Computer graphics production control system and method
A computer graphics production control system is configured to generate scenes (including three-dimensional, deformable characters (“3DD characters”)) that can be manipulated to produce still images and/or animated videos. Such control systems may utilize 3DD characters that are controlled by a series of control points that are positioned and/or moved under the control of the artist. Body characteristics of 3DD characters are modeled as a series of inter-related points (e.g., skin triangles) that can be manipulated under the control of the model and the reference points (e.g., bones) of the body.
1 . A computer graphics production control method comprising:
receiving a computer model of a deformable character and modeling (1) a bone structure having plural bones and (2) skin, surrounding the bone structure, having plural skin regions such that skin regions of the plural skin regions are moved in relation to movements of respective bones of the plural bones;
providing a user interface for receiving input from a user for controlling the deformable character using a set of control points for controlling the plural bones, wherein the user interface includes a flip pose interface for exchanging a first pose of at least one of a first limb and a first appendage from a first side of the deformable character with a second pose of at least one of a second limb and a second appendage from a second side of the deformable character opposite the first side without changing a camera angle; and
displaying the deformable character in a computer graphics environment in response to the input received from the user using the flip pose interface.
2 . The computer graphics production control method as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein providing the flip pose interface for exchanging the first pose of at least one of the first limb and the first appendage from the first side of the deformable character with the second pose of at least one of the second limb and the second appendage from the second side of the deformable character opposite the first side comprises an arm and hand pose interface for exchanging (1) a first pose of the first side of a first arm and a first hand and (2) a second pose of the second side of a second arm and a second hand.
3 . The computer graphics production control method as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein providing the flip pose interface for exchanging the first pose of at least one of the first limb and the first appendage from the first side of the deformable character with the second pose of at least one of the second limb and the second appendage from the second side of the deformable character opposite the first side comprises an leg and foot pose interface for exchanging (1) a first pose of the first side of a first leg and a first foot and (2) a second pose of the second side of a second leg and a second foot.
4 . The computer graphics production control method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
storing a static image based on the displayed deformable character displayed in response to the input received from the user using the flip pose interface.
5 . The computer graphics production control method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
storing a series of images as a digital movie based on the displayed deformable character displayed in response to the input received from the user using the flip pose interface.
6 . The computer graphics production control method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising storing in a 3D file format a scene.
7 . A computer graphics production control system comprising:
a computer processor;
a computer memory accessible to the computer processor and configured to store computer processor instructions configured to, when executed by the computer processor, cause the computer graphics production control system to:
receive a computer model of a deformable character and modeling (1) a bone structure having plural bones and (2) skin, surrounding the bone structure, having plural skin regions such that skin regions of the plural skin regions are moved in relation to movements of respective bones of the plural bones;
provide a user interface for receiving input from a user for controlling the deformable character using a set of control points for controlling the plural bones, wherein the user interface includes a flip pose interface for exchanging a first pose of at least one of a first limb and a first appendage from a first side of the deformable character with a second pose of at least one of a second limb and a second appendage from a second side of the deformable character opposite the first side without changing a camera angle; and
display the deformable character in a computer graphics environment in response to the input received from the user using the flip pose interface.
8 . A computer program product comprising:
a non-transitory computer storage medium configured to store computer processor instructions configured to, when executed by a computer processor of a computer, cause the computer to:
receive a computer model of a deformable character and modeling (1) a bone structure having plural bones and (2) skin, surrounding the bone structure, having plural skin regions such that skin regions of the plural skin regions are moved in relation to movements of respective bones of the plural bones;
provide a user interface for receiving input from a user for controlling the deformable character using a set of control points for controlling the plural bones, wherein the user interface includes a flip pose interface for exchanging a first pose of at least one of a first limb and a first appendage from a first side of the deformable character with a second pose of at least one of a second limb and a second appendage from a second side of the deformable character opposite the first side without changing a camera angle; and
display the deformable character in a computer graphics environment in response to the input received from the user using the flip pose interface.