Dreamworks Animation LLC

Nick Foster

Peter Farson

Feng Xie

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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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Nick Foster