JPH10172009A - 3D CG animation creation apparatus and creation method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To easily set an operation for an object in a three-dimensional space. In a three-dimensional CG animation creating apparatus, a means for setting a two-dimensional motion of an object on a two-dimensional projected image from an input device, a means for setting a two-dimensional size of the object, and the setting data And a means 29 for calculating the three-dimensional motion of the object in the three-dimensional space from the object three-dimensional shape model and the camera parameters, thereby setting the motion on the two-dimensional projected image and automatically setting the three-dimensional motion. Movement can be derived.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an animation creating technique using three-dimensional CG, and more particularly to a three-dimensional CG animation creating apparatus and method for creating a motion in a three-dimensional space by designating a motion on a two-dimensional image. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When creating a three-dimensional CG animation using a computer or the like, there is a key frame method as a method for giving a motion to an object to be moved. The keyframe method is a method in which the user interactively sets the motion parameters for frames where there is a major change in the motion of the object in the animation flow, and automatically creates motion for intermediate frames. It is. Here, a frame in which a motion parameter is set is called a key frame.

The method of designating the position and orientation of an object in a three-dimensional space in a key frame is as follows: the position in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, and the rotation angles of the object around the X, Y, and Z axes. Is generally set. JP-A-4-
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 127279 discloses a method for calculating a motion path from the start point to the end point of an object based on information indicating the positions and speeds of the start point and the end point of the object in a key frame. . As another method, there is a method of setting the locus of the movement of the object in a three-dimensional space by combining straight lines and curves. Many 3D CG animation software adopts these methods. However, none of them set the position and the trajectory directly in the three-dimensional space, and there is no setting in the two-dimensional image.

[0004]

When a motion is given to an object, the method of setting the position or trajectory of the object in a three-dimensional space involves imagining how the object looks as an animation on a two-dimensional projected image. It is not easy to do. This is because when a three-dimensional object is projected on a two-dimensional image, the position and shape of the projected object change according to the camera parameters and the distance from the viewpoint position.

Conversely, assuming the movement of an object on a two-dimensional projected image, imagine how the position of the object in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions changes in a three-dimensional space. It is difficult even for beginners.

On the other hand, as a method generally performed in two-dimensional animation or the like, there is a method of changing the size of an object in order to increase the depth of a two-dimensional image. However, in this method, it is possible to produce a three-dimensional effect in appearance, but it is impossible to realize the features of the three-dimensional CG such as a change in viewpoint because the image is two-dimensional.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional CG animation creation apparatus and a creation method that allow a user to intuitively and easily set an operation on an object in a three-dimensional space.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to an operation of an object in a three-dimensional space when designating the operation of the object using an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. Means for directly setting on the two-dimensional projected image, means for setting the change of the two-dimensional size of the object on the two-dimensional projected image, movement and size change of the object set by the means, a shape model of the object, From camera parameters such as viewpoint position information,
An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional CG animation creating apparatus having means for calculating a motion of an object in a three-dimensional space.

By using the above-described three-dimensional CG animation creating apparatus, the user can set the operation of the object without considering the three-dimensional position of the object while considering only the projection result on the two-dimensional image. The intended operation is reflected in the animation result as it is. Furthermore, since the three-dimensional position of the object is calculated based on the position and size of the object on the two-dimensional projected image, it is possible to treat the object set in two dimensions as three-dimensional. It is also possible to correct the position in the space using three-dimensional coordinate values, display an image viewed from a different viewpoint, and the like.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus includes a CPU (1) for performing calculations and controls based on a program, a keyboard (3) as an external input device for inputting numerical values and commands, inputting two-dimensional coordinate values and selecting commands, A mouse (4) which is an external input device for operation, an input port (2) for controlling input of a keyboard (3) and a mouse (4), a three-dimensional graphics board for controlling display of three-dimensional images and the like (5) A display CRT controller (6) for displaying a three-dimensional data converted to a two-dimensional image by a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional graphics board (5) on a display, and a device CRT display (7) for displaying an image , A main storage device (8) for storing a program for creating an animation, etc., and storing image data, three-dimensional shape data, animation data, etc. An auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk or floppy disk to be (1
4) and a bus (19) interconnecting these components.

The main storage device (8) is a work for creating a two-dimensional or three-dimensional CG model and setting animation parameters using a memory, a keyboard (3) and a mouse (4). Area (9), projection image data (10) for storing a two-dimensional perspective image obtained by viewing data in a three-dimensional space from a viewpoint position or a two-dimensional projection image projected on an xy plane, a yz plane, or a zx plane; A two-dimensional motion setting program (11) for setting the motion of an object by a two-dimensional line segment, a two-dimensional size setting program (12) for setting the size of an object on a projected image, and motion parameters on the two-dimensional projected image. It is constituted by a three-dimensional motion calculation program (13) for calculating the motion of the object in the three-dimensional space based on the information. Note that a two-dimensional perspective image of the data in the three-dimensional space viewed from the viewpoint position or x
Processing such as perspective transformation for creating a two-dimensional projected image projected on the y-plane, the yz-plane, and the zx-plane is automatically calculated by the three-dimensional graphics board (5).

The auxiliary storage device (14) integrates camera parameters such as a two-dimensional image serving as a background of the animation or environment three-dimensional data of the animation space, or a combination thereof, and a viewpoint position and a visual axis.
An environment model data storage unit (15) storing data serving as a base for animation, an object three-dimensional data storage unit (16) storing three-dimensional shape data of an object to be animated, and a two-dimensional operation setting program ( 11) and a two-dimensional motion data storage unit (17) for storing data derived by the two-dimensional size setting program (12), and a three-dimensional motion calculation program (1).
A three-dimensional motion data storage unit (18) for storing data derived by 3) is included.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the animation creating apparatus.

A three-dimensional shape model (20) and an environment model (21) of an object to be set are converted into a two-dimensional projection image based on camera parameters such as a viewpoint position and a visual axis included in the environment model (21). The creating unit (22) creates a two-dimensional projected image (23) and displays it on the display device (27). An input device (24) such as a keyboard (3) or a mouse (4) is used for the displayed two-dimensional projection image (23), and an object two-dimensional operation setting unit (25) is used.
The position of the object in an arbitrary frame is indicated by a numerical value or a position on the window of the object, or a macro motion of the object is set by a line segment representing a trajectory, and the object two-dimensional size setting unit (26) sets the macro motion of the object in the arbitrary frame. The two-dimensional size of the object to be displayed is set by the magnification with the initial value of the size being “1”.

The two-dimensional image of the object having the position and size set as described above is converted into a two-dimensional projected image (2
3) and the result is displayed on the display device (27). The two-dimensional motion data derived here is stored in the two-dimensional motion data storage device (28) on the object projection image, and is obtained from the two-dimensional motion and size data, the object three-dimensional shape model (20), and the environment model (21). The three-dimensional motion calculation unit (29) calculates the three-dimensional motion of the object and stores the three-dimensional motion data in the object three-dimensional motion data storage device (3).
0). The three-dimensional position data of the object calculated above and the object three-dimensional shape model (2
0), a two-dimensional projected image (23) is created by the two-dimensional projected image creating unit (22) from the environment model (21), and the object projected correctly at the position and size intended by the user is displayed. It is displayed on the device (27).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the animation creating method according to the present invention.

First, in step 1000, data necessary for creating an animation is prepared. One is a three-dimensional shape model of an object to be set, and the other is a two-dimensional image serving as a background of an animation.
Alternatively, it is an environment model obtained by integrating camera parameters such as a viewpoint three-dimensional shape model, a viewpoint position, and a visual axis in a three-dimensional space.

In step 2000, an operation is set for the object. Here, an operation setting is performed on a two-dimensional image for an object in a three-dimensional space.
Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step 3000, step 2000
The operation on the two-dimensional image of the object set in step
Using data such as a three-dimensional shape model and camera parameters, the motion is converted into a motion in a three-dimensional space. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step 4000, step 1000
A two-dimensional projection image for each frame is created based on the three-dimensional shape model and the environment model of the object prepared in step 3 and the motion of the object in the three-dimensional space calculated in step 3000.

In step 5000, step 4000
The animation is reproduced by sequentially displaying the two-dimensional projection images created in step, and based on the result, step 6
000 is used to determine the presence or absence of operation modification. If the operation is to be corrected, the process returns to step 2000; otherwise, the process ends.

FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart of the two-dimensional motion setting step 2000 of the object in FIG. Here, a method of setting an action by setting a two-dimensional position in a key frame will be described as a method of setting an action of an object. The two-dimensional operation setting interface will be described later with reference to FIG.

First, in step 2100, a two-dimensional projected image of the environment model is created, and in step 2200, a projected image of the three-dimensional object model is created. In step 2300, the two projection images created above are combined and displayed. In step 2400, it is selected whether to continue or end the designation of the operation of the object.

To continue, the process proceeds to step 2500. In step 2500, a key frame number for setting the position and size of the object is input. In step 2600, a two-dimensional position on the projected image of the object in the frame specified in step 2500 is set. Examples of the setting method include setting by inputting coordinate values and setting by specifying the position of an object on a screen using a mouse. At this time, the two-dimensional coordinate value indicating the position of the object is set in the coordinate system of the projected image.

At step 2700, step 2500
Sets the size of the object on the projected image in the frame specified by. At this time, the magnification is set with respect to the original size.

In step 2800, step 2500
The three-dimensional position of the object in the frame designated by is calculated from the three-dimensional shape model and camera parameters of the object, the two-dimensional position of the object set in step 2600, and the size of the object set in step 2700. At this time, object 3
The reason for calculating the dimensional position is to confirm how the object on the projected image in the specified frame looks.

When the three-dimensional position of the object in the frame specified in step 2800 is determined, the flow returns to step 2200, and the 3D position calculated in step 2700 is obtained.
Based on the three-dimensional position, a projected image of the object three-dimensional shape model is created (step 2200), and step 2100 is performed.
Is displayed in combination with the projected image of the environment model created in (2300).

The above operation is performed for all necessary frames, and the operation setting of the object is completed (step 24).
When (00) is selected, all the key frames set in the above operation, the two-dimensional position of the object in the key frames, and the data of the two-dimensional size change are stored in the two-dimensional motion data storage unit (17) ( Step 290
0), the two-dimensional motion setting of the object ends.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of the object three-dimensional position calculation step 3000 in FIG.

At step 3100, an object three-dimensional shape model is read. At step 3200, camera parameters such as a viewpoint position and a visual axis are read.
At 00, the key frame and the information on the two-dimensional coordinates and the size of the object in the key frame stored in the two-dimensional motion data storage unit (17) are read.

At step 3400, the object 2
The three-dimensional coordinates in the three-dimensional space are calculated from the two-dimensional coordinates and the size on the three-dimensional projected image, and step 350
At 0, data in which the frame number and the three-dimensional position coordinates of the object corresponding to the frame are paired is stored in the three-dimensional motion data storage unit (18).

As a method of interpolating the position of an object set in a key frame, there are a method of interpolating for a two-dimensional operation and a method of interpolating after converting to a three-dimensional operation.

In the former case, step 34 in FIG.
Before 00, a step of obtaining interpolation data for each of the two-dimensional coordinate data and the two-dimensional size stored in the two-dimensional motion data storage unit (17) is inserted, and a step 3400 is performed.
The three-dimensional positions of the objects in all the frames are obtained.

In the latter case, in the three-dimensional position calculation step 3000 in FIG. 3, the three-dimensional position of the object only in the key frame is calculated, and before the creation of the animation image data (step 4000) in FIG. 3 stored in the dimensional motion data storage unit (18)
A step of obtaining interpolation data for the dimensional coordinate data is inserted. A known technique can be used for the interpolation method.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an interface for determining the position and size of an object on a two-dimensional projected image. Here, a method of determining the motion of the object based on the two-dimensional position for each frame instead of the trajectory will be described as an example.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 100 denotes a window for displaying a two-dimensional projected image, and 101 denotes XY coordinates in the two-dimensional projected image. Reference numeral 102 denotes a coordinate axis in a three-dimensional space. Here, the object to be animated is the object indicated by 103, and the others are environmental data. In 104, the number of frames to be set is specified and displayed. In 105, the size of the object is set by a slider or numerical input, and the numerical value is displayed.
At 106 and 107, a two-dimensional X coordinate value and a Y coordinate value of the object are set by a slider or a numerical value input, and the like.
Display each numerical value. Reference numeral 108 denotes a window that displays information on the object being set.

When setting the operation of the object, first, a frame number to be a key frame of the animation is input in the frame number setting section (104). Then, the two-dimensional projection data (103) of the three-dimensional object shape data is displayed at the initial position. When the position is designated, the displayed two-dimensional projection data (103) is designated as a two-dimensional position by using a slider or by inputting numerical values (105) (106). If you also specify the size,
The two-dimensional size of the displayed two-dimensional projection data (103) is designated by a method such as using a slider or inputting a numerical value (105). The set or changed data is immediately reflected in the two-dimensional projection data (103). Such an operation is repeated for all necessary frames.

FIG. 7 shows an example of stored operation data.

FIG. 7A shows an example of data stored in the two-dimensional operation data storage section (18). The two-dimensional operation data storage unit (18) first stores an object name “balloon” of an operation setting target, and then stores the key frame number Frame, the two-dimensional coordinate values X and Y of the object in the key frame, and the two-dimensional size. Scale
Are stored as many as the number of key frames. The two-dimensional coordinate values X and Y of the object stored here are based on the coordinate system (101) of the two-dimensional projected image in FIG.

FIG. 7B shows an example of data stored in the three-dimensional operation data storage (19). In the three-dimensional operation data storage unit, first, an object name “balloon” of an operation setting target is stored, and then the key frame number Frame and the three-dimensional coordinate values x, y, and z of the object in the key frame are paired. Items are stored for the number of key frames. The three-dimensional coordinate values x, y, and z of the object stored here are based on the coordinate axis (102) in the three-dimensional space in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the apparatus when an object is given a constraint condition. An object constraint condition setting section (36) is provided instead of the object size setting section (26) in FIG. Configuration. As a method of giving a constraint condition in the object constraint condition setting unit (36), there is a method of uniquely determining a plane on which an object moves, a method of setting a size on a two-dimensional image, and the like.

FIG. 9 is an example of a two-dimensional operation setting when a constraint condition is given to an object.

In this figure, an example is shown in which it is assumed that the position of the coordinate system in the z-axis direction in the three-dimensional space is constant, and this is set as a constraint condition. At this time, there is no need to set the two-dimensional size of the object, and the three-dimensional position is uniquely determined only by setting the two-dimensional position. By giving the constraint condition in this way, the operation setting of the object can be performed with a small number of input parameters.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the motion and size of an object are specified on a two-dimensional projected image as a final output result, the motion of the object intended by the user is visually confirmed. Can be attached.

The motion of the object in the three-dimensional space is calculated using the motion and size of the object and the camera parameters specified on the two-dimensional projected image, and the motion data is stored in three dimensions. Therefore, it is possible to respond to changes in camera parameters, viewpoint positions, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram functionally showing the internal configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an animation creating method according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a two-dimensional operation setting method according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a three-dimensional motion calculation method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an interface according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a two-dimensional operation data table (a) and a three-dimensional operation data table (b) according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram functionally showing the internal configuration of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an interface according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 2 ... input port, 3 ... keyboard, 4 ... mouse, 5 ... three-dimensional graphics board, 6 ... display CRT controller, 7 ... display CRT, 8
... Main storage device, 9 ... Work area, 10 ... Projection image data,
11 2D motion setting program, 12 2D size setting program, 13 3D motion calculation program, 1
4 ... Auxiliary storage device, 15 ... Environmental model data storage unit, 1
6 ... 3D data storage unit, 17 ... 2D operation data storage unit, 18 ... 3D operation data storage unit, 19 ... bus, 20 ... 3D shape model, 21 ... environment model, 22
... 2D projection image creation unit, 23 ... 2D projection image, 24
... Input device, 25 ... Object two-dimensional motion setting unit, 2
6: Object 2D size setting unit, 27: Display device, 28: 2D motion data storage device on object projection image, 29: 3D motion calculation unit, 30: 3D motion data storage device, 36: Object constraint condition setting Part 1
00: two-dimensional image display window, 101: two-dimensional coordinates, 102: two-dimensional coordinates, 103: object, 10
4 ... Frame designation / display means, 105 ... Object size designation / display means, 106, 107 ... Object 2
Dimension coordinate designation / display means, 108: Object information display window

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An animation creating apparatus for setting an operation of an object in a three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional projected image, wherein the input device sets a two-dimensional operation of the object with respect to the two-dimensional projected image. Means for setting the change in the two-dimensional size of the object, the data of the two-dimensional motion and the two-dimensional size change set above, the motion of the object in the three-dimensional space from the object three-dimensional shape model and the camera parameters 3. A three-dimensional CG animation creating apparatus comprising: 2. An animation creating apparatus for setting an operation of an object in a three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional projected image, wherein the input device sets a two-dimensional operation of the object with respect to the two-dimensional projected image. Means for setting the constraint condition of the object, and means for obtaining the motion of the object in the three-dimensional space from the two-dimensional motion data and the constraint condition set above, the object three-dimensional shape model, and the camera parameters. A three-dimensional CG animation creation device. 3. An animation creating method for setting an operation of an object in a three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional projected image, wherein an input device sets a two-dimensional operation of the object with respect to the two-dimensional projected image. Setting a change in the two-dimensional size of the object;
Obtaining the motion of the object in the three-dimensional space from the data of the two-dimensional motion and the two-dimensional size change set above, the object three-dimensional shape model and the camera parameters, and setting the object motion to directly set the three-dimensional motion Three-dimensional CG having steps
Animation creation method. 4. An animation creating method for performing an operation setting of an object in a three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional projected image using a key frame method.
Setting a two-dimensional motion of the object with respect to the two-dimensional projected image; setting a change in the two-dimensional size of the object; data of the two-dimensional motion and the two-dimensional size change set above; As a step of obtaining the motion of the object in the three-dimensional space from the three-dimensional shape model and the camera parameters and a step of obtaining the position of the object between the key frames, the three-dimensional position after the interpolation data for the two-dimensional position and the two-dimensional size data is generated. A three-dimensional CG animation creating method, comprising: a calculating step; and an object position interpolation calculating step of creating interpolation data for the three-dimensional position after calculating the three-dimensional position in the key frame.