Importance

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Abstract

The present invention provides a method of allowing a user to efficiently direct the generation of frames in a computer animation. An object within a frame has an initial representation, e.g., position, orientation, scale, intensity, etc. A vector response characteristic can be associated with the object, where the vector response characteristic specifies how the representation of the object changes in response to applied vectors. For example, a ball might accelerate proportional to the directed magnitude of an applied vector, while a light source might change in intensity and color according to the direction and magnitude of an applied vector. Each object can have its own vector response characteristic, multiple vector response characteristics (e.g., applicable if different parts of the animation), and constraints on its vector response characteristics (e.g., must stay connected to another object). Objects can also generate their own vectors to apply to other objects (e.g., a wall can generate a vector to discourage objects from penetrating the wall).

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First Claim