Computer Animation Software Research Articles

Animations and the Role of Emotions

How can an animator capture and analyse emotion? Might the act of animating something itself be a way to access meaning that earlier studies were unable to do? Animation has the ability to both accentuate and hide emotions that are displayed through body language and gesture. We are exposed to both the spoken words and the subtle variations in body motions when we watch live action (human interview) documentary film. What may be gained by interpreting documentary video via the animator's personal and aesthetic perspective, or how much might be lost when it is converted into animation? This study investigates the outcomes of the initial of a series of animations produced utilising research via practise approach, drawing on my prior expertise as a game's animator. The process of manipulating images to provide them the appearance of motion is referred to as animation. By creating a series of images, or frameworks, with one frame being a bit distinct relative to the last, a representation of movement is produced. Cartoons are among the best forms of animation. Animated videos have always been hand-drawn, using a great deal of visuals made with minor adjustments using color as well as a sharpie. A lot of contemporary animation was produced using an arsenal of specialized software programs as computer technology and animation software proliferated.

Cramér–Rao lower bound calculations for image registration using simulated phenomenology

The Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) is a valuable tool to quantify fundamental limits to estimation problems associated with imaging systems, and has been used previously to study image registration performance bounds. Most existing work, however, assumes constant-variance noise; for many applications, noise is signal-dependent. Further, linear filters applied after detection can potentially yield reduced registration error, but prior work has not treated the CRLB behavior caused by filter-imposed noise correlation. We have developed computational methods to efficiently generalize existing image registration CRLB calculations to account for the effect of both signal-dependent noise and linear filtering on the estimation of rigid-translation ("shift") parameters. Because effective use of the CRLB requires radiometrically realistic simulated imagery, we have also developed methods to exploit computer animation software and available optical properties databases to conveniently build and modify synthetic objects for radiometric image simulations using DIRSIG. In this paper, we present the generalized expressions for the rigid shift Fisher information matrix and discuss the properties of the associated CRLB. We discuss the methods used to synthesize object "sets" for use in DIRSIG, and then demonstrate the use of simulated imagery in the CRLB code to choose an error-minimizing filter and optimal integration time for an image-based tracker in the presence of random platform jitter.

Behind the Scenes: A Study of Autodesk Maya

Automation lies at the centre of many debates surrounding computer-generated animation. Rarely used as a neutral term, it is frequently a marker of changing practices somehow outside the control of human users of technologies, often threatening the terms on which agency is founded. This understanding of automation and computer animation software can be complicated by insights from software studies. Accordingly, 3D animation software Autodesk Maya is explored through a methodology that places an analysis of the visual organization of the user interface alongside interviews with users of the software, in particular modellers and animators. Discussion of the interview material is framed through Noah Wardrip-Fruin’s ideas on expressive processing and Adrian Mackenzie’s account of software and agency. The argument put forward is that users experience the automation of software via their interactions with the user interface, and that inputs generated through human users and automation counterpoint rather eclipse each other.

Effects of Interactive Technology on Home-Based Rehabilitation for Chronic Stroke Patient

This study aimed to apply low-cost interactive technology to home-based rehabilitation training for patients suffering from chronic stroke. It also focuses on discussing the results of the integration of interactive computer game training with home-based rehabilitation training in helping these patients. We conducted an experiment following the reversal design of single-subject research, in which a patient suffering with chronic stroke was given home-based rehabilitation training. In addition to interactive computer technology, the experiment also involved the adoption of a low-cost Wii Remote controller as an infrared receiver and a homemade infrared emitter supplemented by computer animation software to investigate the outcome of a home-based rehabilitation program. Data analysis is based on collection of points by the participant throughout the experiment and adopting visual analysis to discuss the outcome of interactive technology integrated with home-based rehabilitation. The results of this research show that the subject was able to stand on one leg for a few seconds longer than prior to the adoption of interactive technology integrated with home-based rehabilitation. Furthermore, parents of this patient and the therapists involved believe that the research and this innovative approach improved the patients performance in rehabilitation. The subject not only showed better motivation with regard to rehabilitation but also greater independence and enhanced capability of integrating into society.

Three-dimensional virtual model and animation of penile lengthening surgery

Three-dimensional digital models, animations, and simulations have been used in the plastic surgical field for surgical education and training and patient education. In penile lengthening surgery, proper patient selection and well-designed surgical interventions are necessary; however, no such surgical or patient education tool exists. Using magnetic resonance images as references, a preliminary three-dimensional digital model of the penis with its adjacent structures was constructed using Amira 5. This preliminary model was imported into Maya 2009, a computer modeling and animation software program, for processing to correct many defects. The refined model was used to create digital animation of penile lengthening surgery, including ordered steps of the procedure, using Maya 2009 and Adobe After Effects CS4. A three-dimensional digital animation was created to illustrate penile lengthening surgery. All major surgical steps were demonstrated, including exposure, transversal incision of the fundiform ligament, partial division and release of the suspensory ligament. Three-dimensional digital models and animations of penile lengthening surgery may serve as resources for patient education to facilitate patient selection and resident education outside the operating room.

A Matter of Animation

Education Students of chemistry often have trouble making the connection between macroscopic phenomena they can see and the underlying molecular events operating on a scale too small to visualize directly. Chang et al. investigated whether seventh-grade students' understanding of the molecular structure of matter could improve with the help of computer animation software to portray molecular events in familiar processes such as boiling. Specifically, the authors sought to assess the relative efficacies of three approaches: design and interpretation by individual students of animations illustrating chemical phenomena; self-design of animations followed by interactive critiquing sessions with peers in the class; and examination by students of purely teacher-generated animations. Assessments were based on comparative test performance before and after the animation project. Data from 178 students supported significantly greater gains in understanding among students who participated in peer evaluation than among those who simply prepared animations alone. Thus, including an interactive evaluation component may take more time, but it appears to be time well spent. There was no significant difference in test outcome between the students in the peer-evaluation group and those in the teacher-generated animation group, though the former students did perform slightly better in an assessment of their ability to interpret molecular animations in class. Sci. Educ. 93 , 10.1002/sce.20352 (2009).

A Digital Incorporation of Ergonomics into Architectural Design

A project that is particularly designed for digital studio settings is described. Facilitated by multiple computer modeling and animation software, the project incorporates concepts and applications of ergonomics and kinetics as two ingredients and concept generators with problem-based learning techniques into architectural designing. Reflections about the project and its outcomes are reported and discussed. The results indicate that considerations of ergonomics, flexibility, mobility and responsiveness in dynamic structures and their interactions with users can enrich and optimize generated designs. Similarly, the application of problem-based designing approach seems to foster critical thinking of participants and improve their involvement in collaborative design processing.

ALVW: an alife behaviour modelling system

PurposeSeeks to present here a system that enables the user to design artificial worlds and inhabitants within these worlds.Design/methodology/approachAn alife (artificial life) approach is used in order to obtain complex behaviour as the emergence of a set of basic behaviours which interact within the environment and between them. Through the paper, the reader will find the necessary details to understand the architecture and the computational model of the system, as well as the way to use it in a specific application: modelling behaviour for synthetic cockroaches within his own environment.FindingsA detailed example is given of how this application can be used in simulating ecological environments, where the user can design an inhabited ecosystem and observe (tuning it if necessary) the evolution of the artificial ecosystem. Also outlined is another example of how this research system can be coupled with a commercial 3D computer animation software; the goal in this case is to produce automatically a script for a computer animation, reflecting what is happening in the artificial world.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper describes a technical research system that allows the user to design reactive behaviour modelling for cockroaches. The next natural step is to make a cognitive behaviour modelling and to extend it to other animals.Practical implicationsFusion between research systems and commercial packages (in this case, for example, behaviour modelling and 3D computer animation systems) can be an important issue.Originality/valueThe main interests of the presented system face compared with the existing ones are the coordinated use of several alife techniques, the integral approach (design of both the environment and the inhabitants), a computationally reasonable implementation of the system as an artificial ecosystem, and the possibility of using the results of such a research system as an input for a commercial 3D software in order to obtain 3D realistic computer animations.

Procedural rhythmic character animation: an interactive Chinese lion dance

AbstractThe creation of a stylistic animation through the use of high‐level controls has always been a design goal for computer animation software. In this paper, we propose a procedural animation system, called rhythmic character animation playacting (RhyCAP), which allows a designer to interactively direct animated characters by adjusting rhythmic parameters such as tempo, exaggeration, and timing. The motions thus generated reflect the intention of the director and also adapt to environmental obstacle constraints. We use a sequence of martial‐art steps in the performance of a Chinese lion dance to illustrate the effectiveness of the system. The animation is generated by composition of common motion elements, concisely represented in an action graph. We have implemented an animation control program that allows Chinese lion dance to be choreographed interactively. This authoring tool also serves as a useful means for preserving this part of world cultural heritage. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Designing a Virtual Reality Model for Aesthetic Surgery

Aesthetic surgery deals in large part with the manipulation of soft-tissue structures that are not amenable to visualization by standard technologies. As a result, accurate three-dimensional depictions of relevant surgical anatomy have yet to be developed. This study presents a method for the creation of detailed virtual reality models of anatomy relevant to aesthetic surgery. Two-dimensional histologic sections of a cadaver from the National Library of Medicine's Visible Human Project were imported into Alias's Maya, a computer modeling and animation software package. These two-dimensional data were then "stacked" as a series of vertical planes. Relevant anatomy was outlined in cross-section on each two-dimensional section, and the resulting outlines were used to generate three-dimensional representations of the structures in Maya. A detailed and accurate three-dimensional model of the soft tissues germane to aesthetic surgery was created. This model is optimized for use in surgical animation and can be modified for use in surgical simulators currently being developed. A model of facial anatomy viewable from any angle in three-dimensional space was developed. The model has applications in medical education and, with future work, could play a role in surgical planning. This study emphasizes the role of three-dimensionalization of the soft tissues of the face in the evolution of aesthetic surgery.

Computation and visualization of regional-scale forest disturbance and associated dissolved nitrogen export from Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Long-term watershed research conducted in Shenandoah National Park (SNP) in Virginia and elsewhere in the eastern U.S. indicates that annual export of dissolved nitrogen (N) from gaged forested watersheds to surface waters increases dramatically in response to vegetation disturbances. Dissolved N leakage is a common, well-documented response of small forested watersheds to logging in the larger region, while recent defoliation outbreaks of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larva in the deciduous forests of SNP have been shown to generate similar biogeochemical responses. A recent modeling analysis further suggests that a parsimonious, empirical, unit N export response function (UNERF) model can explain large percentages of the temporal variation in annual N export from a group of small gaged forested watersheds in the years following disturbance. The empirical UNERF modeling approach is completely analogous to the unit hydrograph technique for describing storm runoff, with the model representing annual N export as a linear deterministic process both in space and in time. The purposes of this analysis are to (1) test the applicability of the UNERF model using quarterly streamwater nitrate data from a group of ungaged watersheds in SNP; (2) demonstrate a park-wide application of a regional UNERF model that references the geographic distributions of bedrock geology and the timing and extent of gypsy moth defoliation over the entire SNP area; and (3) visualize the temporal and spatial patterns in vegetation disturbance and annual dissolved N export through the use of computer animation software. During water year 1992, the year of peak defoliation, our modeling study suggests that park-wide export had transiently increased by 1700% from a baseline rate of about 0.1 kg/ha/year. SNP forests appear to be characteristic of other N-limited second-growth forests in the eastern U.S. that leak little N under undisturbed conditions, despite receiving relatively large inputs of N from atmospheric deposition sources. Vegetation disturbances can apparently cause major changes in N input-output balances with potentially important ramifications for low-order forest streams and downstream receiving waters.

Design and validation of a machine for reproducible precision insertion of femoral hip prostheses for preclinical testing.

Preclinical testing of orthopaedic implants is becoming increasingly important to eliminate inferior designs before animal experiments or clinical trials are begun. Preclinical tests can include both laboratory bench tests and computational modeling. One problem with bench tests is that variability in prosthesis insertion can significantly influence the failure rate; this makes comparison of prostheses more difficult. To solve this problem an insertion method is required that is both accurate and reproducible. In this work, a general approach to the insertion of hip prostheses into femoral bones is proposed based on physically replicating an insertion path determined using computer animation. As a first step, the seated prosthesis position is determined from templates and femur radiographs. Three-dimensional images of the prosthesis and bone are then imported into computer animation software and an insertion path in the coronal plane is determined. The insertion path is used to determine the profile of a cam. By attaching the prosthesis to a carriage, which is pneumatically moved along this cam, the required insertion motion of the prosthesis in the coronal plane can be achieved. This paper describes the design and validation of the insertion machine. For the validation study, a nonsymmetric hip prosthesis design (Lubinus SPII, Waldemar Link, Germany) is used. It is shown that the insertion machine has sufficient accuracy and reproducibility for preclinical mechanical testing.