Interactive skeleton techniques for enhancing motion dynamics in key frame animation

Abstract

A significant increase in the capability for controlling motion dynamics in key frame animation is achieved through skeleton control. This technique allows an animator to develop a complex motion sequence by animating a stick figure representation of an image. This control sequence is then used to drive an image sequence through the same movement. The simplicity of the stick figure image encourages a high level of interaction during the design stage. Its compatibility with the basic key frame animation technique permits skeleton control to be applied selectively to only those components of a composite image sequence that require enhancement.