Dreamworks Patent Applications

Dreamworks patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220327056
    Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a method for writing, by a computing thread, data to a ring buffer is disclosed. The method includes determining whether the ring buffer is full. If the ring buffer is not full, the method further includes: reserving an element of the ring buffer for writing the data, wherein reserving the element includes incrementing a size variable corresponding to a number of stored elements in the ring buffer; reserving a portion of the ring buffer at which the data is to be written; and determining whether a state of the portion of the ring buffer is in change by at least one other computing thread. If the state is not in change, the method further includes: marking the state of the portion of the ring buffer as being in change by the computing thread; and writing the data to the portion of the ring buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventor: Keith Jeffery
  • Publication number: 20220262073
    Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a method for generating a mesh deformation of a facial model includes: generating a first plurality of deformation maps by applying a first plurality of neural network-trained models; extracting a first plurality of vertex offsets based on the first plurality of deformation maps; and applying the first plurality of vertex offsets to a neutral mesh of the facial model to generate the mesh deformation of the facial model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Stephen BAILEY, Dalton OMENS, Paul DiLorenzo, James O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20220239714
    Abstract: A method of transmitting rendering data of a computer image to a client terminal via a communication channel includes: receiving rendering results of the computer image from at least one computer of a plurality of computers; identifying a partial region of the computer image based on transmission information; processing a subset of the rendering results, the subset corresponding to the identified partial region of the computer image; and transmitting, at a particular time, the processed subset of the rendering results to the client terminal via the communication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kato, Robert Wilson, Andrew Pearce
  • Publication number: 20210350621
    Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a method for generating a mesh deformation of a facial model includes: generating a first plurality of deformation maps by applying a first plurality of neural network-trained models; extracting a first plurality of vertex offsets based on the first plurality of deformation maps; and applying the first plurality of vertex offsets to a neutral mesh of the facial model to generate the mesh deformation of the facial model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Stephen BAILEY, Dalton Omens, Paul DiLorenzo, James O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20210286661
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a command stack for an application are disclosed and an embodiment includes receiving an input for executing a first command of the application, initiating execution of the first command, executing one or more second commands which are set to execute based on execution of the first command, completing execution of the first command, and including the first command in the command stack such that an association is defined between the first command and the one or more second commands. In one embodiment, defining the association in the command stack between the first command the one or more second commands may include generating a first nested command stack associated with the first command, including the one or more second commands in the first nested command stack, and including the first command and the first nested command stack in the command stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Stuart Bryson, Esteban D. Papp, Matthew C. Gong, Kirk Lansman, Atul Patil
  • Publication number: 20210183121
    Abstract: A method for rendering a computer image includes, for each pixel of a plurality of N×M pixels forming a tile, determining a plurality of masks for the pixel, wherein N and M denote integers larger than 1, and wherein each mask identifies a respective subset of the pixels that are equidistant from the pixel and located at a respective distance from the pixel. The method further includes: determining an active mask for the tile, the active mask identifying active pixels of the pixels, each of the active pixels being determined as having color information; based on the active mask, identifying an empty pixel of the pixels, the empty pixel lacking color information; and determining at least a first nearest active pixel that is nearest to the empty pixel. The determining includes comparing the active mask with at least one mask of the masks for the empty pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventor: Toshiaki KATO
  • Publication number: 20210027509
    Abstract: A method of controlling rendering of a computer image at a plurality of computers includes: controlling a first computer of the plurality of computers to identify a pixel of a tile of the computer image, wherein the identification of the pixel is based on an inter-pixel order; controlling the first computer to identify one or more locations of the pixel, to facilitate sampling of the pixel at the one or more locations thereof, wherein the identification of the one or more locations is based on an intra-pixel computational order corresponding to the first computer; and receiving rendering results corresponding to the one or more locations of the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kato
  • Publication number: 20210027507
    Abstract: A method for rendering a computer image includes, for each pixel of a plurality of N×M pixels forming a tile, determining a plurality of masks for the pixel, wherein N and M denote integers larger than 1, and wherein each mask identifies a respective subset of the pixels that are equidistant from the pixel and located at a respective distance from the pixel. The method further includes: determining an active mask for the tile, the active mask identifying active pixels of the pixels, each of the active pixels being determined as having color information; based on the active mask, identifying an empty pixel of the pixels, the empty pixel lacking color information; and determining at least a first nearest active pixel that is nearest to the empty pixel. The determining includes comparing the active mask with at least one mask of the masks for the empty pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventor: Toshiaki KATO
  • Publication number: 20210029183
    Abstract: A method of transmitting rendering data of a computer image to a client terminal via a communication channel includes: receiving rendering results of the computer image from at least one computer of a plurality of computers; identifying a partial region of the computer image based on transmission information; processing a subset of the rendering results, the subset corresponding to the identified partial region of the computer image; and transmitting, at a particular time, the processed subset of the rendering results to the client terminal via the communication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Toshiaki KATO, Robert Wilson, Andrew Pearce
  • Publication number: 20210027521
    Abstract: A method of facilitating an interactive rendering of a computer image at a remote computer includes: at a first time, obtaining first information of the image, including pixel information of the image at the first time; and, at a second time after the first time, obtaining second information of the image including pixel information of the image at the second time. Delta pixel information is generated by comparing the pixel information of the first information with the pixel information of the second information, to include one or more portions of the pixel information of the second information updated since the first information was obtained, and to exclude one or more portions of the pixel information of the second information unchanged since the first information was obtained. The method further includes: transmitting the delta pixel information in a lossless format to a front-end client to enable reconstruction of the second information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventor: Toshiaki KATO
  • Publication number: 20210027516
    Abstract: A method of controlling rendering of computer images includes: providing first instructions to be processed at first computers, for rendering a first computer image; providing second instructions to be processed at second computers, for rendering a second computer image; receiving a user request for a change; and in response to receiving the request: regenerating the first instructions; providing first delta information to be processed at the first computers, reflecting one or more differences between the provided first instructions and the regenerated first instructions; regenerating the second instructions based on the request; providing second delta information to be processed at the second computers, reflecting one or more differences between the provided second instructions and the regenerated second instructions; receiving first rendering results from the first computers corresponding to the first delta information; and receiving second rendering results from the second computers corresponding to the se
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Gerveshi, Sean Looper
  • Publication number: 20200334127
    Abstract: A method for composing a scene using a data module includes: receiving, from a user, an instruction to instantiate the data module to produce at least a first instance of the data module in a second data module; receiving, from the user, a first override for modifying the first instance of the data module; receiving, from the user, a second override for modifying the data module; identifying a conflict introduced by the first override or the second override; configuring a display interface to display an indication informing the user of the identified conflict; configuring the display interface to display one or more options for resolving the identified conflict; receiving, from the user, a selection of an option of the one or more options; and in response to the selection of the option, resolving the identified conflict by deleting the first override or the second override.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Esteban Papp, Chi-Wei Tseng, Stuart Bryson, Matthew Christopher GONG, Yu-Hsin Chang
  • Publication number: 20200319945
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a command stack for an application are disclosed and an embodiment includes receiving an input for executing a first command of the application, initiating execution of the first command, executing one or more second commands which are set to execute based on execution of the first command, completing execution of the first command, and including the first command in the command stack such that an association is defined between the first command and the one or more second commands. In one embodiment, defining the association in the command stack between the first command the one or more second commands may include generating a first nested command stack associated with the first command, including the one or more second commands in the first nested command stack, and including the first command and the first nested command stack in the command stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Stuart Bryson, Esteban D. Papp, Matthew C. Gong, Kirk Lansman, Atul Patil
  • Publication number: 20200320764
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an animation rig using scripted reference modules are disclosed. An embodiment includes obtaining a first reference module for generating a first node of a dependency graph, where the first reference module is a precomputed rig module corresponding to the first node, obtaining a second reference module for generating a second node of the dependency graph, where the second reference module is scripting language data executed for generating the second node, generating an association between the first node and the second node in response to an input defining the association, generating the animation rig using the first node and the second node, and providing the generated animation rig to a rig interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventor: Stuart Bryson
  • Publication number: 20200051216
    Abstract: A method for determining whether a pixel of a computer-rendered image is a firefly includes: dividing a plurality of samples originating from the pixel, into first and second subsets; identifying whether the pixel is an outlier based on variance data of the first subset; identifying whether the pixel is an outlier based on variance data of the second subset. The pixel is determined as not a firefly in response to both the pixel being identified as an outlier based on the variance data of the first subset, and the pixel being identified as an outlier based on the variance data of the second subset. The pixel is determined as a firefly in response to the pixel being not identified as an outlier based on the variance data of the first (second) subset and being identified as an outlier based on the variance data of the second (first) subset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventor: Keith Ralph Jeffery
  • Publication number: 20200005537
    Abstract: Systems and methods deforming a mesh of a target object in real-time in response to a collision with a collision object are disclosed. An embodiment includes determining an inwardly deformed position of a first vertex of the mesh based on an intersection point of a boundary associated with the collision object with a ray, the ray connecting a point of an internal element of the target object with a reference position of the first vertex, wherein the inwardly deformed position of the first vertex corresponds to a first deformation magnitude of the first vertex from the reference position to the inwardly deformed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Yukinori Inagaki, Arthur Gregory
  • Publication number: 20190228577
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic contour volume deformation are disclosed. An embodiment includes applying a deformation to a point of a volumetric mesh, wherein a plurality of tessellations of the volumetric mesh are identified and wherein each tessellation is a tetrahedral mesh, identifying a deformation point associated with a first polyhedron of the volumetric mesh, determining a barycentric coordinate representation of the deformation point with respect to each tetrahedron of the plurality of tessellations, determining, for each tessellation of the first polyhedron, weight values with respect to the deformation point for vertices of each tetrahedron which correspond to natural vertices of each tetrahedron, and determining, based on the determined weight values, a new position of the identified deformation point represented as a weighted sum determined from the barycentric coordinate representations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventor: Arthur D. Gregory
  • Publication number: 20190156584
    Abstract: A virtual reality system includes a platform, a headset, a mount, and a control unit. The headset includes a motion-sensing unit and a display unit configured to display a video of a virtual environment. The mount is positioned on the platform and configured to releasably engage the headset. While the headset is engaged with the mount, the headset is positioned in a first position. While the headset is disengaged from the mount, the headset is positioned in a second position. The control unit is connected to the headset and configured to receive first data representing the first position and associate the first position with a predetermined first perspective of the virtual environment. The control unit is also configured to receive second data representing the second position, determine a second perspective of the virtual environment corresponding to the second position, and provide video of the virtual environment from the second perspective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brad Kenneth HERMAN, St. John COLÓN
  • Publication number: 20190156548
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically animating a character based on an existing corpus of animation are described. The character may be from a previously produced feature animated film, and the data used for training may be the data used to animate the character in the film. A low-dimensional embedding for subsets of the existing animation corresponding to different semantic labels may be learned by mapping high-dimensional rig control parameters to a latent space. A particle model may be used to move within the latent space, thereby generating novel animations corresponding to the space's semantic label, such as a pose. Bridges may link a first pose of a first model within the latent space that is similar to a second pose of a second model of the space. Animations corresponding to transitions between semantic labels may be generated by creating animation paths that traverse a bridge from one model into another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stephen BAILEY, Martin WATT, Bo MORGAN, James O'BRIEN
  • Publication number: 20190073826
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for approximating mesh deformations for character rigs are disclosed. An embodiment includes applying a first deformation function to one or more mesh elements to determine an intermediate position based on a transform to a first structural element, wherein the one or more mesh elements are assigned to the first structural element, generating an offset based on a second deformation function for the one or more mesh elements using a deformation function approximation model, wherein the offset is a positional offset of the one or more mesh elements from the intermediate position to a target position corresponding to the transform applied to the first structural element, and generating a combined mesh deformation for the one or more mesh elements by combining the intermediate position and the offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Bailey, Paul DiLorenzo, David Otte, James O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20190026941
    Abstract: Systems and methods for traversal selection of components of a geometric model are disclosed. An embodiment includes displaying a plurality of components corresponding to a geometric model, selecting a first component, receiving a first input indicating a first direction for selecting a next component, wherein the next component is connected to the first component by an edge, identifying one or more candidate edges connected to the first component for selecting the next component, determining an angle between an indicated direction vector corresponding to the indicated first direction and each of the one or more candidate edges, and selecting a second component as the next component, wherein the second component is connected to the first component via a particular candidate edge forming a smallest angle with the indicated direction vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Stuart Bryson, Esteban Papp, Peter Farson, Alex Powell
  • Publication number: 20180197318
    Abstract: Systems and processes are described below relating to evaluating a dependency graph to render three-dimensional (3D) graphics using constraints. Two virtual 3D objects are accessed in a virtual 3D space. A constraint relationship request is received, which identifies the first object as a parent and the second object as a child. The technique verifies whether the graphs of the objects are compatible for being constrained to one another. The first object is evaluated to determine its translation, rotation, and scale. The second object is similarly evaluated based on the translation, rotation, and scale of the first object. An image is rendered depicting at least a portion of the first virtual 3D object and at least a portion of the second virtual 3D object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation L. L. C.
    Inventors: Alexander P. Powell, Esteban D. Papp, Alex M. Wells
  • Publication number: 20180176174
    Abstract: A system and method provides a computer-implemented messaging service. Users subscribe to message channels. A message queue buffers messages to a router. The router determines whether characteristics of a first message match criteria specified in subscription requests, and may route the first message to one or more sending agents based on modes of communication specified in the subscription service requests. The sending agent(s) generate a second message formatted for the specified modes of communication based on the first message. Message load balancing, message queuing, message routing, and message sending services may all be independently scaled to adjust for demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Douglas E. SHERMAN, Justin TANG
  • Publication number: 20180025527
    Abstract: A skin deformation system for use in computer animation is disclosed. The skin deformation system accesses the skeleton structure of a computer generated character, and accesses a user's identification of features of the skeleton structure that may affect a skin deformation. The system also accesses the user's identification of a weighting strategy. Using the identified weighting strategy and identified features of the skeleton structure, the skin deformation system determines the degree to which each feature identified by the user may influence the deformation of a skin of the computer generated character. The skin deformation system may incorporate secondary operations including bulge, slide, scale and twist into the deformation of a skin. Information relating to a deformed skin may be stored by the skin deformation system so that the information may be used to produce a visual image for a viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.
    Inventors: Paul Carmen DILORENZO, Matthew Christopher GONG, Arthur D. GREGORY
  • Publication number: 20180018804
    Abstract: A rail manipulator indicates the possible range(s) of movement of a part of a computer-generated character in a computer animation system. The rail manipulator obtains a model of the computer-generated character. The model may be a skeleton structure of bones connected at joints. The interconnected bones may constrain the movements of one another. When an artist selects one of the bones for movement, the rail manipulator determines the range of movement of the selected bone. The determination may be based on the position and/or the ranges of moments of other bones in the skeleton structure. The range of movement is displayed on-screen to the artist, together with the computer-generated character. In this way, the rail manipulator directly communicates to the artist the degree to which a portion of the computer-generated character can be moved, in response to the artist's selection of the portion of the computer-generated character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.
    Inventor: Alexander P. POWELL
  • Publication number: 20170316605
    Abstract: A method for generating stereoscopic images includes obtaining image data comprising a plurality of sample points. A direction, a color value, and a depth value are associated with each sample point. The directions and depth values are relative to a common origin. A mesh is generated by displacing the sample points from the origin. The sample points are displaced in the associated directions by distances representative of the corresponding depth values. The image data is mapped to the mesh such that the color values associated with the sample points are mapped to the mesh at the corresponding directions. A first image of the mesh is generated from a first perspective, and a second image of the mesh is generated from a second perspective. The first and second images of the mesh may be caused to be displayed to provide an illusion of depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventor: Brad Kenneth HERMAN
  • Publication number: 20170309253
    Abstract: A method of scheduling and performing computations for generating an interactive computer-generated animation on behalf of a client device to achieve a desired quality of service includes generating a computational configuration of computations that, when performed, produce the computer-generated animation with the desired quality of service. The configuration includes an identification of a first computation that outputs first data, a first start time for the first computation, and a first end time, where the first computation is to end before the first end time. The configuration also includes an identification of a second computation that depends on the first data, and a second start time for the second computation. The first computation is performed in response to an occurrence of the first start time and the second computation is performed in response to an occurrence of the second start time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventor: Evan P. SMYTH
  • Publication number: 20170287197
    Abstract: Computer animation tools for viewing, in multiple contexts, the effect of changes to a computer animation are disclosed. An artist configures multiple visual displays in the user interface of a computer animation system. A visual display shows one or more frames of computer animation. An artist configures a visual display to reflect a specific context. For example, the artist may assign a particular virtual viewpoint of a scene to a particular visual display. Once visual displays are configured, the artist changes a configuration of the computer animation. For example, the artist may change the lighting parameters of a scene. In response, the visual displays show the visual effects of the configuration (e.g., lighting parameters) change under corresponding contexts (e.g., different virtual camera viewpoints). Using multiple visual displays, which may be displayed side-by-side, an artist can view the effects of her configuration changes in the various contexts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Tsuey Jin LIOU, Evan P. SMYTH, Andrew Philip PEARCE, Peter MCNERNEY
  • Publication number: 20170278290
    Abstract: Systems and processes providing a tool for visualizing parallel dependency graph evaluation in computer animation are provided. Runtime evaluation data of a parallel dependency graph may be collected, including the start time and stop time for each node in the graph. The visualization tool may process the data to generate performance visualizations as well as other analysis features. Performance visualizations may illustrate the level of concurrency over time during parallel dependency graph evaluation. Performance visualizations may be generated by graphing node blocks according to node start time and stop time as well as the level of concurrency at a given time to illustrate parallelism. Performance visualizations may enable character technical directors, character riggers, programmers, and other users to evaluate how well parallelism is expressed in parallel dependency graphs in computer animation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Martin Peter WATT, Brendan DUNCAN
  • Publication number: 20170213076
    Abstract: A method for evaluating a facial performance using facial capture of two users includes obtaining a reference set of facial performance data representing a first user's facial capture; obtaining a facial capture of a second user; extracting a second set of facial performance data based on the second user's facial capture; calculating at least one matching metric based on a comparison of the reference set of facial performance data to the second set of facial performance data; and displaying an indication of the at least one matching metric on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Emmanuel C. FRANCISCO, Demian GORDON, Elvin KORKUTI
  • Publication number: 20170206696
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically animating a character based on an existing corpus of animation are described. The character may be from a previously produced feature animated film, and the data used for training may be the data used to animate the character in the film. A low-dimensional embedding for subsets of the existing animation corresponding to different semantic labels may be learned by mapping high-dimensional rig control parameters to a latent space. A particle model may be used to move within the latent space, thereby generating novel animations corresponding to the space's semantic label, such as a pose. Bridges may link a first pose of a first model within the latent space that is similar to a second pose of a second model of the space. Animations corresponding to transitions between semantic labels may be generated by creating animation paths that traverse a bridge from one model into another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Stephen BAILEY, Martin WATT, Bo MORGAN, James O'BRIEN
  • Publication number: 20170169555
    Abstract: An electronic device with a display screen provides drawing directions to guide a user to create artwork on a physical medium. The electronic device displays a first drawing direction for drawing a portion of a subject on a physical medium, and prompts a user for a user input indicating completion of the first drawing direction by the user. Upon receiving the prompted user input, the electronic device displays a second drawing direction for drawing another portion of the subject on the physical medium. The subject may be based on a computer-animated movie title. The first drawing direction may include a representation of a virtual host, which is also based on a computer-animated character from a computer-animated movie title.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Scott LAROCCA, Campbell MCGROUTHER
  • Publication number: 20170098327
    Abstract: One exemplary process for animating hair includes receiving data representing a plurality of hairs and a plurality of objects in a timestep of a frame of animation. A first tree is populated to represent kinematic objects of the plurality of objects and a second tree is populated to represent dynamic objects of the plurality of objects based on the received data. A first elasticity preconditioner is created to represent internal elastic energy of the plurality of hairs based on the received data. Based on the first tree and the second tree, a first set of potential contacts is determined between two or more hairs of the plurality of hairs or between one or more hairs of the plurality of hairs and one or more objects of the plurality of objects. Positions of the plurality of hairs are determined based on the first set of potential contacts and the first elasticity preconditioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Galen G. GORNOWICZ, Silviu BORAC
  • Publication number: 20160343167
    Abstract: A virtual reality system includes a platform, a headset, a mount, and a control unit. The headset includes a motion-sensing unit and a display unit configured to display a video of a virtual environment. The mount is positioned on the platform and configured to releasably engage the headset. While the headset is engaged with the mount, the headset is positioned in a first position. While the headset is disengaged from the mount, the headset is positioned in a second position. The control unit is connected to the headset and configured to receive first data representing the first position and associate the first position with a predetermined first perspective of the virtual environment. The control unit is also configured to receive second data representing the second position, determine a second perspective of the virtual environment corresponding to the second position, and provide video of the virtual environment from the second perspective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Brad Kenneth HERMAN, St. John COLÓN
  • Publication number: 20150331597
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) for training includes, in some embodiments, a first group of icons arranged about a first axis, where the first group of icons corresponds to computer-generated animation concepts. The GUI also includes a second group of icons arranged about a second axis that intersects the first axis at a particular icon along the first axis. The second group of icons corresponds to videos that illustrate the computer-generated animation concept associated with the particular icon on the first axis. The GUI can also include a third group of icons arranged about a third axis that intersects the first axis at another icon along the first axis. Horizontal correspondence between icons along the second and third axes indicates logical relationships between the corresponding training content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventor: Hoyt Lee NG
  • Publication number: 20150221119
    Abstract: One exemplary process for animating hair includes receiving data representing a plurality of hairs and a plurality of objects in a timestep of a frame of animation. A first tree is populated to represent kinematic objects of the plurality of objects and a second tree is populated to represent dynamic objects of the plurality of objects based on the received data. A first elasticity preconditioner is created to represent internal elastic energy of the plurality of hairs based on the received data. Based on the first tree and the second tree, a first set of potential contacts is determined between two or more hairs of the plurality of hairs or between one or more hairs of the plurality of hairs and one or more objects of the plurality of objects. Positions of the plurality of hairs are determined based on the first set of potential contacts and the first elasticity preconditioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventors: Galen G. GORNOWICZ, Silviu BORAC
  • Publication number: 20150187113
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing MOS skin deformations are provided. In one example process, the in vector of a MOS transform may be manually configured by a user. In another example process, a slide/bulge operation may be configured to depend on two or more MOS transforms. Each of the MOS transforms may be assigned a weight that represents the transform's contribution to the overall slide/bulge. In yet another example process, a bulge operation for a MOS vertex may be performed in a direction orthogonal to the attached MOS curve regardless of the direction of the attachment vector. In yet another example process, a ghost transform may be inserted into a MOS closed curve and used to calculate skin deformations associated with first transform of the MOS closed curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Mark R. Rubin, Robert Lloyd Helms, Arthur D. Gregory, Peter Dean Farson, Matthew Christopher Gong, Michael Scott Hutchinson
  • Publication number: 20140267309
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering an image using a render setup graph are provided. The render setup graph may be used to configure and manage lighting configuration data as well as external processes used to render the computer-generated image. The render setup graph may include a dependency graph having nodes interconnected by edges along which objects and object configuration data may be passed between nodes. The nodes may be used to provide a source of objects and object configuration data, configure visual effects of an object, partition a set of objects, call external processes, perform data routing functions within the graph, and the like. In this way, the render setup graph may advantageously be used to organize configuration data and execution of processes for rendering an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Robert Giles WILSON, Evan P. Smyth, Mark Lee, Max Requenes, Peter McNerney
  • Publication number: 20140267344
    Abstract: Systems and methods for partitioning a set of animation objects using a node in a render setup graph are provided. The render setup graph may be used to configure and manage lighting configuration data as well as external processes used to render the computer-generated image. The render setup graph may include a dependency graph having nodes interconnected by edges along which objects and object configuration data may be passed between nodes. The nodes may be used to provide a source of objects and object configuration data, configure visual effects of an object, partition a set of objects, call external processes, perform data routing functions within the graph, and the like. The objects can be partitioned based on attributes of the objects and associated configuration data. In this way, the render setup graph may advantageously be used to organize configuration data and execution of processes for rendering an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Robert Giles WILSON, Evan P. Smyth, Mark Lee, Max Requenes, Peter Mcnerney
  • Publication number: 20140280323
    Abstract: Systems and processes provide network clients on various platforms a customized file system experience on demand while managing files (e.g., computer animation files) across a variety of storage devices spread across a network of arbitrary size (local area networks, wide area networks, worldwide networks, the world wide web, etc.). Clients may specify a set of requirements for an instantiation of a file system interface or object for a given application. Such requirements may include storage location, file quality, capacity, scale, permanence, speed, and the like. The system may then provide to the client a customized file system interface with particular hardware resources allocated to satisfy the designated file system requirements. The file system interface may coordinate file delivery, allocation, tracking, transportation, caching, deletion, and the like. The system may manage and allocate hardware resources ranging from a local client computer to distant hard drive banks across the world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventor: Michael Christian SEALES
  • Publication number: 20140267252
    Abstract: Using curves to emulate soft body deformation in a computer-generated character is disclosed. A method can include accessing a reference model mapped to one or more deformation curves for the character. The reference model can include a mesh of vertices representing a soft body layer of the character. The deformation curve can include multiple sample points selected for mapping. Each mesh vertex on the model can be mapped to each sample point on the curve to establish a relationship between them for deformation. The method can also include receiving a movement of one or more sample points on the curve to a desired deformation position. The method can further include calculating primary and secondary movements of the mesh vertices on the model based on the movements of sample points. The method can move the mesh vertices as calculated to a desired deformation position and output the reference model with the moved vertices for rendering to emulate the soft body deformation of the character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventors: Michael HUTCHINSON, Guido ZIMMERMANN, Robert HELMS
  • Publication number: 20140267083
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manipulating a virtual three-dimensional (3D) object in a virtual 3D space are provided. A representation of the 3D object is displayed on a display. A non-hemispherical arcball having a surface is determined. The non-hemispherical arcball is associated with the representation of the 3D object. A pointing device is detected at a first position and at a second position. The first position of the pointing device is translated onto a first location on the surface of the non-hemispherical arcball. The second position of the pointing device is translated onto a second location on the surface of the non-hemispherical arcball. A rotation of the representation of the 3D object is displayed on the display, the rotation based on a path of travel between the first location and the second location along the surface of the non-hemispherical arcball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventors: Morgwn Quin MCCARTY, Alexander P. POWELL
  • Publication number: 20140267307
    Abstract: Computer animation tools for viewing, in multiple contexts, the effect of changes to a computer animation are disclosed. An artist configures multiple visual displays in the user interface of a computer animation system. A visual display shows one or more frames of computer animation. An artist configures a visual display to reflect a specific context. For example, the artist may assign a particular virtual viewpoint of a scene to a particular visual display. Once visual displays are configured, the artist changes a configuration of the computer animation. For example, the artist may change the lighting parameters of a scene. In response, the visual displays show the visual effects of the configuration (e.g., lighting parameters) change under corresponding contexts (e.g., different virtual camera viewpoints). Using multiple visual displays, which may be displayed side-by-side, an artist can view the effects of her configuration changes in the various contexts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Tsuey Jin Liou, Evan P. Smyth, Andrew Phillip Pearce, Peter McNerney
  • Publication number: 20140267288
    Abstract: A system for partitioning a set of assets, where each asset represents a computer-generated object associated with a computer-generated scene. A dependency graph comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes including an organizer node is accessed. The set of assets identified by an input of a predicate test of the organizer node are accessed. It is determined if the at least one predicate test can be evaluated using the set of assets. If the at least one predicate test can be evaluated, one or more partition assets are identified and passed to a next node. If the at least one predicate test cannot be evaluated, a conservative set of assets is identified and passed to the next node, wherein the conservative set of assets is the same set of assets identified by the input of the predicate test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventor: Evan P. SMYTH
  • Publication number: 20140267291
    Abstract: Preservation and reuse of intermediate data generated in a render setup graph for computer animation is disclosed. A processing node in the graph can generate intermediate data and, rather than send it directly to a downstream node in the graph, preserve it for reuse during subsequent processing. As a result, a downstream processing node can reuse the preserved intermediate data, rather than wait while the intermediate data is generated by the processing node in realtime. An intermediate data file management module can manage this process by storing the generated intermediate data in a file for preservation, retrieving the stored intermediate data from the file for reuse, optimizing the file storage location for speed and efficiency, and facilitating sharing of the intermediate data during collaboration between users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventors: Evan P. SMYTH, Peter MCNERNEY
  • Publication number: 20140267249
    Abstract: Systems and processes for contouring 2D shadow characters in 3D CGI scenes are provided. A simplified drawing surface may be added to a CGI scene and displayed from a first perspective to approximate a major surface where a shadow character may be located. A drawn shadow character may be received on the simplified drawing surface. A naturally-cast reference shadow of a corresponding 3D modeled character may be provided on the drawing surface to aid artists in developing the shadow character. An image of the drawn shadow character may be captured from a second perspective at the primary light source. The simplified drawing surface and drawn shadow character may be removed from the scene. The captured shadow character image may be projected into the scene from the second perspective, contouring naturally to object surfaces. The scene, including the shadow character, may be captured from a third perspective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Wayne COOPER, Robyn Nicholas RINDGE
  • Publication number: 20140267277
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering three-dimensional images using a render setup graph are provided. A dependency graph is accessed. The dependency graph comprises a plurality of supplier nodes, a multiplexer node, and a plurality of graphlet nodes. The plurality of supplier nodes is accessed. The supplier nodes each have an output of a first type. These outputs are connected to the multiplexer node. A graphlet is accessed. The graphlet comprises the plurality of graphlet nodes. An output of the multiplexer node connects to the graphlet by connecting to an input of one node of the plurality of graphlet nodes. The multiplexer is configured to generate an instance of the graphlet for each supplier node connected to the multiplexer node. An image is rendered utilizing the accessed graphlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Peter MCNERNEY, Evan P. Smyth
  • Publication number: 20140270561
    Abstract: Data representing animated hair in a computer generated imagery (CGI) scene may be compressed by treating hair data as arrays of parameters. Hair data parameters may include control vertices, hair color, hair radius, and the like. A principal component analysis (PCA) may be performed on the arrays of hair data. PCA may yield new basis vectors, varying in length, with the largest basis vector corresponding to a new dimension with the largest variance in hair data. The hair data may be quantized based on the varying lengths of new basis vectors. The number of bits allocated for quantizing each new dimension corresponding to each new basis vector may be determined based on the relative lengths of new basis vectors, with more bits allocated to dimensions corresponding to longer basis vectors. The quantized hair data may be bit-packed and then compressed using lossless entropy encoding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventor: Mark Jeffrey MATTHEWS
  • Publication number: 20140267352
    Abstract: A system and method for computing a rendered image of a computer-generated object in a computer-generated scene. A dependency graph is accessed, the dependency graph including a plurality of interconnected nodes including a look-selector node. An asset is accessed at an input to the look-selector node. The asset includes a plurality of looks for the computer-generated object, each look of the plurality of looks corresponding to a different visual appearance of the computer-generated object. At the look-selector node, an active look is selected from the plurality of looks. The active look is passed to a next node of the dependency graph. The rendered image of the computer-generated object is computed having a visual appearance that corresponds to the active look.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventor: Evan P. SMYTH
  • Publication number: 20140267239
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering three-dimensional images by instancing scene description data using a hierarchy are provided. A hierarchy is accessed. The hierarchy comprises a first node and an instance node. The first node is a predecessor to a subtree of one or more nodes and the first node is associated with a first scene description data object. The instance node is a leaf of the hierarchy. The instance node has a parent node and the instance node is associated with a second scene description data object. The parent node has successor nodes other than the instance node. An instancing instruction of the instance node is read. The instancing instruction comprises information identifying the first node. An instance of the subtree of one or more nodes is merged at a location in the hierarchy of the instance node. An image is rendered based on the merged instance of the subtree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC
    Inventors: Robert Giles WILSON, David MOORE, Nick LONG