Abstract:

At present, group animation path in film scenes is generally set manually, existing the problems such as discontinuous path, low animation efficiency, etc. To address the issue, a new algorithm of global path planning for film group animation, which incorporates the Bezier curve and group density information into path editing and optimization based on the jump-point search (JPS) algorithm has been proposed. Firstly, the JPS algorithm is used to generate the group motion path automatically, so that editable path nodes can be used as the control points of the Bezier curve to adjust the path for solving the problems of fold lines, large deflection angles and lack of smoothness in the path. Then, the group density information is set on the path nodes, and the speed and moving direction of the agents are adjusted according to the density information to solve the problems of group motion blockage and individual collision. The experimental results show that the new algorithm is feasible in that it performs well in simulating large-scale group motion and that it improves significantly production efficiency of group animation motion path, especially that in complex film scenes.

Key words: film-making, group animation, jump-point search (JPS) algorithm, path optimization, density information