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Published May 14, 2001 | Submitted
Report Open

Optimized Computer-Generated Motions for Animation

Abstract

Computer programmers working on computer animation have long been trying to solve the problem of how to move objects in user-desired ways with a minimum of user interaction. Objects moving from one place to another move along a path often determined by a spline. We would like to be able to allow the user a specify a characteristic of the object's motion and the animation system to choose a motion path that evidences that characteristic. We develop an approach using constrained optimization that will create paths. Some interesting motions have been found. We describe the effects obtainable from this method so that an animator can sensibly choose between them. We found that minimization of the covariant acceleration of all the points in a body leads to motion that is attractive. This motion seems to cause the moving body to anticipate its motion path in order to prevent sudden moves. It also seems to create very fluid-appearing motions because it tries to avoid sharp turns and sudden stops.

Additional Information

© Jeff Goldsmith All Rights Reserved. 1994 California Institute of Technology. I Would like to thank the entire Caltech Graphics Group for their help and for the environment in which this work was done. In particular, Bena Currin gave perceptive comments and did a wonderful critical reading of the manuscript. Al Barr was my advisor throughout the project and was instrumental in determining the direction of our searvh. Dave Kirk shared his experience in optimization. David Laidlaw gave me great advice that I wish I had followed more often. Ronen Barzel created the TeX macros and thesis environment that made putting this paper together easy. Mani Chandy gave me the moral support and confidence to finish this project. Without his generosity, I would not even have begun this project, and certainly not have finished it. Thanks, everybody. Also thanks to the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers for their generous support during my time at Caltech. This work was supported in part by grants from Apple DEC, Hewlett Packard, and IBM. Additional support was provided by NSF (ASC-89-20219), as part of the NSF/DARPA STC for Computer Graphics and Scientific Visualization. All opinions, findings, conclusions, or reconmendations expressed in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring agencies.

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August 20, 2023
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January 13, 2024