Animation Paradigms

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AnimationParadigms

• Computer Animation SS2007

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Paradigms

• Keyframe
• Geometric
• Parameterized
• Tracks/Channels
• Goal-directed
• Rule-based
• Physically-based
• Scripted

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Keyframe Animation

• Derives from traditional animation
• Walt Disney and others
• State data is specific for key frames
• Software computes in-between frames via
  specified interpolation method

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Keyframe AnimationLinear Interpolation

• Steps
• Keyframes are set
• Linear interpolation is chosen
• In-between frames are computed

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Keyframe AnimationSlow-In / Slow-Out

• Steps
• Keyframes are set
• Slow-in/Slow-out is chosen
• In-between frames are computed

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Keyframe AnimationMultiple Keyframes

• Which looks better?
• Linear interpolation?
• Smooth interpolation?

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Keyframe AnimationSmooth Interpolation

• Issues
• Sequential keyframe pairs versus multiple
  keyframes
• Bezier versus B-spline versus ???

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Goal-directed

• Possible parameters
• Target
• Time
• Distance

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Try this!

• Create an algorithm for an animation with the
  following constraints
• Ball is to roll from point A to point B
• Total rolling time is 2 seconds

B
A
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And this!

• Create an algorithm similar to the previous
  except ...
• Total time is unknown
• Distance is 2 meters
• Speed 0.5 meters/sec

B
2 meters
A
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Rule-based

• Objects are given rules to control their behavior
• Examples
• Particles systems
• Boids (Craig Reynolds)?

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Try this!

• Create an algorithm for an animation with the
  following constraints
• Ball is to roll from point A to point B
• Total rolling time is 2 seconds
• Two cubes are placed along a direct path from A
  to B

B
2 meters
A
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Scripted

• High level animation control
• Often utilize scripting languages
• Examples
• ActionScript 2 (Flash)?
• MEL (Maya)?
• XSI Scripting (SoftImage)?
• MAXScript (3DSMax)?