System and method for animating collision-free sequences of motions for objects placed across a surface

摘要

Embodiments of the invention set forth a technique for animating objects placed across a surface of a graphics object. A CAD application receives a set of motions and initially applies a different motion in the set of motions to each object placed across the surface of the graphics object. The CAD application calculates bounding areas of each object according to the current motion applied thereto, which are subsequently used by the CAD application to identify collisions that are occurring or will occur between the objects. Identified collisions are cured by identifying valid motions in the set of motions that can be applied to a colliding object and then calculating bounding areas for the valid motions to select a valid motion that, when applied to the object, does not cause the object to collide with any other objects.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for animating, in a computer-generated simulation, a plurality of objects that are placed across a surface of a graphics object, the method comprising:
receiving a specification of a total duration for the computer-generated simulation; applying, to a first object in the plurality of objects, a first motion from a set of motions; applying, to a second object in the plurality of objects, a second motion from the set of motions; establishing, for the first object, a first bounding area that represents a largest area covered by the first object when animated by the first motion; establishing, for the second object, a second bounding area that represents a largest area covered by the second object when animated by the second motion; determining that the first motion terminates prior to the total duration and prior to the second motion; identifying a third motion in the set of motions that is a valid motion to be applied to the first object; establishing a third bounding area for the first object based on the third motion; determining that the third bounding area does not intersect with the second bounding area of the second object; and scheduling, via a processor, the third motion to be applied to the first object when the first motion terminates.