Pixar

Thomas A Hahn

Andrew Witkin

Marco Jorge Da Silva

Frank Sebastian Grassia

Malcolm Blanchard

Jayson G Price

Techniques for smoothing curves used in computer animation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a smoothing application determines a number of tangents to a curve in response to a modification to a knot or the addition of a new knot, by first determining phantom tangents at knots that are neighbors of each knot that is processed. The smoothing application then (1) determines a length of each side of the tangent at each knot being processed as 1/N times the x-axis distance to a neighboring knot on the same side, (2) determines initial angles of the tangent at each knot being processed by pointing a tip of each side of the tangent at a near tip of a previously determined phantom tangent on the same side, and (3) reconciles the initial angles determined for the tangent at each knot being processed by taking a weighted sum of those initial angles.

System and method for smoothing computer animation curves

Techniques for automatically maintaining continuity in animation across discrete animation changes. Smooth animation is achieved without forcing the animator to manually calculate compensation values or introducing extra controls to the models that are animated. Continuity or smoothness of the animation is maintained as varying aspects of the animation change under continued authoring.

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Piedmont, CA, United States of America

Thomas A Hahn