Abstract: A method of synchronizing an animation sequence with a video includes placing a virtual camera in a 3D model of a site captured in the video at the same location and the same orientation as those of a video camera that captured the video, generating a set of virtual frames of the animation sequence by projecting the 3D model onto a scene frame from a viewpoint of the virtual camera, for each of a plurality of virtual key frames, placing a virtual object corresponding to a moving object captured in the video in the 3D model at a respective location that matches with the respective position of the moving object in a corresponding key frame of the video, and playing the set of virtual frames by stepping through time such that the plurality of virtual key frames is in synch with the plurality of key frames of the video.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing an animation sequence with a video includes placing a virtual camera in a 3D model of a site captured in the video at the same location and the same orientation as those of a video camera that captured the video, generating a set of virtual frames of the animation sequence by projecting the 3D model onto a scene frame from a viewpoint of the virtual camera, for each of a plurality of virtual key frames, placing a virtual object corresponding to a moving object captured in the video in the 3D model at a respective location that matches with the respective position of the moving object in a corresponding key frame of the video, and playing the set of virtual frames by stepping through time such that the plurality of virtual key frames is in synch with the plurality of key frames of the video.

Abstract: The invented system and method provide the capability to permit user-defined objects to be displayed in a virtual environment application (VEA). An externally-rendered object (ERO) includes at least one graphic instruction defining an object. The ERO is dynamically linked to the VEA so that the ERO can be rendered in the VEA preferably along with a virtual environment generated by the VEA. The ERO thus provides the user with the capability to customize the VEA without changing the source code thereof, and without using a complicated communication protocol between the VEA and ERO that would otherwise be required. The ERO can be used in a wide range of specific implementations. For example, the ERO can represent a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operating in a virtual environment representing undersea topography. The ERO could also represent a drill operating in an undersea environment for oil exploration, for example.