Scripting Interactive Physically‐Based Motions with Relative Paths and Synchronization

Abstract

This paper presents a novel approach for facilitating the use of physically based models by animators. The idea is to let the user guide motion at a high level of control by giving approximate desired trajectories and synchronization constraints between the objects over time, while a simulation module computes the final motion, dealing with collision detection and response, and enhancing realism. The objects, which are either isolated or components of an articulated structure, are guided through the specification of key-position and orientations, defined in a referential that can be fixed or relative to another object. The animation sequence is scripted by specifying a graph of synchronization constraints between objects over time. During the animation, objects automatically regulate their speed in order to meet these constraints. Résumé Cet article présente une nouvelle approche pour faciliter l'utilisation de modèles physiques par les graphistes. L'idée est de laisser l'utilisateur guider l'animationà un haut niveau de contrôle en donnant une approximation des trajectoires désirées et des contraintes de synchronisation temporelles entre les objets. Un module de simulation calcule ensuite le mouvement final, gérant les détections et réponses aux collisions, tout en améliorant le réalisme. Les objets, isolés ou composants d'une structure articulée, sont guidés par la spécification de positions et orientations-clés, définies dans un repère fixe ou relatif a un autre objet. La séquence d'animation est définie par la spécification d'un graphe de contraintes de synchronisation entre les objets au cours du temps. Pendant l'animation, les objets régulent automatiquement leur vitesse pour satisfaire ces contraintes.

Modeling tension and relaxation for computer animation

“…The work of Lamouret and Gascuel is similar to our system in that they feature rough kinematic trajectories that are loosely followed by a control system [12]. The goals of their work, however, are synchronization of movements, collision handling and object interaction, rather than expressive control of an animation.…”

User-controlled physics-based animation for articulated figures

“…Instead we provide a general system for animating Our work has similarities to the work of Lamouret and Gascuel [13] who use dynamic controllers to drive motion along kinematically specified paths in space and to synchronize the animation of different objects. However, in their system, articulated figure motion cannot be described through desired joint trajectories thus complicating user control of complex figures.…”