Patent ID: 7999812

Claim:
A method of implementing a locality-based morphing between two polygon-based models for rendering an affected object on a computer graphics display, comprising: providing a first polygon-based 3D model of an object and a second polygon-based 3D model of the object, the second 3D model being similar to the first 3D model but comprising plural predetermined spatially altered portions relative to said first model; providing one or more interpolation degree-of-change functions that define a percentage of morphing that is effected between said first and second models as a function of a predetermined interaction parameter; providing one or more locality-based morphing application curve profiles that define a gradient/curve which determines how morphing is to be implemented over a localized area of an object as a function of distance from an interaction point on the surface of an object; determining affected object information indicative of an interaction location point on said object; determining affected object information indicative of an interaction parameter, the interaction being based upon a selected one of said interpolation degree-of-change functions; performing a modified interpolation between one or more vertex associated attributes of said first polygon-based 3D model and said second polygon-based 3D model, wherein said interpolation is modified by using a selected one of said interpolation degree-of-change functions and applying a selected one of said locality-based morphing application curve profiles such that the interpolation is performed only between a subset of polygon vertices centered about the determined interaction location point on said object; and generating a new 3D model corresponding to a spatially selective metamorphosization of the first 3D model based on said modified interpolation between said first and second 3D models to provide a localized transformation of less than all of said object.