Abstract: A computer-implemented process for generating stereoscopic images to supplement existing content includes obtaining first image data and obtaining second image data comprising a plurality of sample points. A direction, a color value, and a depth value are associated with each sample point. The direction and depth values are relative to a common origin. A mesh is generated such that the mesh is displaced from the origin in the directions associated with the sample points by distances representative of the corresponding depth values. The second 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. First and second stereoscopic images of the mesh are generated from first and second perspectives, respectively. The first image data is caused to be displayed on a first portion of a display.

Abstract: Systems and processes are described below relating to evaluating a dependency graph having one or more temporally dependent variables. The temporally dependent variables may include variables that may be used to evaluate the dependency graph at a frame other than that at which the temporally dependent variable was evaluated. One example process may include tracking the temporal dirty state for each temporally dependent variable using a temporal dependency list. This list may be used to determine which frames, if any, should be reevaluated when a request to evaluate a dependency graph for a particular frame is received. This advantageously reduces the amount of time and computing resources needed to reevaluate a dependency graph.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering three-dimensional images using a level graph are provided. The level graph is accessed, comprising a first node, a second node, and a target node. The second and target nodes are descendants of the first node. The first node comprises first scene description data, the second node comprises first variation data, and the target node comprises second variation data. The target node is selected for computation. Target node ancestors are determined. The first node and the second node are ancestors of the target node. A linearization of the ancestors is determined, comprising an order. A scene description is initialized using the first scene description data. The first variation is applied to the scene description, based on the linearization. The second variation is applied to the scene description to produce a final scene description. An image is rendered using the final scene description.

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 movements 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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive surface for a computer animator to create or modify a computer-generated image includes processes for differentiating between click and drag operations. The included processes also beneficially reduce input errors. When a touch object (e.g., finger or stylus) touches the drawing table, information regarding the duration of the touch and the movement of the touch are used to determine whether the touch input represents a (graphical user interface) click or a drag operation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method determining a user-defined stereo effect for a computer-generated scene. A set of bounded-parallax constraints including a near-parallax value and a far-parallax value is obtained. A stereo-volume value is obtained, wherein the stereo-volume value represents a percentage of parallax. A stereo-shift value is also obtained, wherein the stereo-shift value represents a distance across one of: an area associated with a camera sensor of a pair of stereoscopic cameras adapted to film the computer-generated scene; and a screen adapted to depict a stereoscopic image of the computer-generated scene. A creative near-parallax value is calculated based on the stereo-shift value, the stereo-volume, and the near-parallax value. A creative far-parallax value is also calculated based on the stereo-shift value and the product of the stereo-volume and the far-parallax value.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using hierarchical tags to create a computer-generated animation are provided. The hierarchical tags may be used to organize, identify, and select animation assets in order to configure animation parameters used to render a computer-generated image. The hierarchical tags may be used to display representations of animation assets for selection. A hierarchy based on the hierarchical tags may be represented by a tree structure. The hierarchical tags may be used as part of a rule to partition animation assets. In this way, the hierarchical tags may advantageously be used to identify, organize, and select animation assets and perform animation processes.

Abstract: Locations are shaded for use in rendering a computer-generated scene having one or more objects represented by the point cloud. A hierarchy for the point cloud is obtained. The point cloud includes a plurality of points. The hierarchy has a plurality of clusters of points of the point cloud. A location is selected to shade. A first cluster from the plurality of clusters is selected. The first cluster represents a first set of points in the point cloud. An importance weight for the first cluster is determined. A render-quality criterion for the first cluster is determined based on the importance weight. Whether the first cluster meets a render-quality criterion is determined based on a render-quality parameter for the first cluster. In response to the first cluster meeting the quality criterion, the location is shaded based on an indication of light emitted from the first cluster.

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.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for computing an effective inter-ocular distance for a modeled viewer based on a maximum ocular divergence angle. A maximum ocular divergence angle, viewing distance, and an inter-ocular distance are obtained for the modeled viewer. An effective inter-ocular distance is computed based on the viewing distance, the inter-ocular distance, and the maximum ocular divergence angle. The effective inter-ocular distance represents the maximum positive parallax for the modeled viewer having the defined maximum ocular divergence angle. The effective inter-ocular distance may be used in a stereoscopic modeling system in place of the inter-ocular distance, the stereoscopic modeling system relating a set of parameters in a camera space to a set of parameters in viewer space. The stereoscopic modeling system may be a stereoscopic transformation.

Abstract: Bounded-parallax constraints are determined for the placement of a pair of stereoscopic cameras within a computer-generated scene. A minimum scene depth is calculated based on the distance from the pair of cameras to a nearest point of interest in the computer-generated scene. A near-parallax value is also calculated based on the focal length and the minimum scene depth. Calculating the near-parallax value includes selecting a baseline stereo-setting entry from a set of stereo-setting entries, each stereo-setting entry of the set of baseline stereo-setting entries includes a recommended scene depth, a recommended focal length, and a recommended near-parallax value. For the selected baseline stereo-setting entry: the recommended scene depth corresponds to the minimum scene depth, and the recommended focal length corresponds to the focal length. The near-parallax value and far-parallax value are stored as the bounded-parallax constraints for the placement of the pair of stereoscopic cameras.

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.

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.

Abstract: Systems and processes for rendering fractures in an object are provided. In one example, a surface representation of an object may be converted into a volumetric representation of the object. The volumetric representation of the object may be divided into volumetric representations of two or more fragments. The volumetric representations of the two or more fragments may be converted into surface representations of the two or more fragments. Additional information associated with attributes of adjacent fragments may be used to convert the volumetric representations of the two or more fragments into surface representations of the two or more fragments. The surface representations of the two or more fragments may be displayed.

Abstract: In rendering a computer-generated animation sequence, pieces of animation corresponding to shots of the computer-generated animation sequence are obtained. Measurements of action in the shots are obtained. Frame rates, which can be different, for the shots are determined based on the determined measurements of action in the shots. The shots are rendered based on the determined frame rates for the shots. The rendered shots with frame rate information indicating the frame rates used in rendering the shots are stored.

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.

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.

Abstract: A lighting correction filter for selectively correcting lighting in computer animation is disclosed. The lighting correction filter can select a computer-generated object having one or more lighting attributes. The selected object can be a portion of an object, an entire object, a portion of a computer-generated scene, or an entire scene. The filter can then set lighting correction values for the lighting attributes of the selected object. The lighting correction values can be color values, exposure values, or both. The filter can apply the lighting correction values to the selected object's lighting attributes to effect a lighting correction in the object prior to rendering.

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.

Abstract: Search-based matching for multiple parameter sets in computer animation is disclosed. The search-based matching method can include receiving a selection of a first set of joint parameters in a first model to match to a second set of joint parameters in a second model, currently in operation, for an appendage of a computer-generated object. The method can also adjust the selected first set of joint parameters to match the second set of joint parameters. The method can further compare the adjusted first set of joint parameters to the second set of joint parameters. Based on the comparison, the method can switch from the second model to the first model and replace the second set of joint parameters with the adjusted first set of joint parameters. The method can then output the replacement first set of joint parameters for rendering the appendage of the object.

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.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for measuring the stereoscopic quality of a computer-generated object in a three-dimensional computer-generated scene. The computer-generated object is visible from at least one camera of a pair of cameras used for creating a stereoscopic view of the computer-generated scene. A set of surface vertices of the computer-generated object is obtained. A stereoscopic transformation on the set of surface vertices is computed to obtain a set of transformed vertices. A translation vector and a scale vector are computed and applied to the set of transformed vertices to obtain a ghosted set of vertices. The ghosted set of vertices is approximately translational and scale invariant with respect to the set of surface vertices. A sum of the differences between the set of surface vertices and the set of ghosted vertices is computed to obtain a first stereo-quality metric.

Abstract: A system for performing graphics processing is disclosed. A dependency graph comprising interconnected nodes is accessed. Each node has output attributes and the dependency graph receives input attributes. A first list is accessed, which includes a dirty status for each dirty output attribute of the dependency graph. A second list is accessed, which associates one of the input attributes with output attributes that are affected by the one input attribute. A third list is accessed, which associates one of the output attributes with output attributes that affect the one output attribute. An evaluation request for a requested output attribute is received. A set of output attributes are selected for evaluation based on being specified in the first list as dirty and being specified in the third list as associated with the requested output attribute. The set of output attributes are evaluated.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for smoothing a stereo parameter for a computer-animated film sequence. A timeline for the film sequence is obtained, the timeline comprising a plurality of time entries. A stereo parameter distribution is obtained, wherein the stereo parameter distribution comprises one stereo parameter value for at least two time entries of the plurality of time entries, and wherein the stereo parameter value corresponds a stereo setting associated with a pair of stereoscopic cameras configured to produce a stereoscopic image of the computer-animated film sequence. Depending on a statistical measurement of the stereo parameter distribution, either a static scene parameter is calculated, or a set of smoothed parameter values is calculated.

Abstract: Techniques for determining scaled-parallax constraints used for the placement of a pair of stereoscopic cameras within a computer-generated scene. A set of bounded-parallax constraints including a near-parallax value and a far-parallax value is also obtained along with a lower-bound value and upper-bound value for a range of focal lengths. Scaled near-parallax and scaled far-parallax values are calculated, the calculation depending on the whether the focal length is greater than, less than, or within the range of focal lengths.

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.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a user-defined stereo effect for a computer-animated film sequence. A stereo-volume value for a timeline of the film sequence is obtained, wherein the stereo-volume value represents a percentage of parallax at the respective time entry. A stereo-shift value for the timeline is also obtained, wherein the stereo-shift value represents a distance across one of: an area associated with a sensor of a pair of stereoscopic cameras adapted to create the film sequence; and a screen adapted to depict a stereoscopic image of the computer-generated scene. A script-adjusted near-parallax value and a script-adjusted far-parallax value are calculated.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining bounded-parallax constraints for the placement of a pair of stereoscopic cameras within a computer-generated scene. An initial near-parallax value is determined based on the focal length and a minimum scene depth. An initial far-parallax value is determined based on a focal length. A scaled near-parallax value and scaled far-parallax value are calculated based on the initial near-parallax value, initial far-parallax value, and a range of focal lengths. A creative near-parallax value is calculated based on a stereo-shift value and the product of a stereo-volume and the scaled near-parallax value. A creative far-parallax value is calculated based on the stereo-shift value and the product of the stereo-volume and the scaled far-parallax value. The creative near-parallax value and the creative far-parallax value are stored as the bounded-parallax constraints for the placement of the pair of stereoscopic cameras.

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.

Abstract: To generate a skin-attached element on a skin surface of an animated character, a region of the skin surface within a predetermined distance from a skin-attached element root position is deformed to form a lofted skin according to one of a plurality of constraint surfaces, where each of the plurality of constraint surfaces does not intersect with each other. A sublamina mesh surface constrained to the lofted skin is created. A two-dimensional version of the skin-attached element is projected onto the sublamina mesh surface. The lofted skin is reverted back to a state of the skin surface prior to the deformation of the region of the skin surface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for defining a range of bounding parameter values that satisfy perceptual constraints for a stereoscopically filmed computer-generated scene. A user selection of a bounding parameter from a set of scene parameters is selected. Values for scene parameters of the set of scene parameters that were not selected as the bounding parameter are obtained. A first bounding value for the bounding parameter is calculated based on a first perceptual constraint and based on the values of the scene parameters of the set of scene parameters that were not selected. A second bounding value for the bounding parameter is also calculated based on a second perceptual constraint and based on the values of the scene parameter of the set of scene parameters that were not selected. The first and second bounding values define a minimum and a maximum value of a range of values and are stored.

Abstract: A computer-animated scene illuminated by indirect light is shaded. The scene is comprised of sample locations on a surface element of an object in the scene. A point cloud representation of the scene is generated. Optionally, an importance map of the scene, based on the point cloud representation, is generated. The importance map is generated by rasterizing one or more points in the point cloud and designating areas of interest based on the energy value of the one or more points in the point cloud. A ray tracing engine is biased, based on the importance map. The biased ray tracing engine calculates the path of the ray to the sample locations in the scene to an area of interest. The scene is shaded using the output from the biased ray tracing engine.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a computer-implemented method of providing a transition between first and second regions within a virtual scene, where the first and second regions are rendered using different methods and being connected to one another along a border line. The second region features a sharply diminishing illumination from the border line. The method includes adding, an overlay of additional illumination to the first region as to make the illumination in portions of the first region that are close to the borderline similar to that of portions of the second region that are close to the border line. The method also includes shifting a position on which calculation of the illumination of the second region is based away from the first region.

Abstract: A computer-enabled method for rendering a scene of objects representing physical objects includes projecting a first plurality of rays against a scene and aggregating a second plurality of rays that intersect a bounding volume, wherein the bounding volume encloses an object of the scene, and wherein the second plurality of rays is a portion of the first plurality of rays. The method further includes determining or computing intersections of the second plurality of aggregated rays with the object when the number of the second plurality of aggregated rays exceeds a predetermined value. The method also includes rendering the scene based on the determined intersections of the rays with the object. The second plurality of rays may be aggregated in a bounding volume aggregate data structure for processing.

Abstract: Systems and processes for rendering fractures in an object are provided. In one example, a surface representation of an object may be converted into a volumetric representation of the object. The volumetric representation of the object may be divided into volumetric representations of two or more fragments. The volumetric representations of the two or more fragments may be converted into surface representations of the two or more fragments. Additional information associated with attributes of adjacent fragments may be used to convert the volumetric representations of the two or more fragments into surface representations of the two or more fragments. The surface representations of the two or more fragments may be displayed.

Abstract: A drawing table for an animator to hand create or modify a computer-generated image includes a display and a fused fiber optic plate. The display is configured to display the computer-generated image on a top surface. The fused fiber optic plate of bundled, optical fibers has an input surface and an output surface. The input surface is optically bonded to the top surface of the display. When the computer-generated image is displayed on the display, the fused fiber optic plate is configured to relay the computer-generated image from the input surface to the output surface.

Abstract: Echo cancellation for audio/video conferencing uses an inaudible tone added at an originating conference site to the transmitted voice signal, for echo cancellation. The tone, upon receipt with the voice signal at a remote conferencing site and retransmission back to the originating site, is used to determine both the round trip delay of the conferencing link and the acoustic characteristics of the remote site, so as generate an echo cancellation signal for better audio performance.

Abstract: A tinted color value is produced for a surface of an object in a computer generated scene. The surface is illuminated by a light source having a lighting color value associated with the light source. A first reflected color value is calculated for the surface. The first reflected color value is calculated based on an assumption that the surface is illuminated by white light rather than the lighting color value associated with the light source. A desaturated color value is computed using the first reflected color value. A tinted color value is computed by combining the desaturated color value with the lighting color value associated with the light source. The tinted color value is stored.

Abstract: The surface of a body of water can be animated by deconstructing a master wave model into several layer models and then reconstructing the layer models to form an optimized wave model. A wave model is obtained, which describes the wave surfaces in a body of water. The wave model is comprised of a range of wave model frequencies over a given area. A primary layer model, secondary and tertiary layer models are constructed based on portions of the wave model frequencies. An optimized wave model is constructed by combining the primary, secondary, and tertiary layer models. A wave surface point location is determined within the given area. A wave height value is computed for the wave surface point location using the optimized wave model. The wave height value that is associated with the surface point location is stored.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to rendering computer graphics using an augmented direct light model which approximates the effect of indirect light in shadows. More specifically, a shadow illuminator light source is provided for. The shadow illuminator light source is associated with an ordinary, or primary light source and is used to provide illumination in areas which are in shadows with respect to the primary light source. The shadow illuminator provides illumination only to areas which are considered to be in the shadows with respect to the light source the shadow illuminator is associated with. Thus, the shadow illuminator may be used to approximate the effects of indirect light.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate for rendering translucent objects. According to some embodiments, the color of a pixel of a translucent object that is not directly illuminated by a light source can be determined by decaying the illumination contributed by the light source according to a predefined decay function. The decay function may be, for example, an exponential decay function. The decay function may be evaluated based on an initial illumination contributed by the light source, and a transmittance distance. In some embodiments, the initial color of the pixel is decayed instead of the illumination. Also disclosed is modifying the renderings of different regions of an object which have been rendered using different methods in order to remove sharp contrasts between these regions.