Verbs and adverbs: multidimensional motion interpolation using radial basis functions

Abstract

This paper describes methods and data structures used to leverage motion sequences of complex linked figures. We present a technique for interpolating between example motions derived from live motion capture or produced through traditional animation tools. These motions can be characterized by emotional expressiveness or control behaviors such as turning or going uphill or downhill. We call such parameterized motions “verbs” and the parameters that control them “adverbs.” Verbs can be combined with other verbs to form a “verb graph,” with smooth transitions between them, allowing an animated figure to exhibit a substantial repertoire of expressive behaviors. A combination of radial basis functions and low order polynomials is used to create the interpolation space between example motions. Inverse kinematic constraints are used to augment the interpolations in order to avoid, for example, the feet slipping on the floor during a support phase of a walk cycle. Once the verbs and verb graph have been constructed, adverbs can be modified in real-time providing interactive or programmatic control over the characters’ actions. This allows the creation of autonomous characters in a virtual environment that exhibit complex and subtle behavior.