Abstract: In a graphics processing unit (GPU), receiving an input image comprising an array of pixels. Each pixel having a grayscale value from a range of N grayscale values. For each particular input patch of pixels of a set of input patches partitioning the input image and in parallel for each particular grayscale value the range, counting the number of pixels in the particular input patch having the particular grayscale value. In parallel for each particular input patch of pixels of a set of input patches partitioning the input image, creating an output image patch as an ordered sequence of N pixels, with the color value of the nth pixel in each corresponding output patch representing the count of pixels in the particular input patch having the nth grayscale value. Combining the output image patches into a single composite output image of N pixels, the pixel value of the nth pixel in the single composite output image corresponding to the count of pixels in the input image having the nth grayscale value.

Abstract: In a graphics processing unit (GPU), receiving an input image comprising an array of pixels. Each pixel having a gray scale value from a range of N grayscale values. For each particular input patch of pixels of a set of input patches partitioning the input image and in parallel for each particular grayscale value the range, counting the number of pixels in the particular input patch having the particular grayscale value. In parallel for each particular input patch of pixels of a set of input patches partitioning the input image, creating an output image patch as an ordered sequence of N pixels, with the color value of the nth pixel in each corresponding output patch representing the count of pixels in the particular input patch having the nth grayscale value. Combining the output image patches into a single composite output image of N pixels, the pixel value of the nth pixel in the single composite output image corresponding to the count of pixels in the input image having the nth grayscale value.

Abstract: Computer animation tools for viewing, in multiple contexts, the effect of changes to a computer animation are disclosed. An artist configures multiple visual displays in the user interface of a computer animation system. A visual display shows one or more frames of computer animation. An artist configures a visual display to reflect a specific context. For example, the artist may assign a particular virtual viewpoint of a scene to a particular visual display. Once visual displays are configured, the artist changes a configuration of the computer animation. For example, the artist may change the lighting parameters of a scene. In response, the visual displays show the visual effects of the configuration (e.g., lighting parameters) change under corresponding contexts (e.g., different virtual camera viewpoints). Using multiple visual displays, which may be displayed side-by-side, an artist can view the effects of her configuration changes in the various contexts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering three-dimensional images using a level graph are provided. The level graph is accessed, comprising a first node, a second node, and a target node. The second and target nodes are descendants of the first node. The first node comprises first scene description data, the second node comprises first variation data, and the target node comprises second variation data. The target node is selected for computation. Target node ancestors are determined. The first node and the second node are ancestors of the target node. A linearization of the ancestors is determined, comprising an order. A scene description is initialized using the first scene description data. The first variation is applied to the scene description, based on the linearization. The second variation is applied to the scene description to produce a final scene description. An image is rendered using the final scene description.

Abstract: Computer animation tools for viewing, in multiple contexts, the effect of changes to a computer animation are disclosed. An artist configures multiple visual displays in the user interface of a computer animation system. A visual display shows one or more frames of computer animation. An artist configures a visual display to reflect a specific context. For example, the artist may assign a particular virtual viewpoint of a scene to a particular visual display. Once visual displays are configured, the artist changes a configuration of the computer animation. For example, the artist may change the lighting parameters of a scene. In response, the visual displays show the visual effects of the configuration (e.g., lighting parameters) change under corresponding contexts (e.g., different virtual camera viewpoints). Using multiple visual displays, which may be displayed side-by-side, an artist can view the effects of her configuration changes in the various contexts.

Abstract: Computer animation tools for viewing, in multiple contexts, the effect of changes to a computer animation are disclosed. An artist configures multiple visual displays in the user interface of a computer animation system. A visual display shows one or more frames of computer animation. An artist configures a visual display to reflect a specific context. For example, the artist may assign a particular virtual viewpoint of a scene to a particular visual display. Once visual displays are configured, the artist changes a configuration of the computer animation. For example, the artist may change the lighting parameters of a scene. In response, the visual displays show the visual effects of the configuration (e.g., lighting parameters) change under corresponding contexts (e.g., different virtual camera viewpoints). Using multiple visual displays, which may be displayed side-by-side, an artist can view the effects of her configuration changes in the various contexts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering three-dimensional images using a render setup graph are provided. A dependency graph is accessed. The dependency graph comprises a plurality of supplier nodes, a multiplexer node, and a plurality of graphlet nodes. The plurality of supplier nodes is accessed. The supplier nodes each have an output of a first type. These outputs are connected to the multiplexer node. A graphlet is accessed. The graphlet comprises the plurality of graphlet nodes. An output of the multiplexer node connects to the graphlet by connecting to an input of one node of the plurality of graphlet nodes. The multiplexer is configured to generate an instance of the graphlet for each supplier node connected to the multiplexer node. An image is rendered utilizing the accessed graphlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering an image using a render setup graph are provided. The render setup graph may be used to configure and manage lighting configuration data as well as external processes used to render the computer-generated image. The render setup graph may include a dependency graph having nodes interconnected by edges along which objects and object configuration data may be passed between nodes. The nodes may be used to provide a source of objects and object configuration data, configure visual effects of an object, partition a set of objects, call external processes, perform data routing functions within the graph, and the like. In this way, the render setup graph may advantageously be used to organize configuration data and execution of processes for rendering an image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for partitioning a set of animation objects using a node in a render setup graph are provided. The render setup graph may be used to configure and manage lighting configuration data as well as external processes used to render the computer-generated image. The render setup graph may include a dependency graph having nodes interconnected by edges along which objects and object configuration data may be passed between nodes. The nodes may be used to provide a source of objects and object configuration data, configure visual effects of an object, partition a set of objects, call external processes, perform data routing functions within the graph, and the like. The objects can be partitioned based on attributes of the objects and associated configuration data. In this way, the render setup graph may advantageously be used to organize configuration data and execution of processes for rendering an image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using hierarchical tags to create a computer-generated animation are provided. The hierarchical tags may be used to organize, identify, and select animation assets in order to configure animation parameters used to render a computer-generated image. The hierarchical tags may be used to display representations of animation assets for selection. A hierarchy based on the hierarchical tags may be represented by a tree structure. The hierarchical tags may be used as part of a rule to partition animation assets. In this way, the hierarchical tags may advantageously be used to identify, organize, and select animation assets and perform animation processes.

Abstract: Preservation and reuse of intermediate data generated in a render setup graph for computer animation is disclosed. A processing node in the graph can generate intermediate data and, rather than send it directly to a downstream node in the graph, preserve it for reuse during subsequent processing. As a result, a downstream processing node can reuse the preserved intermediate data, rather than wait while the intermediate data is generated by the processing node in realtime. An intermediate data file management module can manage this process by storing the generated intermediate data in a file for preservation, retrieving the stored intermediate data from the file for reuse, optimizing the file storage location for speed and efficiency, and facilitating sharing of the intermediate data during collaboration between users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for partitioning a set of animation objects using a node in a render setup graph are provided. The render setup graph may be used to configure and manage lighting configuration data as well as external processes used to render the computer-generated image. The render setup graph may include a dependency graph having nodes interconnected by edges along which objects and object configuration data may be passed between nodes. The nodes may be used to provide a source of objects and object configuration data, configure visual effects of an object, partition a set of objects, call external processes, perform data routing functions within the graph, and the like. The objects can be partitioned based on attributes of the objects and associated configuration data. In this way, the render setup graph may advantageously be used to organize configuration data and execution of processes for rendering an image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering three-dimensional images using a render setup graph are provided. A dependency graph is accessed. The dependency graph comprises a plurality of supplier nodes, a multiplexer node, and a plurality of graphlet nodes. The plurality of supplier nodes is accessed. The supplier nodes each have an output of a first type. These outputs are connected to the multiplexer node. A graphlet is accessed. The graphlet comprises the plurality of graphlet nodes. An output of the multiplexer node connects to the graphlet by connecting to an input of one node of the plurality of graphlet nodes. The multiplexer is configured to generate an instance of the graphlet for each supplier node connected to the multiplexer node. An image is rendered utilizing the accessed graphlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using hierarchical tags to create a computer-generated animation are provided. The hierarchical tags may be used to organize, identify, and select animation assets in order to configure animation parameters used to render a computer-generated image. The hierarchical tags may be used to display representations of animation assets for selection. A hierarchy based on the hierarchical tags may be represented by a tree structure. The hierarchical tags may be used as part of a rule to partition animation assets. In this way, the hierarchical tags may advantageously be used to identify, organize, and select animation assets and perform animation processes.

Abstract: Preservation and reuse of intermediate data generated in a render setup graph for computer animation is disclosed. A processing node in the graph can generate intermediate data and, rather than send it directly to a downstream node in the graph, preserve it for reuse during subsequent processing. As a result, a downstream processing node can reuse the preserved intermediate data, rather than wait while the intermediate data is generated by the processing node in realtime. An intermediate data file management module can manage this process by storing the generated intermediate data in a file for preservation, retrieving the stored intermediate data from the file for reuse, optimizing the file storage location for speed and efficiency, and facilitating sharing of the intermediate data during collaboration between users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering three-dimensional images using a level graph are provided. The level graph is accessed, comprising a first node, a second node, and a target node. The second and target nodes are descendants of the first node. The first node comprises first scene description data, the second node comprises first variation data, and the target node comprises second variation data. The target node is selected for computation. Target node ancestors are determined. The first node and the second node are ancestors of the target node. A linearization of the ancestors is determined, comprising an order. A scene description is initialized using the first scene description data. The first variation is applied to the scene description, based on the linearization. The second variation is applied to the scene description to produce a final scene description. An image is rendered using the final scene description.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering an image using a render setup graph are provided. The render setup graph may be used to configure and manage lighting configuration data as well as external processes used to render the computer-generated image. The render setup graph may include a dependency graph having nodes interconnected by edges along which objects and object configuration data may be passed between nodes. The nodes may be used to provide a source of objects and object configuration data, configure visual effects of an object, partition a set of objects, call external processes, perform data routing functions within the graph, and the like. In this way, the render setup graph may advantageously be used to organize configuration data and execution of processes for rendering an image.

Abstract: Computer animation tools for viewing, in multiple contexts, the effect of changes to a computer animation are disclosed. An artist configures multiple visual displays in the user interface of a computer animation system. A visual display shows one or more frames of computer animation. An artist configures a visual display to reflect a specific context. For example, the artist may assign a particular virtual viewpoint of a scene to a particular visual display. Once visual displays are configured, the artist changes a configuration of the computer animation. For example, the artist may change the lighting parameters of a scene. In response, the visual displays show the visual effects of the configuration (e.g., lighting parameters) change under corresponding contexts (e.g., different virtual camera viewpoints). Using multiple visual displays, which may be displayed side-by-side, an artist can view the effects of her configuration changes in the various contexts.