Abstract: A method of applying a post-render motion blur to an object may include receiving a first image of the object. The first image need not be motion blurred, and the first image may include a first pixel and rendered color information for the first pixel. The method may also include receiving a second image of the object. The second image may be motion blurred, and the second image may include a second pixel and a location of the second pixel before the second image was motion blurred. The method may additionally include locating the first pixel in the first image using the location of the second pixel before the second image was motion blurred. The method may further include coloring the second pixel using the rendered color information for the first pixel.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method is described. The method includes generating a positional relationship between one or more support structures having at least one motion capture mark and at least one virtual structure corresponding to geometry of an object to be tracked and positioning the support structures on the object to be tracked. The support structures has sufficient rigidity that, if there are multiple marks, the marks on each support structure maintain substantially fixed distances from each other in response to movement by the object. The method also includes determining an effective quantity of ray traces between one or more camera views and one or more marks on the support structures, and estimating an orientation of the virtual structure by aligning the determined effective quantity of ray traces with a known configuration of marks on the support structures.

Abstract: A movie set can include light sources each producing a light corresponding to a light channel, at least one high-frame rate camera, and a controller connected to the light sources and camera to synchronize the camera and light sources. The number of light channels can be proportional to the frame rate. For example, if the filming frame rate is 120 frames per second (fps) and the playback frame rate is 24 fps, then 5 light channels can be used. In this example, for every one playback frame, 5 frames were filmed by the high frame rate camera. The controller modulates the light channels such that each of the 5 frames has different lighting characteristics. In post-production, contributions from each of the light channels can be included or excluded from the final frame. An optical flow algorithm can be used to stitch together frames with different dynamic light characteristics.

Abstract: A method of generating an animation rig for a three-dimensional (3-D) computing environment may include providing a rig generation environment that includes a library storing a plurality of blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks may represent particular rig elements and include information for generating the rig elements in the 3-D computing environment along with a first icon that is visually representative of the particular rig elements. The method may also include receiving and displaying two or more blocks in the rig generation environment, and receiving one or more graphical connections between the blocks. The method may additionally include generating the animation rig using the information of each of the two or more blocks and sending the animation rig from the rig generation environment to the 3-D computing environment.

Abstract: A method is described that includes receiving, from a first device, input used to select a first object in a computer-generated environment. The first device has at least two degrees of freedom with which to control the selection of the first object. The method also includes removing, in response to the selection of the first object, at least two degrees of freedom previously available to a second device used to manipulating a second object in the computer-generated environment. The removed degrees of freedom correspond to the at least two degrees of freedom of the first device and specify an orientation of the second object relative to the selected first object. Additionally, the method includes receiving, from the second device, input including movements within the reduced degrees of freedom used to manipulate a position of the second object while maintaining the specified orientation relative to the selected first object.

Abstract: A computer program product tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method. The method includes identifying a frame of a video sequence, transforming a model into an initial guess for how the region appears in the frame, performing an exhaustive search of the frame, performing a plurality of optimization procedures, wherein at least one additional model parameter is taken into account as each subsequent optimization procedure is initiated. A system includes a computer readable storage medium, a graphical user interface, an input device, a model for texture and shape of the region, the model generated using the video sequence and stored in the computer readable storage medium, and a solver component.

Abstract: A system includes a computer system capable of representing one or more animated characters. The computer system includes a blendshape manager that combines multiple blendshapes to produce the animated character. The computer system also includes an expression manager to respectively adjust one or more control parameters associated with each of the plurality of blendshapes for adjusting an expression of the animated character. The computer system also includes a corrective element manager that applies one or more corrective elements to the combined blendshapes based upon at least one of the control parameters. The one or more applied corrective elements are adjustable based upon one or more of the control parameters absent the introduction of one or more additional control parameters.

Abstract: Among other disclosed subject matter, a system includes a first camera generating a live image of a scene, the first camera configured for being placed in a plurality of locations by robotic motion. The system includes a handheld device that includes a display device for continuously presenting the live image, wherein movement of the handheld device causes the handheld device to generate an output that controls the robotic motion.

Abstract: A method of motion capture may include accessing a 3D model of a subject, and associating the 3D model of the subject with a 2D representation of the subject in a plurality of frames. The method may also include identifying a change to the 2D representation of the subject between two or more of the plurality of frames, and deforming the 3D model in a virtual 3D space. In some embodiments, the deforming may be based on the identified change to the 2D representation and at least one constraint restricting how the 3D model can be deformed.

Abstract: A system includes a computing device that includes a memory for storing instructions. The computing device also includes a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method that includes combining, in a nonlinear manner, a first set of vertex displacements that represent the difference between a first animated expression and a neutral animated expression with a second set of vertex displacements that represent the difference between a second animated expression and the neutral animated expression. The number of vertices associated with the first set of vertex displacements of the first animated expression is equivalent to the number of vertices associated with the second set of vertex displacements of the second animated expression.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for adjusting stereo images includes receiving a video sequence associated with a recorded setting of a stereoscopic camera, the video sequence comprising pairs of left and right images. The method includes processing the pairs of left and right images to reduce influence of a discrepancy between the recorded setting and an actual configuration of the stereoscopic camera.

Abstract: A first input is received in an animation creation application having a user interface showing a virtual-space area for first objects, and a timeline area for second objects representing events. To generate the first input, a user presses and holds an input control while a cursor is over one of the first or second objects. It is determined whether the input control is held for at least a predefined duration. If so, a copy of the object is assigned to the cursor, and the copy is subsequently pasted at another location in the user interface upon the input control ceasing to be held after the cursor is moved to the other location. If the input control does not remain held for at least the predefined duration the copy of the object is not assigned to the cursor.

Abstract: Interaction between a 3D animation and a corresponding script includes: displaying a user interface that includes at least a 3D animation area and a script area, the 3D animation area including (i) a 3D view area for creating and playing a 3D animation and (ii) a timeline area for visualizing actions by one or more 3D animation characters, the script area comprising one or more objects representing lines from a script having one or more script characters; receiving a first user input corresponding to a user selecting at least one of the objects from the script area for assignment to a location in the timeline area; generating a timeline object at the location in response to the first user input, the timeline object corresponding to the selected object; and associating audio data with the generated timeline object, the audio data corresponding to a line represented by the selected object.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods and program products for translating RenderMan shading language code.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer implemented method of motion capture, the method includes tracking the motion of a dynamic object bearing a pattern configured such that a first portion of the patterns is tracked at a first resolution and a second portion of the pattern is tracked at a second resolution. The method further includes causing data representing the motion to be stored to a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for handling a modification of an animation having a constraint includes detecting a user modification of an animation that involves at least first and second objects, the first object constrained to the second object during a constrained period and non-constrained to the second object during a non-constrained period. The method includes, based on the user modification, selecting one of at least first and second compensation adjustments for the animation based on a compensation policy; and adjusting the animation according to the selected compensation adjustment.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods, and program products for estimating radiant exitance due to subsurface scattering. For example, one or more aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in one or more methods that include distributing a plurality of sample points across the surface of a 3D object model to be rendered into a 2D image and determining a solid angle subtended by a first sample point and a second sample point relative to a region on the 3D object model. Depending on the determined solid angle relative to a threshold value, a previously determined subsurface scattering contribution for the region or a newly determined subsurface scattering contribution for the region may selectively be used for rendering a portion of the 2D image.

Abstract: A first input is received in an animation creation application having a user interface showing a virtual-space area for first objects, and a timeline area for second objects representing events. To generate the first input, a user presses and holds an input control while a cursor is over one of the first or second objects. It is determined whether the input control is held for at least a predefined duration. If so, a copy of the object is assigned to the cursor, and the copy is subsequently pasted at another location in the user interface upon the input control ceasing to be held after the cursor is moved to the other location. If the input control does not remain held for at least the predefined duration the copy of the object is not assigned to the cursor.

Abstract: Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method for generating a surface representation of an item includes identifying, for a point on an item in an animation process, at least first and second transformation points corresponding to respective first and second transformations of the point. Each of the first and second transformations represents an influence on a location of the point of respective first and second joints associated with the item. The method includes determining an axis for a cylindrical coordinate system using the first and second transformations. The method includes performing an interpolation of the first and second transformation points in the cylindrical coordinate system to obtain an interpolated point. The method includes recording the interpolated point in a surface representation of the item in the animation process.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method is described. The method includes generating a positional relationship between one or more support structures having at least one motion capture mark and at least one virtual structure corresponding to geometry of an object to be tracked and positioning the support structures on the object to be tracked. The support structures has sufficient rigidity that, if there are multiple marks, the marks on each support structure maintain substantially fixed distances from each other in response to movement by the object. The method also includes determining an effective quantity of ray traces between one or more camera views and one or more marks on the support structures, and estimating an orientation of the virtual structure by aligning the determined effective quantity of ray traces with a known configuration of marks on the support structures.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described, which create a mapping from a space of a source object (e.g., source facial expressions) to a space of a target object (e.g., target facial expressions). In certain implementations, the mapping is learned based a training set composed of corresponding shapes (e.g. facial expressions) in each space. The user can create the training set by selecting expressions from, for example, captured source performance data, and by sculpting corresponding target expressions. Additional target shapes (e.g., target facial expressions) can be interpolated and extrapolated from the shapes in the training set to generate corresponding shapes for potential source shapes (e.g., facial expressions).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes comparing one or more surface features to a motion model. The surface feature or surface features represent a portion of an object in an image. The method also includes identifying a representation of the object from the motion model, based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes comparing content captured during one session and content captured during another session. A surface feature of an object represented in the content of one session corresponds to a surface feature of an object represented in the content of the other session. The method also includes substantially aligning the surface features of the sessions and combining the aligned content.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes transferring motion information from one or more motion meshes to an animation mesh. The motion mesh represents the motion of surface features of an object. A shape mesh provides a portion of the shape of the object to the animation mesh.

Abstract: Representing a connection between objects in a simulation includes identifying, on a source object to be used in a simulation process, a source point that is available for creating a connection to another object. On a target object, a target point is identified for use in creating the connection. At least one of the source object and the target object is a rigid object. A spring element having respective ends at the source point and the target point is created, and at least one property thereof is set. A system includes an animation module, and a simulation module that performs a simulation process involving creating, and setting a property of, a spring element having respective ends at a source point on the source object and a target point on the target object.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a model with surface features includes obtaining first and second models of an object. The first model has a first-model resolution that is higher than a resolution of the second model and including surface features. The second model is generated independently of the first model. The method includes generating a version of the first model that has a lower resolution than the first-model resolution. The method includes determining a difference between the second model and the version of the first model. The method includes modifying the second model to include the surface features, wherein the modification includes compensating for the determined difference.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating a character for an animation includes modifying a first polygonal geometric structure, having a specific form, to generate a second polygonal geometric structure having another form. The first polygonal geometric structure is associated with a definition of multiple points relative to vertices on the first polygonal geometric structure. The method includes transforming the definition, in multiple progressive refinements, to generate a transformed definition for the second polygonal geometric structure. The method includes storing the transformed definition in association with the second polygonal geometric structure, the transformed definition to be used in generating a geometry for the second polygonal geometric structure. A system includes a character component management module, a transforming module and a database.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system comprises a left and right speakers located in close proximity, and a sound processor which provides audio signals to the pair of speakers. The sound processor preferably derives a cancellation signal from the difference between the left and right channels. The resulting difference signal is scaled, delayed (if necessary), and spectrally modified before being added to the left channel and, in opposite polarity, to the right channel. The spectral modification to the difference channel preferably takes the form of a low-frequency boost over a specified frequency range, in order to restore the correct timbral balance after the differencing process. Additional phase-compensating all-pass networks may be inserted in the difference channel to correct for any extra phase shift contributed by the spectral modifying circuit. The technique may be used in a surround sound system.