Automatic Variable-timing Animation Transition based on Hierarchical Interpolation Method

Abstract

Character animation has been used in many fields, such as film making, virtual reality interaction and video games. Video game needs a large set of character animations for users to trigger. However, it is a complex and tedious work for animators to manufacture all the transition animations between each pair of character animations. In this paper, a novel rapid method is presented to generate transition animation automatically. Firstly, animations in the game animation set are classified. Secondly, the time length during motion interpolation is calculated automatically, which is decided by the angle velocity of character's joints. The method is called variable timing method. Lastly, by using hierarchical interpolation method, postures interpolate between different animations. The transition animation can be quickly acquired, according with human dynamics. In this way, we can get a natural movement by connecting animations together. Experimental results demonstrate that our method can be effectively and efficiently applied to generate transition animations between various character animations.