Rigging for non-rigid structures

A system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory memory containing computer program code that, when executed by the processor, performs an operation for animating a non-rigid object in a computer graphics environment, the operation comprising:
• defining a first 3D curve rigging element representing the non-rigid object, the first 3D curve rigging element comprising a plurality of knot primitives, wherein each of the plurality of knot primitives corresponds to:
• a respective position within a three-dimensional scene;
• and
• a respective plurality of animation control attributes that control the movement of the knot primitive during animation;
• receiving one or more defined values for a first one or more of the plurality of animation control attributes for a first one or more of the plurality of knot primitives;
• generating one or more values, for a second one or more of the plurality of animation control attributes for a second one or more of the plurality of knot primitives, based on the plurality of animation control attributes of a neighboring knot primitive;
• rendering an animation using the first 3D curve rigging element, using the received one or more defined values, and the generated one or more values;
• and
• outputting the rendered animation for display.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer program code that, when executed by operation of one or more computer processors, performs an operation for animating a non-rigid object in a computer graphics environment, the operation comprising:

• defining a first 3D curve rigging element representing the non-rigid object, the first 3D curve rigging element comprising a plurality of knot primitives, wherein each of the plurality of knot primitives corresponds to:
• a respective position within a three-dimensional scene;
• and
• a respective plurality of animation control attributes that control the movement of the knot primitive during animation;
• receiving one or more defined values for a first one or more of the plurality of animation control attributes for a first one or more of the plurality of knot primitives;
• generating one or more values, for a second one or more of the plurality of animation control attributes for a second one or more of the plurality of knot primitives, based on the plurality of animation control attributes of a neighboring knot primitive;
• rendering an animation using the first 3D curve rigging element, using the received one or more defined values, and the generated one or more values;
• and
• outputting the rendered animation for display.