JP2005165991A - Video information production method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set camera work in a virtual reality space such as a computer graphic in which a video object is arranged.
A video object selected by a user is recognized, and a plurality of images obtained by capturing the recognized video object as a subject and having a plurality of compositions are displayed. When the user selects at least one of the plurality of images displayed using the input means, at least one value of the position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera corresponding to the selected image is set. Set.
[Selection] Figure 9

Description

  This description relates to a video information production method for setting camera work in a virtual reality space, and more particularly, to a technique for facilitating camera work setting.

  An example of a conventional representative video information production apparatus will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a video information production apparatus. 101 is a CPU, 102 is a memory, 103 is a CG (Computer Graphics) animation generation unit, 104 is a speech synthesis unit, 105 is a sequencer unit, and 106 is an input. The apparatus includes a monitor, 107 a monitor, 108 a moving image generation unit, 109 a magnetic storage device, and 110 a bus. The CPU 101 is connected to the memory 102, the CG animation generation unit 103, the voice synthesis unit 104, the sequencer unit 105, the input device 106, the monitor 107, the moving image generation unit 108, and the magnetic storage device 109 via the bus 110. .

  In FIG. 1, a CG animation generation unit 103 generates a CG animation of an appearing character or a studio set. The voice synthesizer 104 generates a voice (such as speech, crying, onomatopoeia, and studio sound effects) of the appearing character. The moving image generation unit 108 displays a previously edited moving image. The memory 102 stores event information such as the resentment and motion of characters appearing corresponding to a scenario such as video content, moving image generation, and audio playback. Here, as an example, the event information is written in a TVML (TV Program Making Language (registered trademark)) language, but is not limited thereto.

Here, in the rules of the TVML language specification version 1.1 (http://www.str.nhk.or.jp/TVML/TVMLManual/tvml_j.html), one event is described as follows.
Event type: command name (arg1 = data1, arg2 = data2, arg3 = data3 ...)
There are 12 types of events, each of which has a plurality of commands. The arg in the command argument is in no particular order. Note that the entire event information sequence arranged in time series as video content is called a script.

  The sequencer unit 105 controls the CG animation generation unit 103, the voice synthesis unit 104, and the moving image generation unit 108 based on the event information of the video content stored in the memory 102, and sequentially generates the video content. The input device 106 is for instructing display on the monitor 107, instructing playback on the sequencer unit 105, and editing event information of video content stored in the memory 102, and mainly performs GUI operations. It consists of a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard. The monitor 107 displays a screen for editing the generated video content and event information of the video content. The magnetic storage device 109 stores character modeling data, studio data, video information of moving images, audio data (music, background sounds, other audio data), and the like, and event information of video content, etc. Application programs for editing are stored.

  The magnetic storage device 109 may be a random file, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a transmission network, or a remote file. The bus 110 connects each component of the video information production apparatus. The CPU 101 transmits and receives signals to and from other components connected via the bus 110, and each component is controlled by an access signal from the CPU 101. Note that the video information production apparatus can also be connected to other apparatuses via the bus 110.

FIG. 2 is an example of a video content event information editing screen in a conventional video information production apparatus. In FIG. 2, 201 is a script screen in which events are arranged in time series, 202 is a parameter setting screen for setting command arguments, and 203 is a preview screen for previewing a video to be played back.
By using the video information production apparatus configured as described above, it is possible to generate and output video content by arranging persons and props appearing in the video content in the studio. The details are as described in Patent Document 1.

Here, in the description of paragraph 1 of patent document 1 and subsequent paragraphs and FIG. 8, the camera position is set to “front”, “right”, “left”, “directly above”, and “right diagonally upward”. Therefore, it is described that the camera position can be easily changed.
Further, FIGS. 8 to 10 of Patent Document 2 describe that a plurality of images captured at a plurality of angles of view can be displayed simultaneously, so that the appearance due to the difference in the angle of view of the camera can be easily grasped. .

      JP 2002-92651 A       JP-A-5-113745

  By the way, the basics of camera work are usually the position (position), angle (orientation), and size (view angle) of the camera, and the composition of the obtained video is determined by these three elements. If you are familiar with the camera, you can see how the above three elements relate to the subject (video object), but beginners have difficulty understanding the relationship between the above three elements and the subject. Because there are many, it takes time and trial and error. Here, the camera work is, for example, that the composition of the video of the camera in the virtual reality space is changed by zooming in or zooming out, or the camera determined by the position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera. This means determining the composition.

  Similarly, in the camera settings of the conventional video information production device, it is necessary to recognize the character position and orientation and set the camera position, orientation, and angle of view. It takes time to do. In other words, in order to check whether the video is desired in each scene, first, the camera position, orientation, and angle of view are set on the parameter setting screen 202, and then the video reflecting the settings is previewed. Since the image is displayed on the screen 203, usually, an operation for changing the setting from the initially set position, angle, and angle of view of the camera is performed. Therefore, even a beginner can make camera settings while watching the video on the preview screen 203 in conjunction with the mouse operation, but for example, it is difficult to come up with a bird's eye shot or a person shot, and the monotonous composition There is a problem that it becomes an image.

  As a function for simplifying the camera setting operation, in the above-mentioned TVML language specification version 1.1, “close-up”, “two-shot”, etc. are prepared. Although it is possible to obtain an image with an appropriate angle of view from any position, this function only facilitates the operation of the camera zooming on the subject. It does not support the camera setting operation to provide the video.

  Also, a configuration for switching from “front”, “right”, “left”, “directly above”, and “diagonally right” of the items of the user viewpoint selection menu 801 shown in FIG. Is simply equivalent to “front view”, “right side view”, “left side view”, “plan view” and “perspective view” in a three-dimensional space, and the camera is Since it is not possible to set the subject, it is fixed no matter where the subject is or where it is facing. Therefore, it cannot be said that the camera setting for obtaining the desired video is facilitated.

  Further, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of images captured at a plurality of angles of view are simultaneously displayed as described in Patent Document 2, the user inputs (x, y, z) coordinates for the viewpoint position. By setting the position of the subject, it remains to easily grasp the appearance due to the difference in the angle of view. In addition, the desired image may not be obtained simply by changing the angle of view while fixing the position and orientation of the camera. For example, an image that captures the entire body of the subject (full figure) and an image that captures the close-up of the subject's face (close-up) are different from the center of gravity of the whole body and the center of gravity of the face. Just changing the angle of view with a fixed orientation does not always capture it well.

Furthermore, in the New Wave LightWave 3D and the like, the perspective 1001, the camera view 1002, the upper surface 1003, and the right surface 1004 of the three-dimensional CG space are simultaneously displayed as shown in FIG. You can set the position, orientation, and angle of view by manipulating the figure, but you cannot set the camera for a specific subject simply by selecting an item such as “Close-up” It is also impossible to set the camera by restricting the relative distance and relative direction with respect to the subject.
The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video information production method that facilitates camera settings.

The video information production method of the present invention is a video information production method for setting camera work in a virtual reality space in which video objects are arranged. The video information production method recognizes a video object selected by a user, and uses a plurality of recognized video objects as subjects. When the user selects at least one of the plurality of images using the input means, the camera position, orientation, and image corresponding to the selected image are displayed. A value of at least one of the corners is set.
Here, various types of video objects, virtual reality space, camera work, and input means may be used.
In this specification, the term “composition” is used for explanation, but for example, the term “camera angle” is a similar term and is included in the present invention.

Also, the video information production method of the present invention is a video information production method for setting camera work in a virtual reality space where a video object is arranged. In the video information production method, a figure representing a video object, a camera position, orientation, and angle of view A figure representing at least one of the figures is displayed in a plan view, and when the user operates at least one of the figures displayed in the plan view using an input means, the camera position, orientation, And, at least one value of the angle of view is set.
In the video information production method of the present invention, it is possible to operate at least one of the figures while restraining at least one of the video object and the camera and the distance and the distance. To be made.
Further, in the video information production method of the present invention, at least one of the video object and the camera and the distance between the video object and the camera are constrained by the part of the graphic instructed by the user by the input means. The

  The video information production method of the present invention is a video information production method for setting camera work in a virtual reality space in which video objects are arranged, and includes a camera work including at least “close-up” as a selection item in advance. When at least one of the video object and the selection item is selected using an input unit, the position, orientation, and camera position of the selected video object that can be set by camera work corresponding to the selected item, and Calculating at least one value of the angle of view, and based on the calculated value, at least one of the selected video object and the calculated position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera. Is graphically displayed on the plan view.

  The video information production apparatus of the present invention is a video information production apparatus for setting camera work in a virtual reality space in which video objects are arranged. A plurality of image display means for displaying a plurality of images captured with a plurality of compositions using the video object as a subject, and the user selects at least one of the plurality of images using the input means. It comprises camera setting means for setting at least one of the position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera corresponding to the image.

  The video information production device of the present invention is a video information production device for setting camera work in a virtual reality space where a video object is arranged, and a graphic representing the video object, the position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera. Plan view display means for displaying a figure representing at least one of the figures in plan view, and when the user operates at least one of the figures displayed in plan view using the input means, the camera is operated based on the operation. Camera setting means for setting at least one of the position, orientation, and angle of view.

In the present invention, in video information production, for example, even a user who is not familiar with camera work can easily perform camera settings for obtaining videos of various compositions. For example, for users who are used to camera work, when confirming whether or not it is the desired image, it is possible to confirm images from multiple angles and angles in each scene at the same time. can do.
In addition, since camera settings can be performed simply by selecting the displayed image, it is not necessary to perform setting operations such as the camera position, orientation, and angle of view while viewing the preview screen. The procedure for camera setting operation can be saved.
In addition, for example, when camera work such as “close-up” is set, the camera position, orientation, angle of view, etc. can be grasped, and for example, relative distance and orientation from the subject. Since the camera setting can be performed with the restriction, the camera setting operation can be easily performed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The video information production apparatus used in the present invention has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1, but the operation of the CPU 101 is different. Regarding the video content editing screen, the script screen and the preview screen are the same as those shown in FIG. Here, the parameter setting screen in the video content editing screen has a new function. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a parameter setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the conventional video information production apparatus, the menu related to the camera is selected, for example, by selecting “Camera” from the initial setting menu and Camerawork from the command menu, and then selecting “Move ...”, “Two-shot ...”, “Close”. There are sub-menus for "Up ...", "Catch ..." and "Switch ...". When the menu is selected, a parameter setting screen is displayed for setting parameters. In the present invention, among the menus related to the camera, “move ...”, “two-shot ...”, “close-up ...” and “catch ...” are integrated into one menu ( Hereinafter, the parameter setting screen 300 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed.

  First, the camera work parameter setting screen 300 will be described. In FIG. 3, 301 is a close-up button, 302 is a two-shot button, 303 is a catch button, 304 is a guide setting button, 305 is an xz value setting area, 306 is a y value setting area, and 307 and 308 are shot selection buttons. is there. Only one of 307 and 308 may be used. For areas and buttons other than 301 to 308, the same movement as the parameter setting screen 202 displayed when a menu related to a conventional camera is selected is performed.

  When the user selects the close-up button 301 on the parameter setting screen 300 in FIG. 3, if the dolly is set to ON, the setting of the selected camera (camera 1 in the example of FIG. 3) is selected. The target 1 (Taro in the example of FIG. 3) at the position of the height of the line of sight if the target is a character, and the height of the center of gravity of the target if the target is a prop. Is set to an angle of view that is appropriately close-up. When the dolly is set to OFF, the angle of view is appropriately set to close up the target 1 at the current camera position.

In addition, when the user selects the two-shot button 302, if the dolly is set to ON, the setting of the selected camera is the midpoint of the line segment connecting the centers of gravity of the selected target 1 and target 2. If the two targets are characters, the target 1 and the target 2 are appropriately positioned from the position at the height of the middle point of the center of gravity of the target if the target is a prop. The angle of view is set to be two-shot. When the dolly is set to OFF, the angle of view is appropriately set so that the target 1 and the target 2 are two-shot at the current camera position.
Note that the camera setting value is changed by the close-up button 301 and the two-shot button 302 no matter how the camera position, orientation, etc. are set immediately before. In addition, the position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera displayed in the areas 305 and 306 are also changed in conjunction with each other, and if the preview button is pressed, the camera image is previewed in conjunction with the change. 203. In this embodiment, “camera position, orientation, and angle of view” are used as camera setting values as an example, but other elements may be used, and these are similarly included in the present invention. Is done.

When the user selects the catch button 303, the orientation is changed and set so that the selected camera captures the selected target 1 without changing the current position and angle of view. In particular, when the track is set to “keep chasing”, only the direction of the camera is changed according to the moving target, and the target is continuously captured.
A guide setting button 304 is a check button that allows the user to select whether or not to display a guide in the areas 305 and 306. Here, the guide is displayed to constrain the figure indicating the camera so that the figure can be moved only on the guide. By constraining the movable range, the camera setting operation becomes easy.

In the xz value setting area 305, for example, a plan view showing the positions, shapes, etc. of sets, characters, props, etc. existing in a three-dimensional CG space (virtual reality space) during the production of video information with simple figures. The position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera are also displayed with simple graphics. In addition, whichever the character is looking at is represented by an arrow. a is a figure showing the camera, d is a figure showing the angle of view, and e is a figure showing the line-of-sight direction of the character.
The figure (camera, angle of view, line of sight direction) related to the above camera can be directly operated by the user with a mouse or the like, and the position and orientation of the camera can be linked with the operation. And the numerical display of the angle of view is changed. When the preview screen 203 is displayed, the preview display is also linked to each other. That is, a change in the position of the figure on the plan view by the user's operation is detected, and the position, orientation, angle of view value, etc. of the camera are set based on the detected change, or by the user's operation Changes in numerical values of the position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera are detected, and the position of the figure on the plan view is set based on the detected numerical values.

  Further, when “with guide” is selected by the guide setting button 304, as shown in FIG. 3, a circle having a radius from the selected object 1 to the position where the camera is located is the center. A figure and a line figure obtained by extending a line connecting the object 1 and the camera are displayed as a guide. Further, for example, when the object 2 is also selected and “with guide” is selected, as shown in FIG. 11, the midpoint of the line segment connecting the centers of gravity of the object 1 and the object 2 A circular figure is displayed as a guide around the center. b is a figure showing a guide for making the angle between the subject and the camera constant, and c is a figure showing a guide for making the distance of the camera from the subject constant. The camera setting using the guide will be described later.

In the y value setting area 306, a side view in which the height direction and the angle of view of the camera are represented by simple figures is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 2, characters and props other than the camera are not displayed, but a side view in which the characters and the like are accurately displayed may be displayed in the area 306. When “with guide” is selected by the guide setting button 304, a guide of a vertical line segment f that always passes through the camera position is displayed as shown in FIG.
When the shot selection buttons 307 and 308 are selected, images captured at a plurality of positions, orientations, and angles of view are displayed simultaneously with the selected object 1 or the selected objects 1 and 2 as the center. A screen is displayed (hereinafter referred to as a camera shot screen).

  Here, display examples of the camera shot screen are shown in FIGS. There are several possible patterns for the composition of the desired video, with the subject at the center. When considering the size of the subject, for example, a full figure (FF) that includes the whole body of the subject, a knee shot (NS) that includes the knee to the head, and a size that includes the waist to the head. 5 types of composition are prepared: waist shot (WS), bust shot (BS) with the size from the chest to the head, and close-up (CU) with the upper size from the shoulder. When considering the direction to capture the subject, the front, front, bottom, front right, front left, right, left, back, etc. can be considered, but these types can be any number as long as necessary. good.

  For example, when only the target 1 is set, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the video is composed with one CG object (video object) as the center of the subject, and when the target 1 and the target 2 are set, For example, as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, the image has a composition with two CG objects as the center of the subject. Although not shown, it goes without saying that the number of objects such as the objects 3 can be further increased.

  Here, FIGS. 4 and 6 are examples in which all the images are displayed side by side, and FIGS. 5 and 7 are examples in which images of the same angle are displayed with their positions slightly shifted. For example, FIGS. 4 and 6 correspond to the shot selection button 307 and FIGS. 5 and 7 correspond to the shot selection 2 button 308. In particular, when the number of images to be displayed is large, the display method shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 is preferable. 5 and 7 are configured such that when the mouse is moved over an image that is partially invisible, the image is displayed on the foreground in conjunction with the movement of the mouse. is there. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, when images are grouped for each image in the same direction, images with different angles of view can be continuously viewed by the movement of the mouse.

  Then, in the camera shot screen shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, one image is selected and the camera work parameter setting screen 300 is returned (for example, one image is clicked and then the OK button is pressed, or one image is clicked) Double-clicking the image), the position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera that can obtain the selected image are the numerical values of the position, orientation, and angle of view in the camera work parameter setting screen 300, This is reflected in the camera positions in the areas 305 and 306. Further, if the preview screen 203 is started, it is also reflected in the image on the screen.

Here, the plurality of images displayed on the camera shot screen are calculated from the information on the positions and sizes of the parts constituting the character so as to obtain the appropriate figure size from each direction by the normal 3DCG technology. The Hereinafter, the calculation method will be described.
For example, the characters are head (head), jaw (chin), neck (neck), armLU (left upper arm), armLD (left lower arm), handL (left hand), armRU (upper right arm), armRD (right lower arm), handR (right hand), chest (chest), hip (waist), legLU (left upper leg), legLD (left lower leg), footL (left leg), legRU (upper right leg), legRD (right lower leg), footR (right leg), etc. A virtual skeleton is set. Then, the origin of each part is set, and the character is assembled by connecting the parts with the origin as a joint. The direction of the character is also set.

For example, when calculating an image of a knee shot from the left front, the coordinates of the camera position are obtained from the origin of the chest (chest) and the direction of the character so as to be positioned at the left front of the character. Then, the direction of the camera is obtained from the angle of the line connecting the coordinates and the origin of the chest. From the obtained camera position and orientation, a screen coordinate system is obtained. In the Y-axis direction of the screen coordinate system, the coordinates of the origin of legLD (lower left leg) and legRD (lower right leg) and the origin of head (head) are obtained. The angle of view is set so that the coordinates of the head vertices obtained from the size fit within the screen.
In addition, not only the said calculation method but the existing 3DCG technique can be used, and the several image displayed on a camera shot screen can be acquired easily.

Next, the flow of processing when the camerawork parameter setting screen 300 is displayed and the shot selection button 307 or the shot selection 2 button 308 is selected will be described with reference to FIG.
First, when a shot selection button is selected on the camera work parameter setting screen 300, it is determined whether or not a CG object is set to “target 1” on the parameter setting screen 300 (step 901). Here, if no CG object is set in “target 1”, a screen indicating advice that the camera shot screen cannot be displayed is displayed (step 902). On the other hand, if a CG object is set for “target 1”, it is determined whether a CG object is set for “target 2” (step 903).

  Next, when a CG object is set in “target 2”, the CG objects of the target 1 and the target 2 selected by the user are recognized, and the position and size values of the CG objects of the target 1 and the target 2 are recognized. (Step 904), and using the values, the values of the camera position, orientation, and angle of view that can obtain each direction and each size are calculated (step 905). On the other hand, when the CG object is not set in “target 2”, the CG object of the target 1 selected by the user is recognized, and the position and size values of the CG object of the target 1 are acquired (step 906). Then, using these values, values of the camera position, orientation, and angle of view that can obtain each direction and each size are calculated (step 907).

Next, each image is generated from the position, orientation, and angle of view of each camera obtained in step 905 or step 907 (step 908), a camera shot screen is displayed, and the generated image is displayed. They are displayed side by side on the screen (step 909). It is determined whether any one of the arranged images has been selected (step 910). If no image has been selected, the process proceeds to step 914. When an image is selected, the camera position, orientation, and angle of view value of the selected image are acquired (step 911), and it is determined whether or not the OK button has been selected (step 912).
If it is determined in step 912 that the OK button has not been selected, the process proceeds to step 914. When the OK button is selected, the acquired camera position, orientation, and angle of view value are displayed on the parameter setting screen 300 (step 913), and the process ends. In step 914, it is determined whether or not the cancel button has been selected. If the cancel button has not been selected, the process proceeds to step 910. If the cancel button has been selected, the process ends.

Through the above processing, the user views a plurality of images displayed on the camera shot screen and selects an image having a desired composition, whereby the position, orientation, and image of the camera from which the selected image can be obtained. The corner can be set. The set values are reflected in the camera position, orientation, and numerical value of the angle of view and areas 305 and 306 on the parameter setting screen 300.
Note that the operation of selecting the close-up button 301 and setting the camera while the target 1 is set is performed by selecting the shot selection button 307 (or 308) while the target 1 is set and closing the front. This corresponds to the operation of selecting an up image. This can be said to be a labor-saving operation by enabling a selection operation of a specific image displayed on the camera shot screen by a button operation on the camera work parameter setting screen 300. The same applies to the two-shot button 302.

Next, a user operation method on the camera work parameter setting screen 300, particularly an operation method in a case where “with guide” is selected by the guide setting button 304 in the areas 305 and 306 and a guide is displayed. This will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8A shows an operation of moving the camera on a line segment graphic b displayed as a guide in the area 305. When the user brings the mouse to the last part of the figure a indicating the displayed camera, the figure is changed to a mouse pointer figure such as 801. In this state, for example, when the mouse is moved while pressing the left button of the mouse, the figure indicating the camera moves on the figure of the guide line segment b displayed by extending the subject and the camera. In addition, the circular figure c of the guide is also enlarged and reduced while the center of the circle is fixed. The user changes the camera to an appropriate position and then releases the left mouse button. This operation corresponds to a camera operation that moves away or approaches without changing the direction of the subject.

FIG. 8B shows an operation example of moving the camera on the circular figure c displayed as a guide in the area 305. When the user brings the mouse to the head of the figure a indicating the displayed camera, the figure is changed to a mouse pointer figure such as 802. In this state, for example, when the mouse is moved while pressing the left button of the mouse, the figure indicating the camera moves on the circular figure c of the displayed guide. The user changes the camera to an appropriate position and then releases the left mouse button. This operation corresponds to a camera operation for changing the shooting direction without changing the distance to the subject.
FIG. 8C illustrates an operation example in which the camera is moved without restriction in the region 305. When the user brings the mouse to an intermediate portion other than the above of the figure a indicating the camera being displayed, the mouse remains in the normal mouse pointer figure as shown in 803, for example, while pressing the left button of the mouse. When is moved, the camera position can be freely moved on the xz plane. After changing the camera to an appropriate position, the user releases the left button. However, the camera is always set to face the selected target 1.

  Here, as a display form of the graphic indicating the camera in the areas 305 and 306 of the parameter setting screen 300, a form as shown in FIG. 12 may be used. In FIG. 12, the figure showing the camera can be divided into three blocks, a head part 1201, an intermediate part 1202, and a last part 1203, and this can be done when each block is operated with a mouse or the like. Information indicating the type of operation is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the head portion 1201 is the operation described with reference to FIG. 8B, the intermediate portion 1202 is the operation described with reference to FIG. 8C, and the last portion 1203 is the above-described operation. This shows that the operation described with reference to FIG. In this way, for example, the user can perform a desired operation by dividing the figure representing the camera into several blocks and displaying information indicating the type of operation assigned to each block in advance in each block. Makes it easier to set up the camera because it is easy to see which block should be pointed with the mouse. In addition to the above, the information indicating the type of operation can use various modes such as changing the display color for each block.

Further, a menu for selecting non-display / display of information indicating the type of operation as shown in FIG. 12 may be added to the pull-down menu at the top of the script screen 201. Thus, for example, if the user is familiar with the operation of the graphic indicating the camera, the information indicating the type of operation described above can be prevented from being displayed by selecting the non-display from the menu. The display mode can be set according to the user's preference. Here, information indicating the type of operation shown in FIG. 12, for example, the shape of an arrow or the like, is stored in the magnetic storage device 109, and is read from the magnetic storage device 109 when the parameter setting screen 300 is displayed. .
8A to 8C, different operations can be performed when any one of the last part, the foremost part (head), and the middle part of the figure a indicating the camera is pressed with the mouse. However, when a predetermined place other than the above is pressed, different operations may be performed. In addition to the method of performing different operations depending on the location of the figure a pressed with the mouse, for example, various methods of allowing different operations depending on the type of mouse button, the type of keyboard button, and the like. It may be used.
Further, the position of the camera may be changed by moving the guide itself with a mouse. For example, the position of the figure a indicating the camera can be changed by manipulating the circular figure c of the guide to enlarge / reduce the radius while fixing the center of the circle, or manipulate the line segment b of the guide. It is possible.

FIG. 8D shows an operation example of moving the camera on the vertical line segment graphic f displayed as a guide in the area 306. When the user brings the mouse to the head of the graphic indicating the displayed camera, the user is changed to a mouse pointer graphic such as 804. In this state, for example, when the mouse is moved while pressing the left button of the mouse, the camera is moved on the displayed line f of the guide. After changing the camera to an appropriate position, the user releases the left button. This operation corresponds to a camera operation that changes the height position (position in the y direction) without changing the position of the xz plane of the camera.
Note that when “with guide” is not selected by the guide setting button 304, the user can freely change the figure indicating the camera in any position and orientation without restriction (FIGS. 8E and 8F). )).
The figure showing the angle of view is displayed as a line segment, and if the line segment is selected with the mouse, it can be rotated around the point connected to the figure showing the camera (FIG. 8 (g )). Similarly, the figure indicating the line-of-sight direction can also be rotated.

In conjunction with the operations in the areas 305 and 306 shown in FIG. 8 as described above, the numerical display of the camera position, orientation, and angle of view on the parameter setting screen 300 and the preview display on the preview screen 203 are changed. Thus, the user can easily set the camera.
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the user moves the camera has been described. However, the user can also move the subject and set the position of the subject. For example, it is possible to set the position of the subject by restricting the relative distance and the relative direction with respect to the camera, or to set the position of the subject without restriction with respect to the camera.

Here, the configuration of the video information production apparatus according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described configuration, and various configurations may be used. The present invention can also be provided as a method or method for executing the processing according to the present invention, a program for realizing such a method or method, and the like, for example, a video information production apparatus, etc. It can also be provided as various devices and systems. The application field of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described fields, and the present invention can be applied to various fields.
In addition, as various kinds of processing performed in the video information production apparatus according to the present invention, for example, the processor executes a control program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) in hardware resources including a processor, a memory, and the like. May be used, and for example, each functional unit for executing the processing may be configured as an independent hardware circuit.
The present invention also relates to a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD (Compact Disc) -ROM, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) -ROM, etc., which stores the above control program, and the program itself. The processing according to the present invention can be performed by inputting the control program from a recording medium to a computer and causing the processor to execute the control program.

  It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the video information production apparatus which concerns on a prior art example.   It is a figure which shows an example of the edit screen which concerns on a prior art example.   It is a figure which shows an example of the parameter setting screen of the camera work which concerns on one Example of this invention.   It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the camera shot screen which concerns on one Example of this invention.   It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the camera shot screen which concerns on one Example of this invention.   It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the camera shot screen which concerns on one Example of this invention.   It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the camera shot screen which concerns on one Example of this invention.   It is a figure for demonstrating the operation example in the parameter setting screen of the camera work which concerns on one Example of this invention.   It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process at the time of the shot button selection concerning one Example of this invention.   It is a figure which shows the example of an edit screen of existing 3DCG.   It is a figure which shows an example of the guide display which concerns on one Example of this invention.   It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the figure of the camera which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  101: CPU, 102: memory, 103: CG animation generation unit, 104: speech synthesis unit, 105: sequencer unit, 106: input device, 107: monitor, 108: moving image generation unit, 109: magnetic storage device, 110: Bus 201: Script screen 202: Parameter setting screen 203: Preview screen

Claims (5)

In a video information production method for setting camera work in a virtual reality space where video objects are arranged,
The user recognizes the video object selected by the user, displays a plurality of images captured in a plurality of compositions using the recognized video object as a subject, and the user uses the input means to display at least one of the plurality of images. When selected, at least one value of the position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera corresponding to the selected image is set. In a video information production method for setting camera work in a virtual reality space where video objects are arranged,
A figure representing a video object and a figure representing at least one of the position, orientation, and angle of view of the camera are displayed in a plan view.
When the user operates at least one of the figures displayed in the plan view using the input means, the camera position, orientation, and angle of view are set based on the operation. A video information production method characterized by The video information production method according to claim 2,
A video information production method characterized in that at least one of the figures can be operated while at least one of the direction and distance between the video object and the camera is constrained. The video information production method according to claim 3,
A video information production method, wherein at least one of a direction and a distance between the video object and the camera is constrained by a part of the graphic instructed by the user by the input means. In a video information production method for setting camera work in a virtual reality space where video objects are arranged,
Camera work including at least “close-up” is provided as a selection item in advance,
When the user selects at least one of the video object and the selection item using an input unit, the position and orientation of the camera that can set the selected video object with the camera work corresponding to the selected item. And calculating at least one value of the angle of view,
A video image that displays at least one of the selected video object and the calculated camera position, orientation, and angle of view on a plan view based on the calculated value. Information production method.

Images