Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software product interpolates inbetween shapes of a two- or three-dimensional geometric model between a sequence of key poses of the model using a new type of parametric curve with shape parameters for providing independent control over the properties of the curve. The shape parameters provide the animator with full control over the behavior of the interpolated shapes between one key pose to the next. More specifically, these shape parameters independently control the direction, absolute magnitudes, and relative magnitudes of the incoming and outgoing tangent vectors at each key pose.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software product generates deformation weights for application of a deformation function on a geometric model. The user, working directly on the points of the geometric model, including its surface, defines a deformation area having a focal region fully affected by the deformation and a falloff region only partially affected by the deformation. Deformation weights are then automatically calculated for all points in the regions affected by the deformation, using a technique that creates a smooth and natural decrease in weights from the focal region to the falloff region. Several options are available to the user to control and monitor deformation weight calculations and weighted blending, and to visualize the deformation weights themselves.