Patent ID: 6034695
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: G06F,G06T

Abstract:
A three dimensional modeling system for displaying a three dimensional animated image on a computer system, comprising:a memory for storing data and instructions;a processor for accessing the data and executing the instructions; and,wherein data stored in the memory includes a plurality of object descriptions, wherein each of the object descriptions defines a virtual graphical object of a three dimensional animated image, andwherein execution of the instructions stored in the memory by the processor causes the image to be displayed and causes the processor to carry out the steps of:storing, in the object descriptions, information defining an ordered list of one or more modifications that may be applied to the virtual graphical object to change the visual appearance of the virtual graphical object;applying a first modification from among the modifications to the object description to result in a modified object description;successively applying each of the other modifications to the modified object description according to the order of the list to result in successive modified descriptions and to thereby result in one or more changes to the visual appearance of the virtual graphical object;creating and storing a beginning key frame and an ending key frame, in which each key frame is defined by key values obtained from the information in the object descriptions, and wherein at least one of the key frames is rendered based on the last successive modified description; andinterpolating and storing at least one between frame logically located between the beginning key frame and the ending key frame, using the key values to interpolate one or more changes to the visual appearance of the virtual graphical object.