Pacific Data Images LLC

Dreamworks Animation LLC

Feng Xie

Peter Farson

Jiawei Ou

Nick Foster

A technique for rendering an image of hair in a computer-generated scene is described. The scene includes a virtual light source and a hair virtual object comprising a material model. A hair shading function partly defining the material model is accessed. A set of random values is generated. The hair shading function is importance sampled by converting the set of random values into a set of light direction samples based on a Cauchy distribution. The probability density function of each converted light direction sample uses a Cauchy distribution. A light color value and a hair color value are computed for each light direction sample of the set of light direction samples. The light color values and the hair color values are weighted to determine a set of weighted values. A characteristic of a pixel representing part of the virtual object is determined based on the set of weighted values.

Importance sampling for hair scattering

A method and apparatus for high quality soft shadows for area lights in cinematic lighting for use in computer graphics, such as computer enabled animation. The method is an extension of traditional shadow maps, so the complexity of the present method is independent of geometric complexity. It uses multilayer translucent shadow maps, which can be used to produce high quality soft shadows for scenes with extremely complex geometry, fur, and volume objects. The present method computes the shadow factor by ray tracing the multilayer translucent shadow map.

Soft shadows for cinematic lighting for computer graphics

A computer-based animation method and system for deforming animated characters (people, animals, etc.) using a volume preserving and collision resolution process for the animation. Parts of a character are deformed by a soft mesh deformation to emulate skin deformation due to flesh and muscle movement driven by the rigid body animation along the character's joints. Resolution of the interpenetration or volume loss of deformed parts is needed for smooth and realistic animation. The present method and system enable automatic collision resolution, allowing local deformations on two intersecting parts of a character so the parts no longer interpenetrate, while preserving the volume and general shape of the two parts, e.g., the character's torso and a limb.

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Belmont, CA, United States of America

Feng Xie