Reusable deformations for computer animation

Simplified animation

Pervasive in feature films, special effects, instructional videos, and computer games, animation has become a major part of our entertainment and education. But it’s an extremely labor- and cost-intensive process. This research could significantly advance the science of animation, saving animators time, effort, and money. The goal is to develop a way to enable animation programs to transfer physical behaviors from one animated “being” to another. So, for example, once you’ve created a convincing animation of one shady character “sneaking,” it will be much easier and faster to create another character that is acting the same way. There are many different types and techniques of animation, and this project could eventually simplify and enhance all of them.