Patent ID: 6353437
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method of defining and using a group of animation objects for in an animation including at least one object, comprising the steps of:(i) defining at least one membership rule for a group of animation objects, the at least one membership rule having a preselected user-defined evaluation time associated therewith and being characterized so as to dynamically determine, during the associated preselected time, animation object membership for the group; (ii) defining at least one parameter for the group; (iii) evaluating, at a preselected interval, the at least one membership rule for each object in the animation and placing each object which meets the at least one membership rule into the group and applying the at least one parameter to each object within the group dynamically determining the animation object membership by evaluating, at the preselected time, the at least one membership rule for each animation object for compliance with the rule, and dynamically associating complying ones of the animation objects with the group during the preselected time; and (iv) applying the at least one parameter to each said object associated with the group during the preselected time.