the sections.

Claims

1. An arrangement for producing computer processed three-dimensional animation comprising:

a) a work station (4) comprising a computer and peripheral equipment producing each image in a graphic movement potential for a graphic figure divided into relatively movable image sections;

b) a first memory region (7) storing data recordings of a plurality of three-dimensionally represented perspective drawings of each image section of said graphic figure to be animated in digitized form at mutually different addresses in a respective memory area in said memory region (7), each said three-dimensionally represented perspective drawing representing an image section as seen from an individual space angle position selected from mutually different space angle position, the address of each perspective drawing being based on its associated space angle position;

c) a second memory region (6) storing recorded measured data from strategic parts of an existing self-movable object, e.g., a living actor, the self-movable object being divided into a plurality of image sections movable in relation to one another, a space angle for a direction in space of each section being derived from said measured data from said existing self-movable object, the address for each of said perspective drawings stored in said first memory region (7) corresponding to each one of said sections being based on said recorded space angle for each section for the image to be drawn;

d) said work station (4), for each image of the graphic figure, assembling the figure in accordance with a predetermined sequential assembling schedule on a drawing medium (8,

     9), section by section, by searching in the second memory region (6) for the stored space angle for an image section, providing the address in the first memory region (7) based on the read space angle, reading the memory area having this address, retrieving the perspective drawing stored at that address, and assembling the image of the graphic figure by providing each perspective drawing retrieved from the first memory section (7) of a subsequent section linked with the perspective drawing retrieved for a nearest preceding section at a joint location common to both said sections,

whereby said plurality of three-dimensionally represented perspective drawings of each image section making up said assembled graphic figure depict image sections that may have different proportions than the image sections of said self-movable object used to generate said space angles.