Method and system for emulating inverse kinematics

A computer-implemented method comprising:

• (i) loading to a memory device an animation of a 3D graphics object that consists of multiple moving parts, wherein the animation is associated with an animation timeline defined by a starting time point and an ending time point to depict interactive movements of the multiple moving parts of the object along the animation timeline;
• (ii) detecting user selection of one of the multiple moving parts as shown on a display;
• (iii) determining that user designation of a part movement direction as applied to the selected moving part is acceptable;
• (iv) based on user designation of a part movement distance on the display, determining a user-specified time (tuser) on the animation timeline, at which time in the animation the selected moving part would be shown in a position to which the selected moving part is moved according to a user-designated part movement distance;
• and
• (v) showing a frame corresponding to the user-specified time tuser on the display.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium whose contents configure a computing system to perform a method, the method comprising:

• (i) displaying, on a display of the computing system, an animation of a 3D graphics object that consists of multiple moving parts, wherein the animation is associated with an animation timeline defined by a starting time point and an ending time point to depict interactive movements of the multiple moving parts of the object along the animation timeline;
• (ii) detecting user selection of one of the multiple moving parts as shown on the display and detecting user designation of a travel distance of the selected moving part on the display;
• and
• (iii) displaying a frame of the animation that shows the selected moving part at a position to which the selected moving part is moved according to the user-designated travel distance.