Abstract: In particular embodiments, a 2D representation of an object may be provided. A first method may comprise: receiving sketch input identifying a target position for a specified portion of the object; computing a deformation for the object within the context of a character rig specification for the object; and displaying an updated version of the object. A second method may comprise detecting sketch input; classifying the sketch input, based on the 2D representation, as an instantiation of the object; instantiating the object using a 3D model of the object; and displaying a 3D visual representation of the object.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for the computational design of linkage-based characters. The system including a display, a memory storing a software application, and a processor configured to execute the software application to display a linkage on the display, the linkage including a plurality of links and a plurality of motors, each of the plurality of links being connected to at least another of the plurality of links using one of the plurality of motors, receive a user input selecting a first link and a second link from the plurality of links and a motor from the plurality of motors, the motor being located between the first link and the second link, and generate an updated linkage by connecting the first link to the second link using a new link and replacing the motor with a pin.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for physical face cloning to generate a synthetic skin. Rather than attempt to reproduce the mechanical properties of biological tissue, an output-oriented approach is utilized that models the synthetic skin as an elastic material with isotropic and homogeneous properties (e.g., silicone rubber). The method includes capturing a plurality of expressive poses from a human subject and generating a computational model based on one or more material parameters of a material. In one embodiment, the computational model is a compressible neo-Hookean material model configured to simulate deformation behavior of the synthetic skin. The method further includes optimizing a shape geometry of the synthetic skin based on the computational model and the captured expressive poses. An optimization process is provided that varies the thickness of the synthetic skin based on a minimization of an elastic energy with respect to rest state positions of the synthetic skin.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable memory are provided for determining time-varying anatomical and physiological tissue characteristics of an animation rig. For example, shape and material properties are defined for a plurality of sample configurations of the animation rig. The shape and material properties are associated with the plurality of sample configurations. An animation of the animation rig is obtained, and one or more configurations of the animation rig are determined for one or more frames of the animation. The determined one or more configurations include shape and material properties, and are determined using one or more sample configurations of the animation rig. A simulation of the animation rig is performed using the determined one or more configurations. Performing the simulation includes computing physical effects for addition to the animation of the animation rig.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable memory are provided for determining time-varying anatomical and physiological tissue characteristics of an animation rig. For example, shape and material properties are defined for a plurality of sample configurations of the animation rig. The shape and material properties are associated with the plurality of sample configurations. An animation of the animation rig is obtained, and one or more configurations of the animation rig are determined for one or more frames of the animation. The determined one or more configurations include shape and material properties, and are determined using one or more sample configurations of the animation rig. A simulation of the animation rig is performed using the determined one or more configurations. Performing the simulation includes computing physical effects for addition to the animation of the animation rig.

Abstract: Techniques are proposed for animating a deformable object. A geometric mesh comprising a plurality of vertices is retrieved, where the geometric mesh is related to a first rest state configuration corresponding to the deformable object. A motion goal associated with the deformable object is then retrieved. The motion goal is translated into a function of one or more state variables associated with the deformable object. A second rest state configuration corresponding to the deformable object is computed by adjusting the position of at least one vertex in the plurality of vertices based at least in part on the function.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for applying physics-based simulation to an animator provided rig. The disclosure presents equations of motions for simulations performed in the subspace of deformations defined by an animator's rig. The method receives an input rig with a plurality of deformation parameters, and the dynamics of the character are simulated in the subspace of deformations described by the character's rig. Stiffness values defined on rig parameters are transformed to a non-homogeneous distribution of material parameters for the underlying rig.

Abstract: There is provided a tensegrity design system and a method for use in designing a complex tensegrity structure. In one implementation, such a method includes providing virtual building blocks selectable by a user for assembly of a desired tensegrity structure, receive user-selected building blocks from among the plurality of virtual building blocks from the user, and identifying connections among the user-selected building blocks based on user inputs to the tensegrity design system. The method also includes determining a network of forces for stabilizing a tensegrity structure corresponding to the desired tensegrity structure, based on the user-selected building blocks and their connections, and generating a simulation of the tensegrity structure corresponding to the desired tensegrity structure for display to the user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for applying physics-based simulation to an animator provided rig. The disclosure presents equations of motions for simulations performed in the subspace of deformations defined by an animator's rig. The method receives an input rig with a plurality of deformation parameters, and the dynamics of the character are simulated in the subspace of deformations described by the character's rig. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method that transforms stiffness values defined on rig parameters to a non-homogeneous distribution of material parameters for the underlying rig.

Abstract: There are provided an interactive design system and method for character crafting. An example system includes a memory storing a machine software application and a processor configured to execute the machine software application to receive a plurality of components for a character, the plurality of components including at least a first component and a second component, receive a movement for the character, the movement including a first pose for the character and a second pose for the character, calculate a linkage for the first component and the second component based on the movement, and generate an updated character by connecting the second component to the first component using the linkage. The linkage may include at least one of a connector, a trimmer, and a propagation mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a motion-based design system and a method for use in producing a motion-based design of a mechanical object. In one implementation, such a method includes identifying a motion curve associated with a movement by an articulated structure corresponding to the mechanical object, and mapping the motion curve to a mechanical sub-assembly. The mapping is performed based on a previously characterized trajectory of the mechanical sub-assembly and the similarity of that trajectory to the motion curve. The method also includes utilizing the first mechanical sub-assembly to substantially replicate the motion curve.

Abstract: A method of animation of surface deformation and wrinkling, such as on clothing, uses low-dimensional linear subspaces with temporally adapted bases to reduce computation. Full space simulation training data is used to construct a pool of low-dimensional bases across a pose space. For simulation, sets of basis vectors are selected based on the current pose of the character and the state of its clothing, using an adaptive scheme. Modifying the surface configuration comprises solving reduced system matrices with respect to the subspace of the adapted basis.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a 2D representation of an object may be provided. A first method may comprise: receiving sketch input identifying a target position for a specified portion of the object; computing a deformation for the object within the context of a character rig specification for the object; and displaying an updated version of the object. A second method may comprise detecting sketch input; classifying the sketch input, based on the 2D representation, as an instantiation of the object; instantiating the object using a 3D model of the object; and displaying a 3D visual representation of the object.

Abstract: There are provided an interactive design system and method for character crafting. An example system includes a memory storing a machine software application and a processor configured to execute the machine software application to receive a plurality of components for a character, the plurality of components including at least a first component and a second component, receive a movement for the character, the movement including a first pose for the character and a second pose for the character, calculate a linkage for the first component and the second component based on the movement, and generate an updated character by connecting the second component to the first component using the linkage. The linkage may include at least one of a connector, a trimmer, and a propagation mechanism.

Abstract: A method of animation of surface deformation and wrinkling, such as on clothing, uses low-dimensional linear subspaces with temporally adapted bases to reduce computation. Full space simulation training data is used to construct a pool of low-dimensional bases across a pose space. For simulation, sets of basis vectors are selected based on the current pose of the character and the state of its clothing, using an adaptive scheme. Modifying the surface configuration comprises solving reduced system matrices with respect to the subspace of the adapted basis.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for the computational design of linkage-based characters. The system including a display, a memory storing a software application, and a processor configured to execute the software application to display a linkage on the display, the linkage including a plurality of links and a plurality of motors, each of the plurality of links being connected to at least another of the plurality of links using one of the plurality of motors, receive a user input selecting a first link and a second link from the plurality of links and a motor from the plurality of motors, the motor being located between the first link and the second link, and generate an updated linkage by connecting the first link to the second link using a new link and replacing the motor with a pin.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods of optimizing walking machines. The system including a memory storing a software application and a processor configured to execute the software application to receive a character from a user, the character having walking mechanisms, determine optimal design parameters for the character based on the walking mechanisms, and alter the walking mechanisms of the character based on the optimal design parameters to generate altered walking mechanisms, wherein the optimal design parameters are for use by the character to walk using the altered walking mechanisms. Generating the altered walking mechanisms may include at least one of changing locations for joints on the walking mechanisms, changing the dimensions of the walking mechanisms, and changing motion timings for the walking mechanisms.

Abstract: There is provided a tensegrity design system and a method for use in designing a complex tensegrity structure. In one implementation, such a method includes providing virtual building blocks selectable by a user for assembly of a desired tensegrity structure, receive user-selected building blocks from among the plurality of virtual building blocks from the user, and identifying connections among the user-selected building blocks based on user inputs to the tensegrity design system. The method also includes determining a network of forces for stabilizing a tensegrity structure corresponding to the desired tensegrity structure, based on the user-selected building blocks and their connections, and generating a simulation of the tensegrity structure corresponding to the desired tensegrity structure for display to the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for physical face cloning to generate a synthetic skin. Rather than attempt to reproduce the mechanical properties of biological tissue, an output-oriented approach is utilized that models the synthetic skin as an elastic material with isotropic and homogeneous properties (e.g., silicone rubber). The method includes capturing a plurality of expressive poses from a human subject and generating a computational model based on one or more material parameters of a material. In one embodiment, the computational model is a compressible neo-Hookean material model configured to simulate deformation behavior of the synthetic skin. The method further includes optimizing a shape geometry of the synthetic skin based on the computational model and the captured expressive poses. An optimization process is provided that varies the thickness of the synthetic skin based on a minimization of an elastic energy with respect to rest state positions of the synthetic skin.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for physical face cloning to generate a synthetic skin. Rather than attempt to reproduce the mechanical properties of biological tissue, an output-oriented approach is utilized that models the synthetic skin as an elastic material with isotropic and homogeneous properties (e.g., silicone rubber). The method includes capturing a plurality of expressive poses from a human subject and generating a computational model based on one or more material parameters of a material. In one embodiment, the computational model is a compressible neo-Hookean material model configured to simulate deformation behavior of the synthetic skin. The method further includes optimizing a shape geometry of the synthetic skin based on the computational model and the captured expressive poses. An optimization process is provided that varies the thickness of the synthetic skin based on a minimization of an elastic energy with respect to rest state positions of the synthetic skin.