Animation using keyframing and projected dynamics simulation

A computing device implemented for animation combining keyframing with simulation that utilizes projected dynamics, the computing device comprising:

• a memory device configured to maintain parameters that define handles associated with a set of multiple connected object regions within an animation object, at least two of the multiple connected object regions comprising a handle selectable for setting one or more animation constraints on the respective object region, the at least two of the multiple connected object regions each independently selectable with the respective handle to set at least one of the animation constraints for the respective object region of the animation object;
• a processor system to execute an animation simulator as a computer application, the animation simulator configured to:
• receive a first user input designating a particular handle with at least one of the animation constraints, the first user input received in a keyframe of an animation sequence that includes multiple frames of the animation object;
• based on the first user input, set the at least one animation constraint on the particular handle for the object region associated with the particular handle;
• project a simulation of the animation object utilizing a projected dynamics algorithm that applies physics to simulate the set of multiple connected object regions of the animation object in the animation sequence, the simulation including simulating the object region of the animation object associated with the particular handle based on the at least one animation constraint;
• and
• generate the animation sequence of the animation object based on the projected simulation of the animation object.

A method for animation using keyframing and projected dynamics simulation, the method comprising:

• displaying handles over a mesh that defines an animation object, the handles associated with a set of multiple connected object regions each corresponding to a portion of the mesh that defines the animation object, at least two of the multiple connected object regions comprising a handle selectable for setting one or more animation constraints on the respective object region, the at least two of the multiple connected object regions each independently selectable with the respective handle to set at least one of the animation constraints for the respective object region of the animation object;
• receiving a first user input designating multiple ones of the handles with at least one of the animation constraints, the user input received in a keyframe of an animation sequence that includes multiple frames of the animation object;
• based on the first user input, setting the at least one animation constraint on the multiple handles for the respective object regions associated with the multiple handles;
• projecting a simulation of the animation object utilizing a projected dynamics algorithm that applies physics to simulate the set of multiple connected object regions on the animation object in the animation sequence, the simulation including simulating the respective object regions of the animation object associated with the multiple handles based on the at least one animation constraint;
• and
• generating the animation sequence of the animation object based on the projected simulation of the animation object.