US 9,792,723 B2 · Method and system for progressively sculpting three-dimensional geometry

Abstract

The disclosure provides an approach for progressively sculpting three-dimensional (3D) geometry. In one configuration, a sculpting application receives time-based sculpts and stores the sculpted changes from the original geometry, referred to herein as “offsets,” in “fixes” which include (time, offsets) pairs, with the offsets being defined in relation to a reference frame. Each fix may further be associated with a “set” which includes portions of the geometry that are managed together. The sculpting application automatically provides smooth transitions between sculpts by applying scatter-data interpolation to interpolate the offsets of successive fixes, thereby generating new offsets for frames in between user-provided fixes. Further, the user may modify an envelope curve for a set to scale offsets, including offsets in fixes and those automatically generated through interpolation. In addition, tools are disclosed herein that permit a user to manipulate offsets, as opposed to manipulating the geometry itself.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method for progressively sculpting three-dimensional (3D) virtual geometry in a computer-generated animation with a plurality of frames, comprising:

receiving one or more sets defined by a user, wherein each set specifies portions of the 3D virtual geometry managed together;
receiving digital sculpting of the 3D virtual geometry;
storing the sculpted 3D virtual geometry as fixes, wherein each fix includes a respective time and one or more offsets specifying differences between the 3D virtual geometry before and after the sculpting at the respective time, and wherein each fix is associated with one of the sets defined by the user;
providing a reset brush which reduces a magnitude of offsets to a previous mesh by coming into contact with the 3D virtual geometry;
providing a zero brush which removes interpolated offsets and reduces the magnitude of offsets back to an original mesh based on the zero brush coming into contact with the 3D virtual geometry;
providing an offset slider used to blend a current sculpt with offsets that are chronologically next or prior;
and
rendering the animation by a computer processor based on the fixes and interpolations between the fixes.

5 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program, which, when executed by a processor performs operations for progressively sculpting three-dimensional (3D) virtual geometry in an animation with a plurality of frames, the operations comprising:

receiving one or more sets defined by a user, wherein each set specifies portions of the 3D virtual geometry managed together, wherein each set is associated with a respective value of an envelope curve;
receiving digital sculpting of the 3D virtual geometry;
storing the sculpted 3D virtual geometry as fixes, wherein each fix includes a respective time and one or more offsets specifying differences between the 3D virtual geometry before and after the sculpting at the respective time, and wherein each fix is associated with one of the sets defined by the user;
providing a reset brush which reduces a magnitude of offsets to a previous mesh by coming into contact with the 3D virtual geometry;
providing a zero brush which removes interpolated offsets and reduces the magnitude of offsets back to an original mesh based on the zero brush coming into contact with the 3D virtual geometry;
providing an offset slider used to blend a current sculpt with offsets that are chronologically next or prior;
and
rendering the animation by a computer processor based on the fixes and interpolations between the fixes.

5 more elements

A system, comprising:

a processor;
and
a memory, wherein the memory includes an application program configured to perform operations for progressively sculpting three-dimensional (3D) virtual geometry in an animation with a plurality of frames, the operations comprising:
receiving one or more sets defined by a user, wherein each set specifies portions of the 3D virtual geometry managed together;
receiving digital sculpting of the 3D virtual geometry;
storing the sculpted 3D virtual geometry as fixes, wherein each fix includes a respective time and one or more offsets specifying differences between the 3D virtual geometry before and after the sculpting at the respective time, and wherein each fix is associated with one of the sets defined by the user;
providing a reset brush which reduces a magnitude of offsets to a previous mesh by coming into contact with the 3D virtual geometry;
providing a zero brush which removes interpolated offsets and reduces the magnitude of offsets back to an original mesh based on the zero brush coming into contact with the 3D virtual geometry;
providing an offset slider used to blend a current sculpt with offsets that are chronologically next or prior;
and
rendering the animation by a computer processor based on the fixes and interpolations between the fixes.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for progressively sculpting three-dimensional geometry

Life of this patent

Method and system for progressively sculpting three-dimensional geometry

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18