Abstract: A device, system and method for making custom printed products. In one embodiment of the method, input selecting one or more vector graphics is received from a user device along with a size of for the printed product. Pixel edge detection is performed on the image to generate a plurality of polygons corresponding to all shapes in the image. Polygons below a size threshold are removed. An offset is applied to each polygon. The polygons are combined. A smoothing algorithm is applied to the combined polygon. A set of curves that define the smoothed polygon is determined. A cut path is dynamically generating for the printed product in real-time in dependence on the modified vector graphic cut path and the received size so that the cut path has a shape dependent on the modified vector graphic cut path and a size dependent on the received size.

Abstract: A device, system and method for making custom printed products. In one embodiment of the method, an image is received from a user device along with a size of for the printed product. Pixel edge detection is performed on the image to generate a plurality of polygons corresponding to all shapes in the image. Polygons below a size threshold are removed. An offset is applied to each polygon. The polygons are combined. A smoothing algorithm is applied to the combined polygon. A set of curves that define the smoothed polygon is determined. A cut path is dynamically generating for the printed product in real-time in dependence on the set of curves and the received size so that the cut path has a shape dependent on the set of curves and a size dependent on the received size. The image is printed on a substrate material for the image product in dependence on the received size and the offset so that the printed image has a printed size equal to the received size less the offset.

Abstract: Users may dynamically specify a “posing root” node in an animation hierarchy that is different than the model root node used to define the animation hierarchy. When a posing root node is specified, users specify the pose, including translations and rotations, of other nodes relative to the posing root node, rather than the model root node. Poses of nodes may be specified using animation variable values relative to the posing root node. Animation variable values specified relative to the posing root node are dynamically converted to equivalent animation variable values relative to the model root node, which then may be used to pose an associated model. Animation data may be presented to users relative to the current posing root node. If a posing root node is changed to a different location, the animation data is converted so that it is expressed relative to the new posing root node.

Abstract: A device, system and method for making custom printed products. In one embodiment of the method, an image is received from a user device along with a size of for the printed product. Pixel edge detection is performed on the image to generate a plurality of polygons corresponding to all shapes in the image. Polygons below a size threshold are removed. An offset is applied to each polygon. The polygons are combined. A smoothing algorithm is applied to the combined polygon. A set of curves that define the smoothed polygon is determined. A cut path is dynamically generating for the printed product in real-time in dependence on the set of curves and the received size so that the cut path has a shape dependent on the set of curves and a size dependent on the received size. The image is printed on a substrate material for the image product in dependence on the received size and the offset so that the printed image has a printed size equal to the received size less the offset.

Abstract: An internet-based method and system is disclosed for creating and printing sheets of more customized stickers. The system includes, a database of assets stored on a central server accessible via the internet, wherein the assets are graphic images, objects and text that can be accessed and manipulated by a user at a remote location. A user interface provides the user with a canvas corresponding to the sheet of stickers, asset tools to access, select and save assets that are used to create the stickers, asset transformation tools to manipulate the assets on the canvas, and die-cut tools to create die-cut borders surrounding each of the stickers. The once the sheet of stickers has been created, the user can place an order for the sheet to be printed and delivered to the user.

Abstract: A model is associated with a deep pose. When the model is changed from an attractor pose to a current pose, the current pose and the attractor pose are compared with the deep pose. If any portion of the current pose is more similar to the deep pose than the attractor pose, then the attractor pose is updated. A portion of the attractor pose may be set to the corresponding portion of the current pose. The attractor pose may be modified by a function. Pose attributes of each pose degrees of freedom for the attractor pose, the current pose, and the deep pose may be evaluated to potentially modify all or a portion of the attractor pose. The attractor pose and pose constraints are used to determine a pose of the model, for example by an optimization process based on the attractor pose while satisfying pose constraints.

Abstract: The pose of the model at an evaluation time is determined by interpolating pose attributes of the unconstrained pose degrees of freedom from previously defined poses. A neutral value of an attractor function at the evaluation time is based at least on the pose attributes of the unconstrained pose degrees of freedom. Because of this, the attractor function is time coherent. Similarly, pose constraints are determined by interpolating from previously defined pose constraints. Inverse kinematics or error minimization techniques modify the pose attributes of the unconstrained pose degrees of freedom to minimize the difference between the attractor function value for the pose attributes and the neutral value of the attractor function. The final pose of the model at the evaluation time is specified by the pose attributes corresponding with this minimization.

Abstract: A method is described to let animators control the extent by which kinematically scripted character motions affect dynamically simulated objects' motions. The dynamic objects are connected to the kinematic character, such as clothing or hair, and the motion of the dynamic objects is simulated based on the motion of the kinematic character. Such control is important to produce reasonable behavior of dynamic objects in the presence of physically unrealistic kinematic character motion. An Inertial Field Generator (IFG) is employed to compensate for the unreasonable behavior of dynamic objects when the kinematic character undergoes unrealistic motion.

Abstract: A method is provided for inserting a copyright or trademark ownership notice on a customized printable product, such as a sticker, sign or poster. The preferred method of the present invention includes the steps of: detecting whether the printable product contains one or more protected assets; determining the name of the owner of each of the one or more protected assets; creating an offset in the printable product; creating the ownership notice containing the names of the owners; and inserting the ownership notice at a location within the offset.

Abstract: An internet-based method and system is disclosed for creating and printing sheets of more customized stickers. The system includes, a database of assets stored on a central server accessible via the internet, wherein the assets are graphic images, objects and text that can be accessed and manipulated by a user at a remote location. A user interface provides the user with a canvas corresponding to the sheet of stickers, asset tools to access, select and save assets that are used to create the stickers, asset transformation tools to manipulate the assets on the canvas, and die-cut tools to create die-cut borders surrounding each of the stickers. The once the sheet of stickers has been created, the user can place an order for the sheet to be printed and delivered to the user.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically maintaining continuity in animation across discrete animation changes. Smooth animation is achieved without forcing the animator to manually calculate compensation values or introducing extra controls to the models that are animated. Continuity or smoothness of the animation is maintained as varying aspects of the animation change under continued authoring.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes opening a first file describing a first object in an object environment, determining a reference for a second object, wherein the second object includes a plurality of attributes, receiving a second file describing the second object from a storage system; in response to the reference, and opening the second file describing the second object in the object environment, determining a modified value for an attribute from the plurality of attributes for the second object, and including in the first file the reference for the second object and the modified value for the attribute, wherein the second object is not stored in the first file.

Abstract: A method of globally analyzing intersections between objects in computer animation includes providing objects represented by meshes, with each of the meshes being formed by a set of vertices, where a set of pairs of vertices defines a set of edges of the mesh. All edges of the meshes are checked to determine if the edges intersect with any of the meshes. An intersection path, formed by the intersection of the meshes, is traced and which vertices that are contained within the intersection path are determined. A polarity of each of the contained vertices is set to indicate that those vertices are contained within the intersection path. The analysis forms the backbone of a collision-response algorithm for unoriented objects such as cloth that is better than previous existing algorithms. The analysis also allows objects to be simulated even when hand-animated elements of the simulation have extreme amounts of interpenetration.

Abstract: A method is described to let animators control the extent by which kinematically scripted character motions affect dynamically simulated objects' motions. The dynamic objects are connected to the kinematic character, such as clothing or hair, and the motion of the dynamic objects is simulated based on the motion of the kinematic character. Such control is important to produce reasonable behavior of dynamic objects in the presence of physically unrealistic kinematic character motion. An Inertial Field Generator (IFG) is employed to compensate for the unreasonable behavior of dynamic objects when the kinematic character undergoes unrealistic motion.

Abstract: A method is described to let animators control the extent by which kinematically scripted character motions affect dynamically simulated objects' motions. The dynamic objects are connected to the kinematic character, such as clothing or hair, and the motion of the dynamic objects is simulated based on the motion of the kinematic character. Such control is important to produce reasonable behavior of dynamic objects in the presence of physically unrealistic kinematic character motion. An Inertial Field Generator (IFG) is employed to compensate for the unreasonable behavior of dynamic objects when the kinematic character undergoes unrealistic motion.

Abstract: A method of globally analyzing intersections between objects in computer animation includes providing objects represented by meshes, with each of the meshes being formed by a set of vertices, where a set of pairs of vertices defines a set of edges of the mesh. All edges of the meshes are checked to determine if the edges intersect with any of the meshes. An intersection path, formed by the intersection of the meshes, is traced and which vertices that are contained within the intersection path are determined. A polarity of each of the contained vertices is set to indicate that those vertices are contained within the intersection path. The analysis forms the backbone of a collision-response algorithm for unoriented objects such as cloth that is better than previous existing algorithms. The analysis also allows objects to be simulated even when hand-animated elements of the simulation have extreme amounts of interpenetration.

Abstract: A method of globally analyzing intersections between objects in computer animation includes providing objects represented by meshes, with each of the meshes being formed by a set of vertices, where a set of pairs of vertices defines a set of edges of the mesh. All edges of the meshes are checked to determine if the edges intersect with any of the meshes. An intersection path, formed by the intersection of the meshes, is traced and which vertices that are contained within the intersection path are determined. A polarity of each of the contained vertices is set to indicate that those vertices are contained within the intersection path. The analysis forms the backbone of a collision-response algorithm for unoriented objects such as cloth that is better than previous existing algorithms. The analysis also allows objects to be simulated even when hand-animated elements of the simulation have extreme amounts of interpenetration.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically maintaining continuity in animation across discrete animation changes. Smooth animation is achieved without forcing the animator to manually calculate compensation values or introducing extra controls to the models that are animated. Continuity or smoothness of the animation is maintained as varying aspects of the animation change under continued authoring.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes opening a first file describing a first object in an object environment, determining a reference for a second object, wherein the second object includes a plurality of attributes, receiving a second file describing the second object from a storage system; in response to the reference, and opening the second file describing the second object in the object environment, determining a modified value for an attribute from the plurality of attributes for the second object, and including in the first file the reference for the second object and the modified value for the attribute, wherein the second object is not stored in the first file.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus allows animators to control the extent by which scripted character motions affect simulated objects’ motions. The simulated objects are connected to the character or non-simulated object, such as clothing or hair, and the motion of the simulated objects is simulated based on the motion of the character or non-simulated object. Collision flypapering is employed to yield the proper behavior of simulated objects when those objects are pinched by surfaces of the character and/or other collision objects.