Abstract: A method for computer animation includes receiving an input file that includes an asset geometry, where the asset geometry defines an asset mesh structure, where the asset geometry may exclude an internal support frame, and where logic for custom deformation steps may be included, altogether in a fashion portable and made to produce consistent results across multiple different software and/or hardware platform environments and/or across real-time and/or offline scenarios. The method also includes applying at least one deformer to the asset mesh structure, where the at least one deformer includes a plurality of user-selectable deformer channels, and where each deformer channel is associated with at least a portion of the asset mesh structure and is configured to adjust a visual appearance of the associated portion of the asset mesh structure.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method includes obtaining a set of preselected attribute values for an objective-effectuator. In some implementations, the method includes while displaying a user interface including a plurality of configuration control affordances provided to effect configuration of one or more attributes characterizing the objective-effectuator, in response to receiving an input indicative of manipulation of a first configuration control affordance, setting a corresponding first attribute to a particular preselected attribute value, and modifying display of the plurality of configuration control affordances in order to change the number of the plurality of configuration control affordances displayed. In some implementations, the method includes configuring the objective-effectuator at least based on the particular preselected attribute value of the first attribute. In some implementations, the objective-effectuator is associated with a set of predefined actions.

Abstract: A method for computer animation includes receiving an input file that includes an asset geometry, where the asset geometry defines an asset mesh structure, where the asset geometry may exclude an internal support frame, and where logic for custom deformation steps may be included, altogether in a fashion portable and made to produce consistent results across multiple different software and/or hardware platform environments and/or across real-time and/or offline scenarios. The method also includes applying at least one deformer to the asset mesh structure, where the at least one deformer includes a plurality of user-selectable deformer channels, and where each deformer channel is associated with at least a portion of the asset mesh structure and is configured to adjust a visual appearance of the associated portion of the asset mesh structure.

Abstract: A method for computer animation includes receiving, by a processor executing a multi-platform deformation engine system in association with a third-party game engine system, an input file that includes an asset geometry, where the asset geometry defines an asset mesh structure, where the asset geometry may exclude an internal support frame, and where logic for custom deformation steps may be included, altogether in a fashion portable and made to produce consistent results across multiple different software and/or hardware platform environments and/or across real-time and/or offline scenarios. The method also includes applying at least one deformer to the asset mesh structure, where the at least one deformer includes a plurality of user-selectable deformer channels, and where each deformer channel is associated with at least a portion of the asset mesh structure and configured to adjust a visual appearance of the associated portion of the asset mesh structure.

Abstract: A method for computer animation includes receiving, by a processor executing a multi-platform deformation engine system in association with a third-party game engine system, an input file that includes an asset geometry, where the asset geometry defines an asset mesh structure, where the asset geometry may exclude an internal support frame, and where logic for custom deformation steps may be included, altogether in a fashion portable and made to produce consistent results across multiple different software and/or hardware platform environments and/or across real-time and/or offline scenarios. The method also includes applying at least one deformer to the asset mesh structure, where the at least one deformer includes a plurality of user-selectable deformer channels, and where each deformer channel is associated with at least a portion of the asset mesh structure and configured to adjust a visual appearance of the associated portion of the asset mesh structure.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method includes obtaining a set of preselected attribute values for an objective-effectuator. In some implementations, the method includes while displaying a user interface including a plurality of configuration control affordances provided to effect configuration of one or more attributes characterizing the objective-effectuator, in response to receiving an input indicative of manipulation of a first configuration control affordance, setting a corresponding first attribute to a particular preselected attribute value, and modifying display of the plurality of configuration control affordances in order to change the number of the plurality of configuration control affordances displayed. In some implementations, the method includes configuring the objective-effectuator at least based on the particular preselected attribute value of the first attribute. In some implementations, the objective-effectuator is associated with a set of predefined actions.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an evaluation engine, which is a system for evaluating the state of an animation at a specific time where secondary animation may be derived from the state of the animation at another time. Unlike DAG-based systems where time is another variable, time is external to the evaluation engine so that it can easily evaluate alternate times and even entire simulations. It also comprises meshes which support instancing and edge weights, and which employ and extensible system of polygon types to support subdivision surface approximation using a set of bi-quadratic patches which solve quickly. The meshes can also be animated by the evaluation engine using a mesh stack, which has multiple evaluation paths for quickly computing mesh attributes without performing a full evaluation.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an evaluation engine, which is a system for evaluating the state of an animation at a specific time where secondary animation may be derived from the state of the animation at another time. Unlike DAG-based systems where time is another variable, time is external to the evaluation engine so that it can easily evaluate alternate times and even entire simulations. It also comprises meshes which support instancing and edge weights, and which employ and extensible system of polygon types to support subdivision surface approximation using a set of bi-quadratic patches which solve quickly. The meshes can also be animated by the evaluation engine using a mesh stack, which has multiple evaluation paths for quickly computing mesh attributes without performing a full evaluation.

Abstract: The present invention allows users to customize user interfaces within software programs on the fly. By customizing user interfaces users can streamline their own work process, particularly when the user is dealing with large amounts of data. In addition to customizing user interfaces, the present invention also allows users to more easily select portions of an object with the select more command and to more easily enter exact numeric values with detents on mouse input.