🚀 go-pugleaf

                  Special ITRC/ICR Seminar




by   Mr. Graham Walters

of   Pacific Data Images, Sunnyvale, California


ABSTRACT

This talk will describe a computer animation system which combines interactive
computer puppetry with a standard spline-based animation system, and a
pseudo-dynamic simulation technique called Goop.  Interactive computer
puppetry allows a character to appear on the screen and interact with other
characters which are performing simultaneously.  This taps the vitality and
spontaneity of live performance.  Goop is a simplified dynamics formulation
which is easy to implement and easy to use.  It represents the first
practical application of dynamics to large scale animation production.

The system as described has been used successfully to produce several minutes
of animation for a weekly television series.  In the summer of 1988, Jim Henson
Productions approached Pacific Data Images with the idea of producing a
computer generated character for the weekly television series, "The Jim Henson
Hour".  From the beginning it was established that the character, Waldo, needed
to be controlled by a Henson puppeteer so that it could interact
convincingly with other puppets, and that Waldo was to have flexible body parts.

To make this possible, an animation system was developed which consists of an
interactive puppetry front end, a standard spline-based animation environment
and, a pseudo-dynamic post filter.

The speaker will be available after the talk to discuss employment
opportunities at PDI.


DATE:   Tuesday, April 4, 1989

TIME:   2:30 p.m.

PLACE:  DC 1350

Everyone is welcome.