Animation control apparatus and method

摘要

A method of and a system for controlling an inverse kinematics generated animation of an articulated chain is described. A resolution plane in a default orientation is computed by determining a root-effector vector extending from a root of an articulated chain to an end effector of the articulated chain and letting the resolution plane extend through the root-effector vector. A control icon representative of a position relative to the root is visually displayed. The resolution plane of an articulated chain is manipulated by manipulating the icon and re-determining the resolution plane using the root-effector vector and a root-control vector extending from the root to the icon. The animation of the articulated chain is constrained relative to the resolution plane and a solution of positions and orientations of all limbs of the articulated chain in achieving a goal is computed and displayed.