A method for producing computer processed animation includes a work station composed of a computer and peripheral equipment which produces a graphic movement sequence for a cartoon figure, by compiling a recording of measured data from strategic parts of an actor, and storing in a memory information concerning the figure to be animated. The figure is divided into a plurality of sections which are movable in relation to one another. Prior to figure compilation for producing an image of the figure, the measured data recording for each section is obtained in the form of a space angle. Prior to compiling each section, a grouping of a predetermined number of perspective drawings is stored, in digitized form, in a respective area of the memory, each grouping in a plurality of mutually different space angle positions. A memory area of interest representing a perspective drawing of one of the sections can be addressed with the aid of information relating to the space angle obtained from the measured data recording for the section concerned. The figure is compiled in the compilation image in accordance with a predetermined sequential compilation schedule, section after section, where each subsequent section is added to the nearest proceeding section at a joint location, to build the sections.

A method and apparatus is disclosed for accurately determining the spatial orientation of planar and linear features expressed along the exterior surface of a core sample. The core sample is positioned in a plurality of sequentially generated orthogonal electromagnetic fields. The core sample is retained by a device which allows complete rotation of the core sample about a predetermined axis while positioned in the electromagnetic fields. A stylus containing an antenna for detecting the electromagnetic fields is used to trace surficial features along the core exterior while simultaneously detecting components of the generated electromagnetic fields. The stylus provides an output to an analyzing device which calculates the coordinates of points along the core features. The coordinates are passed to a computer which has also been monitoring the rotation angle of the core. The data is stored and later used to calculate the spatial orientations of the structures with respect to a known reference on the core sample.

A graphics system comprises a graphics object table that stores, for each graphics object, its identifier and the identifiers of one or more control points defining the graphics object; a control point table that stores, for each control point, its identifier and positional data which identifies the position of the control point relative to a graphics object. The graphics object table and the control point table are updated in response to the setting of one or more control points for a new graphics object by the user. These tables are referred to in response to a movement or reshaping of a primary graphics object, and the coordinate values of the affected control points are calculated by using a coordinate calculating unit.

The disclosure is directed to an improved method and apparatus for generating a sequence of video frames representative of three-dimensional animation. A plurality of key frames are stored, each key frame including a common figure having one or more joints, and each joint having associated therewith a set of vectors defining a limb. Each joint is defined in each frame by operator-controllable parameters which determine the three-dimensional position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of a local coordinate system in which the limb vectors are placed. A plurality of in-between frames are generated, the in-between frames including the common figure having one or more joints and limbs corresponding to the joints and limbs of the common figure in the key frames. The parameters of the joints of the in-between frames are obtained by interpolating in three dimensions, the position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of the corresponding joints of the key frames. In the preferred embodiment, the joints of each figure are arranged in hierarchical order, and the positional coordinates and rotational orientations of the local coordinate system for a particular joint are determined with respect to the local coordinate system of the next higher joint in the hierarchy. Also, the operator can control the interpolation during display of the in-between frames, so as to change the motion of a figure limb.

An image control apparatus which is essentially composed of a movement detector, a judging device, and a controller wherein the movement detector detects the movement of the operator and generates a movement signal corresponding to the detected movement of the operator. The judgement device determines the state of the operator on the basis of the movement signal provided by the movement detector. The controller controls the image in accordance with the movement signal and the judgement of the judgement device. The movement detector, judging device and the controller cooperate so as to control the image in accordance with the movement of the operator.