Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 35.4: Motion capture systems, such as the InsightVCS system pictured, record the
three-dimensional motion of a real actor and then apply those motions to avatars in the
virtual scene. (Courtesy of OptiTrack.)
Figure 35.5: Video tooning creates an animation from live-action footage [WXSC04]. This
kind of algorithm is an important open-research topic and a great project, but it is not
discussed further in this chapter. (Courtesy of Jue Wang and Michael Cohen. Drawn and
performed by Lean Joesch-Cohen. ©2004 ACM, Inc. Reprinted by permission.)
Finally, artists are essential! Even the best animation algorithms are ineffective
without expressive input data, and the worst animation algorithms can succeed if
controlled by a master animator. Those input data are created by artists employing
animation tools that are themselves complex software. To build such tools one
must appreciate the artists' goals and approach to animation. These tools shape
the format of the data that then feed the runtime systems.
