Multipoint offset sampling deformation

A computer-implemented method for deforming a skin of a model of a computer animation character, the method comprising:

• accessing the model, wherein the model includes a skeleton having a plurality of bones connected at one or more joints, wherein a joint of the one or more joints is associated with a first local coordinate system;
• accessing a user's selection of one or more control points, wherein each control point is associated with a second local coordinate system;
• accessing a skin vertex, wherein the skin vertex represents a location on the skin and the skin vertex is associated with a position vector;
• receiving user input representing selection of a geometric function;
• subsequent to accessing the user's selection of the one or more control points and receiving the user input representing selection of the geometric function, using, by one or more processors, the selected geometric function to:
• perform an automated control point selection process that selects a smaller subset of control points from the user's selection of the one or more control points, wherein the automated control point selection process is performed by the one or more processors, and wherein the automated control point selection process comprises:
• performing one or more calculations using the selected geometric function and at least a portion of the user's selection of the one or more control points;
• and
• selecting, using a result of the one or more calculations, the smaller subset of control points;
• and
• determine an influence, of each control point in the smaller subset, over a new position vector of the skin vertex;
• determining the new position vector of the skin vertex using the selected smaller subset of control points and corresponding influence;
• and
• storing the new position vector of the skin vertex, wherein a portion of the skin of the computer animation character is displayed, during animation, at the new position vector of the skin vertex.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for deforming a skin of a model of a computer animation character, comprising instructions for:

• accessing the model, wherein the model includes a skeleton having a plurality of bones connected at one or more joints, wherein a joint of the one or more joints is associated with a first local coordinate system;
• accessing a user's selection of one or more control points, wherein each control point is associated with a second local coordinate system;
• accessing a skin vertex, wherein the skin vertex represents a location on the skin and the skin vertex is associated with a position vector;
• receiving user input representing selection of a geometric function;
• subsequent to accessing the user's selection of the one or more control points and receiving the user input representing selection of the geometric function, using the selected geometric function to:
• perform an automated control point selection process that selects a smaller subset of control points from the user's selection of the one or more control points, wherein the automated control point selection process is performed by one or more processors, and wherein the automated control point selection process comprises:
• performing one or more calculations using the selected geometric function and at least a portion of the user's selection of the one or more control points;
• and
• selecting, using a result of the one or more calculations, the smaller subset of control points;
• and
• determine an influence, of each control point in the smaller subset, over a new position vector of the skin vertex;
• determining the new position vector of the skin vertex using the selected smaller subset of control points and corresponding influence;
• and
• storing the new position vector of the skin vertex, wherein a portion of the skin of the computer animation character is displayed, during animation, at the new position vector of the skin vertex.

A system for deforming a skin of a model of a computer animation character, the system comprising:

• a memory operatively coupled to one or more processors, wherein the memory comprises one or more programs, which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processors to:
• access the model, wherein the model includes a skeleton having a plurality of bones connected at one or more joints, wherein a joint of the one or more joints is associated with a first local coordinate system;
• access a user's selection of one or more control points, wherein each control point is associated with a second local coordinate system;
• access a skin vertex, wherein the skin vertex represents a location on the skin and the skin vertex is associated with a position vector;
• receive user input representing selection of a geometric function;
• subsequent to accessing the user's selection of the one or more control points and receiving the user input representing selection of the geometric function, use the selected geometric function to:
• perform an automated control point selection process that selects a smaller subset of control points from the user's selection of the one or more control points, wherein the automated control point selection process is performed by one or more processors, and wherein the automated control point selection process comprises:
• performing one or more calculations using the selected geometric function and at least a portion of the user's selection of the one or more control points;
• and
• selecting, using a result of the one or more calculations, the smaller subset of control points;
• and
• determine an influence, of each control point in the smaller subset, over a new position vector of the skin vertex;
• determine the new position vector of the skin vertex using the selected smaller subset of control points and corresponding influence;
• and
• store the new position vector of the skin vertex, wherein a portion of the skin of the computer animation character is displayed, during animation, at the new position vector of the skin vertex.