JPH1055451A - Animation editing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an animation editing apparatus, and more particularly to an animation editing apparatus which is easy to edit. SOLUTION: By inputting a specific time point to an animation data control means, snapshot data corresponding to each time point is obtained, and an animation editing for displaying a snapshot by a display control means based on the snapshot data. In the apparatus, a time selection unit capable of selecting at least one time point, an image type selection unit capable of selecting a type of an image to be displayed, and a time point set by the time selection unit are provided to the animation data control unit. And the display control means for drawing in accordance with the image type designated by the image type selection means based on the snapshot data at the time point thus obtained. As a result, a snapshot at a desired time point is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an animation editing apparatus configured to facilitate understanding of an animation flow in a process of creating an animation of a multimedia title.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a type of animation in which the position, size or shape of an object is calculated and displayed over time, and this type of animation has recently been used in the development of video games and the like. Is increasing.

[0003] In the above-mentioned type of animation, a key frame animation for setting object positions and shapes at a plurality of points on a time axis and automatically complementing the object positions and shapes between them, a trajectory of an object and a starting point of the trajectory There is a path animation or the like in which the object is moved on a trajectory by designating the time point and the end time point.

[0004] These animations are produced using a dedicated tool (including software incorporated in a personal computer), for example, Gain Momentum of SYBASE. In order to check the movement, the work of actually displaying the animation and checking the movement was performed, and if necessary, the work of changing the size, shape, trajectory etc of the object was repeated several times Is the current situation.

FIG. 23 shows a path animation object and a trajectory displayed by using the conventional device, and FIG. 24 shows a time operation panel 230 of the conventional device. In FIG. 24, when the play button 231 is turned on, the time starts, and when the stop button 232 is turned on, the time starts.
Stop the moving animation during playback. When the reset button 233 is turned on, the current time of the animation is returned to 0. In the time display frame 234, the time from when the play button 231 is turned on until the present time is represented by a numeral. Further, the time mark 236 is stored in the time memory 235.
Moves to the right over time, indicating the current time of the animation. That is, the time mark 236 on the time memory 235 represents the present time visually.

[0006] The time section mark 237 is
1, the movement start time point and the movement stop time point are specified. When the time mark 236 approaches the beginning of the time section mark 237, the object 221 starts moving, and when the end of the time section mark 237 is reached, the object 221 starts moving. 221 stops moving.

In the above configuration, when the play button 231 is pressed, the number displayed on the time display frame 234 increases, and the time mark 236 starts moving to the right. Time display frame 23
The display of 4 is 0: 00: 01.0000 (hour: minute: second)
, And the time mark 236 is stored in the time memory 235 at 1..
When the object 221 moves to 0 (second), that is, the start position of the time section mark 237, the object 221 starts moving along the trajectory 222. Time display frame 234 is 0:00:03.
0000, and the time mark 236 is stored in the time memory 23.
5, 3.0 (second), that is, when the object 221 of FIG.
Reaches the end of the trajectory 222 and stops. Even when the animation is being displayed, the animation can be stopped in the middle of the movement by pressing the stop button 232, and the position and size of the snapshot at that time point can be confirmed.

When editing an animation, if there is any correction, this operation is repeated to confirm the flow of the animation. FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram of a conventional animation editing apparatus.

Play button 231 on time operation panel 230
24 (see FIG. 24), the time advances, and when the time approaches the beginning of the time section mark 207, the time data given to the time acquisition means 99 from the time operation panel 230 is converted to the animation data control means. The animation data corresponding to the given time is read from the animation data storage means 106. Animation data control means 105
Calculates the necessary data (vector data) such as the position and size of the animation corresponding to the given time based on the data read out in this way, and gives it to the drawing means 98. The drawing means 98 draws image data in units of dots (or pixels in which a plurality of dots are collected) in the bitmap memory 97 based on the animation data thus obtained. As a result, FIG.
The animation in which the object 221 moves along the predetermined trajectory 222 as shown in FIG.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, particularly when trying to confirm snapshots at a plurality of time points, the snapshots at the plurality of time points cannot be displayed at the same time, and each of the snapshots cannot be displayed at the same time. In order to obtain a snapshot at a time point, it is necessary to perform the above operations a plurality of times, which is very time-consuming.

Further, the above-mentioned conventional method has a particularly remarkable problem when a plurality of objects move in a complicated manner. FIG. 25 is an example in which a plurality of objects make complicated movements. The star-shaped object 241 moves in accordance with the dotted arrow, the round object 242 moves while colliding with the object 241 in accordance with the solid arrow while changing the magnification, and the triangular object 243 rotates while If you move according to the arrow, it is difficult to grasp the flow of the animation at a glance with the conventional method above, and when you make adjustments such as adjusting the timing of the collision of the objects, you have to make minor corrections However, there was a drawback that work efficiency was extremely poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and is intended to display an animation at a desired time point in a stationary state or repeatedly at a desired time interval. It is another object of the present invention to provide an animation editing apparatus that can easily understand the flow of an animation in a complicated animation and can produce an animation with high efficiency.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following means. First, in order to display a snapshot at a specific time point in the present invention, a time selecting means capable of selecting at least one time point and an image type selecting means capable of selecting a type of an image to be displayed are provided. Based on the snapshot data at the time point obtained by giving the time point set by the time selection means to the animation data control means, drawing according to the image type designated by the image type selection means is performed. And the above-mentioned display control means.

The display control means includes a snapshot enumeration display control means for enumerating and displaying snapshots corresponding to each time point as shown in FIG. 2, and a snapshot enumeration display control means as shown in FIG. Snapshot superimposed display control means for displaying shots simultaneously in one position coordinate system, and snapshot continuous display control for displaying snapshots corresponding to each time point continuously in one position coordinate system along a time axis Means, as shown in FIG. 4, a snapshot three-dimensional display control means for displaying a snapshot corresponding to each time point in a three-dimensional coordinate system is conceivable.

[0015] The snapshot enumeration display control means,
The snapshot superimposed display control means and the snapshot three-dimensional display control means take in each time point set by the time selection means and give it to the animation data control means. And a drawing unit that obtains snapshot data corresponding to the image type and performs drawing according to the image type.

The snapshot continuous display control means captures the time points set by the time selection means and stores the time points in the time storage means, and stores the time points captured in the time storage means on a time axis. , And a drawing unit that draws a snapshot corresponding to each time point obtained by the animation data control unit along the time axis.

In order to display animation data in a specific time section in the present invention, at least one
A time selecting means capable of selecting a time section, an image type selecting means capable of selecting a type of image to be displayed, and a plurality of time points belonging to a specific time section set by the time selecting means. The display control means for sequentially giving snapshot data at each time point to the data control means and performing drawing in accordance with the image type designated by the image selection means based on the snapshot data. Configuration.

The display control means includes, as shown in FIG. 5, a section animation enumeration display control means for displaying an animation corresponding to each time section in a separate coordinate system, and as shown in FIG. Section animation superimposed display control means for simultaneously displaying the corresponding animation in one position coordinate system, and section animation continuous display for sequentially displaying the animation corresponding to each time section in one position coordinate system along the time axis Control means, FIG.
As shown in (1), a section animation three-dimensional display control means for displaying an animation corresponding to each time section in a three-dimensional coordinate system can be considered.

The above-mentioned section animation enumeration display control means, section animation superimposition display control means, and section animation three-dimensional display control means take in the time section set by the time selection means and store it in time storage means; Based on time determination means for giving the time points belonging to each time section taken into the time storage means to the animation data control means and snapshot data along the time axis obtained from the animation data control means, each time section And a drawing unit for drawing an animation corresponding to the image type corresponding to.

The above-mentioned section animation continuous display control means also has the same configuration, but the above-mentioned time determination means sequentially sends the time points belonging to each time section taken into the above-mentioned time storage means to the animation data control means along the time axis. It has a function to give to.

When actually editing an animation in the above configuration, the animation editing means 116 is used. Thus, the position, shape, size, trajectory, and the like of the object can be changed.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, when an animation is edited, if the position, size, etc. of a snapshot, which is a display mode at each time point of the animation, are known, the editing is assisted. As a method of displaying this snapshot, as shown in FIG. 2, a snapshot enumeration display in which a plurality of snapshots at respective desired time points (here, seconds) are enumerated and displayed in different position coordinate systems of the same scale is used. Can be illustrated. As a result, the positions and sizes of the snapshots S _{1 to} S _{6 at} the desired time point can be reliably grasped. In FIG. 2, a time point corresponding to each snapshot is displayed below the display frames 211 to 216 of each snapshot.

As another example of the snapshot display method, as shown in FIG. 3, snapshots S _{1 to} S ₆ at at least one desired time point are displayed.
A superimposed snapshot display that is displayed together with the trajectory 301 in the same position coordinate system is provided, whereby the positions and sizes of the snapshots at a plurality of desired time points can be compared. Also in FIG. 3, the time corresponding to each of the snapshots S _{1 to} S ₆ is displayed outside the display frame.

Further, although not shown, a continuous snapshot display (a kind of animation) for displaying a plurality of snapshots at desired times in a specific position coordinate system over time can be exemplified. It is possible to grasp the transition of the snapshot at an appropriate time point.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, snapshots S _{1 to} S ₃ at at least one desired time point are provided.
Is a snapshot three-dimensional display in which two-dimensional position coordinate axes 401 to 403 are displayed in a three-dimensional coordinate system arranged along a vertical time axis. In FIG. 4, two-dimensional position coordinate axes 4 in the horizontal direction and the oblique depth direction are shown.
Time axes 01 to 403 are also taken in the vertical direction, and snapshots S _{1 to} S _{3 at} respective time points are drawn on the two-dimensional coordinate axis together with the locus 404 thereof.
Also, each time point is displayed along with the corresponding snapshot. At this time, the moving speed of the snapshot can be determined from the locus of the position of the snapshot.

As described above, when not only the snapshot at each time point but also the transition along the time axis of the snapshot in a specific time section, ie, the animation is displayed, the state of the animation in the time section is displayed. It is effective to be able to watch only the target.

As a display method of this animation,
As shown in FIG. 5, a section animation enumeration display in which a plurality of animations A _{1 to} A ₆ in each desired time section are enumerated and displayed in different position coordinate systems of the same scale can be exemplified. In FIG. 5, a time section corresponding to each animation is displayed below each of the display frames 501 to 506 of each snapshot.

As another example of the animation display method, as shown in FIG. 6, there is a section animation superimposed display in which a plurality of animations in desired time sections are displayed on the same position coordinate system. Also in FIG. 6, time sections corresponding to the animations A ₁ , A ₂ , and A ₃ are displayed outside the display frame.

Further, although not shown, an animation in each desired time interval is displayed in a specific position coordinate system along a time axis. That is, in the section animation superimposed display of FIG. 6, each of the animations A _{1 to} A ₃ is simultaneously displayed. In the case of the section animation continuous display, the elapsed time of the animation is one as a whole. Therefore, the animations A _{1 to} A ₃ in FIG. 6 appear sequentially as time elapses.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of animations A _{1 to} A ₃ in each desired time section are displayed in a three-dimensional coordinate system consisting of a two-dimensional position coordinate axis and a time axis. A dimensional display is conceivable. Here, the state where the two-dimensional coordinate axes 701 to 703 are set in the horizontal direction and the oblique depth direction and the time axis is set in the vertical direction is the same as the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention for displaying various images as described above. First, a display control unit 100 is provided to display each of the image types. The display control means 100 is further provided with display control means 107 to 115 corresponding to each image type. That is, the snapshot enumeration display control unit 107 performs the snapshot enumeration display shown in FIG. 2 and the snapshot superimposition display control unit 108 performs the snapshot superimposition display shown in FIG.
However, a snapshot continuous display control means 109 is provided for performing snapshot continuous display, and a snapshot three-dimensional display control means 110 is provided for performing snapshot three-dimensional display shown in FIG.

Further, the following display control means is provided for displaying the various animations described above. That is,
To perform the section animation enumeration display shown in FIG. 5,
In order for the section animation enumeration display control means 111 to perform the section animation superimposed display shown in FIG. 6, the section animation superimposed display control means 112 performs the section animation continuous display control means 113 for performing the section animation continuous display. The section animation three-dimensional display control means 114 is provided for performing the section animation three-dimensional display shown in FIG. Furthermore, in order to perform a normal animation display, the animation display control means 1
15 are provided.

By the way, in order to display each image type as described above, a specific time point or time section needs to be given to each of the display control means 107 to 115. Therefore, the present invention is provided with a time selecting means 200 for setting a time point or a time section as shown in FIG. 1 or as shown in more detail in FIG.

The time selection means 200 is displayed on the display screen at the start of the procedure, as will be described later. The input means 400, such as a mouse, will be described below.
Can be used to proceed with the input operation.

That is, the time is displayed in the time display zone 201 in a specific unit (here, in units of seconds).
2 can be arranged in at least one place.
When setting a time section, the section mark 203 is drawn using the input means 400 such as a mouse, so that at least one required time section can be set. Although the time marks 202 are arranged at equal intervals in FIG. 21, they need not always be arranged at equal intervals. The section indicated by each section mark 203 is constant at 0.5 seconds, and the section mark 203
Are arranged at equal intervals, but it is a matter of course that a different length of time can be set for each section mark 203 and the interval between each section mark can also be set to a different time.

Further, as described later, in the continuous snapshot display and the section animation continuous display, the display based on the first time point or the time section after a predetermined time has elapsed from the display of the last time point or the time section. ,
Returning to the beginning. At this time, it is necessary to set the head return waiting time Tr ₀ (Tr ₁ ) as the predetermined time. Therefore, the end mark 204 can be set in the time selecting means 200 of FIG. 21 and the time from the last time point to the end mark 204 or the time from the end of the last time section to the end mark 204 is set in the return waiting time. Time Tr ₀ (Tr ₁ ).

The time mark 202 and the section mark 2
03, end mark 204 (or return waiting time Tr ₀
The function of (Tr ₁ )) will be described later. FIG. 24 above
However, as described above, the play button 231, the stop button 232,
A reset button 233 is provided, and the operator can play, stop, and reset the animation by pointing each button with a cursor.
Although not shown in FIG. 21, a time display frame 234 and a time memory 235 similar to those shown in FIG. 24 may be provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the present invention provides an image type selecting means 30 for designating which image type among the image types shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 is to be displayed.
0 is provided.

That is, as shown in FIG. 22, items corresponding to the respective image types can be displayed. The operator can select at least one image type by drawing the selection mark 311 with the input means 400. Is available. In addition, as shown in the item of "animation display" in the lowermost column, display of normal animation similar to the conventional one can be selected.

In the snapshot continuous display processing, it is necessary to set the intervals at which the snapshots at each time point are displayed as described later. TW ₀ can be set. Also in the section animation continuous display processing, it is necessary to set a time interval between displaying an animation in a certain time section and displaying an animation in the next time section. ₁ can be set.

In FIG. 1, as in the prior art, an animation data storage means 106 is provided. The animation data storage means 106 stores one or both of a key frame animation and a path animation. ing.

As described above, the key frame animation designates an object position or a state at a plurality of points on a time axis and automatically complements the position between the object positions and states.
One or more pairs of time and coordinates, or an object ID and one or more pairs of time and magnification, or one of an object ID and one or more pairs of time and rotation angles. .

As described above, the path animation designates the trajectory of an object and also designates the start and end times of the trajectory to move the object on the trajectory. The necessary data is a set of the object ID of the moving object, the time of the starting point of the path, the time of the ending point of the path, and the data of the trajectory.

In FIG. 1, the animation data control means 105 is provided, and when a time point is given as follows, the size and position of a snapshot at the time point are calculated. Is given a time section, the size, position, and the like of the snapshot at each time point to which the time section belongs are sequentially calculated and output to the display control means 100.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the above-mentioned apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the contents of the operation step (S803) of the display control means shown in FIG. First, the time selection means 200 shown in FIG. 21 is displayed on the screen. Here, the operator sets a time point using the time mark 202 as described above, or sets a time section using the section mark 203 (FIG. 8, step S
801).

When the time setting is completed, the operator selects a desired image type from the image type selection means 300 displayed on the screen, and then sets the time selection means 200.
When the reproduction button 231 is designated, the display control means 107 to 115 corresponding to each image type selected as described above are activated (FIG. 8, step S802 → S803). The display control means 107 to 115 activated in this way perform the display at the set time point or time section as described below, and during this time the editing work by the operator is performed (FIG. 8). , Step S804).

When the image type is selected as described above, the set image display control means among the corresponding image display control means 107 to 115 is set at the set time point or time interval set by the time selection means 200. (S803 in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, left column steps S901Y to S901)
17Y). Among them, first, the case of displaying various snapshots other than the continuous snapshot display (FIG. 9, steps S902, S904, and S908) will be described below.

FIG. 10 shows each display control means 1 for displaying a snapshot other than the above-described continuous snapshot display.
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the digital camera 07, 108, and 110. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure. still,
Each of the display control means 107, 108, and 110 corresponds to FIG.
0, the functions are almost the same, and only the operation procedure of the details is slightly different. Therefore, the common parts will be described first.

First, as described above, the image type selecting means 30
When any one (or a plurality) of snapshot enumeration display, snapshot superimposed display, and snapshot three-dimensional display is selected from 0, each display control means 10 is displayed.
7, 108 and 110, a flag is set in the selection register 9 constituting the corresponding display control means, and the display control means can be activated (FIG. 9, steps S901Y, 903).
Y, 907Y).

In this state, the time acquisition means 11 confirms the number n of the time points set in the time selection means 200 and stores it in the set number register 13 (FIG. 11, step S1000). From 200, the set time points are sequentially acquired from the earliest time (FIG. 1).
1, Step S1001). Thus, the time selecting means 20
The time points obtained from 0 are sequentially notified to the animation data control means 105. Upon receiving the notification, the animation data control means 105 refers to the contents of the animation data storage means 106 and sets the time points as described above. Data relating to the corresponding snapshot (shape, position, size, etc. of the snapshot) is calculated, and the result is sequentially input to the drawing means 12 as snapshot data (FIG. 11, step S1002).

The drawing means 12 stores the required number of display areas according to the image type as described below.
02, and based on the snapshot data for each time point entered as described above,
Processing is performed so that the specified snapshot is displayed at the specified position (FIG. 11, step S1003).
As described above, the above-described series of procedures is sequentially performed from the earliest time point to the end of the drawing for the set number n of time points (see step S1004 in FIG. 11).

The operation of the drawing means 12 differs slightly between the display control means 107, 108 and 110. That is, the enumeration drawing unit 1 of the snapshot enumeration display control unit 107
In 2a, as shown in FIG. 2, when a plurality of n time points are set, a number n of position coordinate systems corresponding to the set time points are formed, and a time corresponding to each position coordinate system is formed. A point snapshot is drawn (FIG. 11, step S1003a). In the superimposition drawing means 12b of the snapshot superimposition display control means 108, even if there are a plurality of time points set as shown in FIG. 3, the snapshots corresponding to the plurality of time points are stored in one position coordinate system. They are displayed at the same time (FIG. 11, step S1003b). Further, the three-dimensional drawing means 12c of the snapshot three-dimensional display control means 111 displays the position coordinates 2 as shown in FIG.
Two axes are drawn along the vertical time axis, and each position coordinate system 70
A snapshot corresponding to a time point corresponding to 1 to 703 is drawn (FIG. 11, step S1003c).

For these displays, the animation data control means 105 makes the display control means 107, 10
Although the types of data given to the drawing units 12a, 12b, and 12c are the same, the enumeration drawing unit 12a needs a process of distributing data in accordance with the display position as described above. Unlike the other drawing units 12a and 12b, the three-dimensional drawing unit 12c that performs dimensional display requires processing that is conscious of the time axis. It should be noted that a method of displaying the snapshot at each time point in a separate coordinate system (see FIG. 2) or a method of displaying the snapshot in one coordinate system (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is well known and will not be described. I do.

Since the display of the above-mentioned snapshot does not involve the passage of time, it can be displayed with a relatively simple structure or procedure as described above. Since it is necessary to display a snapshot of a point, the snapshot continuous display control means 109 has a more complicated configuration or operation procedure than the above-mentioned snapshot display control means 107, 108, 110 as follows.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the snapshot continuous display control means.
3, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation. Similarly to the above, when the continuous snapshot display is selected by the image type selection means 300, the continuous snapshot display control means 1
A flag is set in the selection register 9 included in the setting register 09. As a result, the processing shifts to the snapshot continuous display processing (FIG. 9, step S905Y).

In this state, the time acquisition means 11 checks the number n of the time points set in the time selection means 200 and stores it in the set number register 13 (FIG. 13, step S1200). Thus, the time points are sequentially acquired from the earlier set time point (FIG. 13, step S1201). The time obtained by the time selecting means 200 is sequentially stored in the time storing means 14. When the storing procedure of the time obtaining means 11 in the time storing means 14 is completed, a flag is set in the end register 15, and Registers necessary for the time determination described below are initialized, which will be described later. Further, each time point is stored in the storage means 14 as a combination of data corresponding to a number i (i: an integer from 1 to n) for dividing each time point and each time point.

When the flag is set in the end register 15 as described above, the time determination means 22 is started (FIG. 14, step S150). That is, in FIG. 12, the time determining means 22 obtains the previous time TP and the waiting time TW from the temporary memory 24 described later, obtains the current time T from the time selecting means 200, and performs the following calculation.

[0058]

(T-TP)> TW (1) Here, as described later, the last time TP is the current time at which the previous display processing was performed, and the waiting time TW is the current time T
This is the time until the time point at which the next snapshot is displayed, and this value gradually decreases as described below. Also, the initial value is wait TW ₀ between time points is entered in the time frame 312 behind the item "snapshot continuous display" of the image type selection means 300 shown in FIG. 22.

If the above requirements are not satisfied, it is determined that the time point to be displayed this time has not yet been reached, and
TW- (T-TP) is stored as the waiting time TW in the temporary memory 24, and the current time T is stored as the previous time TP (FIG. 14, step S151).
→ S152N → S153 → S160).

When the current time T advances and the waiting time TW gradually decreases, and the above equation (1) is satisfied, the flow shifts to the following snapshot display processing. That is,
The time determination means 22 stores 0 in the temporary memory 24 as the waiting time TW, and acquires the time point Tk to be displayed this time from the time storage means 14 (FIG. 14, steps S152Y → S154 → S155).
It should be noted that the more detailed content of the step S155 is that the number i corresponding to the presently displayed time point Tk is registered in the time register 25, and the time determining means 22 refers to the number i and reads out the time from the time storing means 14. Get actual time data.

The time point Tk of the current display acquired by the time determination means 22 is notified to the animation data control means 106, where the snapshot data corresponding to the time point Tk is obtained, and the snapshot continuous drawing is performed. The means 12d is notified. As a result, the snapshot continuous drawing means 12d draws the snapshot corresponding to the time point Tk in the bitmap memory 102 (FIG. 14, step S156 → S157).

When the drawing process is completed, the time determining means 22 prepares for the next display. That is,
If the time point Tk displayed this time is not the last time point, the next time point (number i) is stored as the current time point Tk in the time register 25 and the inter-time point waiting time TW ₀ is stored. It is stored in the temporary memory 24 as the waiting time TW (FIG. 14, step S158N → S1).
59a → S159b). Further, the current time T subjected to the drawing process is stored in the temporary memory 24 as the previous time TP (FIG. 14, step S160).

The time point T displayed this time is displayed.
When k is the last time point, the time register 2
5, the first time point (number i = 1) is set to the current display time point T.
stores as k, stored in the temporary memory 24 the return latency Tr ₀ from time point of the last until the time point marked as the end mark 204 on the time selection means 200 as a waiting time TW. Further, the current time T at which the drawing processing is performed is stored as the previous time point TP.
(FIG. 14, step S158Y → S159c → S159)
d → S160).

Here, as described above, the time storage means 14
When all the time points stored in the memory are stored (FIG. 13,
In step S1203), the temporary memory 24 and the time register 25 are initialized. As a result, the temporary memory 24 has the previous time TP = 0 and the waiting time TW = 0 (or a predetermined initial waiting time Ts). ,
Further, the time register 25 has a number i =
1) is stored as the current display time point Tk.

In this state, the snapshot at the first time point is displayed immediately after the procedure of the continuous display of snapshots is started (or when the predetermined initial waiting time Ts has elapsed).

When the drawing of the first time point is completed, the time point Tk (the first time point) to be displayed this time is displayed.
Is stored in the temporary memory 24 as the previous display time point TP.
The waiting time TW ₀ between the time points set in the time frame 312 is recorded as the waiting time TW, and the time register 25 stores the second time point (number i =
2) is stored as the current display time point Tk. Thus the display process of sequential snapshot to appear in the ₀ every the predetermined time TW, the display of the snapshot corresponding to the time point of the last is finished, the time register 25
The first time point (the number i = 1) is the current display time point T
k, and a return waiting time Tr from the last time point to the time point corresponding to the end mark 204.
₀ is stored as the waiting time TW.

As a result, the next time the snapshot corresponding to the first time point is displayed, so that the snapshot display is performed continuously and repeatedly as time elapses.

In the above description, the waiting time between time points TW
_{Although 0} and the return waiting time Tr ₀ are set separately, the inter-point waiting time TW ₀ may be used as it is as the return waiting time Tr ₀ .

[0069] Next, FIG.
Is a functional block diagram for displaying
16 and FIG. 17 are flowcharts thereof. In addition, section animation
Each section shown in FIG.
Animation display control means 111, 112, 114
Since both have the same configuration and almost the same procedure,
First, common parts will be described.

First, when any of the section animation display control means 111, 112, 114 is selected by the image type selection means 300, a flag is set in the selection register 9 of each section animation display control means 111, 112, 114. Is set up. As a result, the respective section animation display control means 111, 112, 114 are put into the operating state (FIG. 9, steps S909Y, S911Y, S911).
915Y). Hereinafter, the section animation enumeration display, the section animation fold display, and the section animation three-dimensional display (FIG. 9, steps S910, S912, S916) will be described in detail.

In the above state, the number of time sections n set by the time selection means 200 is confirmed by the time acquisition means 11, and the value n is stored in the set number register 13 (FIG. 16, step S1400). Next, the time acquisition unit 22 sequentially stores the plurality of time sections acquired from the time selection unit 200 in the time storage unit 14. When the storage of all the time sections is completed, the time acquisition unit 11 sets a flag in the end register 15. (FIG. 16, steps S1401 → S1402 →
S1403). The time section is represented by a combination of data corresponding to the start end T _1j and the end T _2j of the time section and the number j (j: an integer from 1 to n for dividing the time section) that divides each time section. It is stored in the storage means 14.

The time judging means 22 uses the end register 15
Is activated, the current time T is obtained from the time selection means 200 (FIG. 17, step S16).
0 → S161), and sequentially obtains the start T _1j and end T _2j of each time section stored in the stage 14. Based on this, the time determination means 22 performs the following calculation. That is, the start T _1j and the end T _{2j of} the time section, and the current time T
And from

[0073]

## EQU2 ## The remainder A of T / (T _2j −T _1j ) is obtained, and then [each start end T _1j + the remainder A] is notified to the animation data control means 105. This [each starting end T _1j + the remainder A] is a time point belonging to each time section, and is a value that reciprocates in the time section as the current time progresses.

Based on this, the animation data control means 105 outputs snapshot data for each time point, and the drawing means 12 performs a drawing process based on the snapshot data (FIG. 17, step S164). ). These steps S162 to S164 are repeated for the same current time T by the number n of time sections set in the time storage means 14 (see FIG. 17, step S165). In addition, as long as the equation (2) is followed, the animation of the same section is repeatedly displayed as time progresses.

Also in this example, the time determining means 22 refers to the number j corresponding to each of the time sections stored in the time register 25 and sequentially _reads the start end T _1j and the end of each of the time sections from the time storing means 14. T _2j is read out,
The initial setting of the time register 25 is also performed at the stage of step S1403 in FIG. 16, but the detailed procedure is omitted in FIGS. Further, in the above description, if the current time T is started from zero, the time until the remaining AGA is left will remain in a non-display state. It is also possible to

[0076] When displaying each of the above animations,
From the animation data control means 105 to each drawing means 12
The type of data notified to the
In step 12, necessary data is selected and a predetermined image is set in a predetermined position.
Is formed.

That is, animation enumeration drawing means 1
In 2e, a number of position coordinate systems corresponding to the number n set in the set number register 13 are displayed, and animation in each set time section shown in FIG. 5 is displayed in each position coordinate system. Also, animation superimposition drawing means 1
In 2f, as shown in FIG. 6, an animation of the set time section is displayed in one coordinate system. Further, the animation in each set section is displayed together with the three-dimensional coordinate system in the animation three-dimensional drawing means 12g.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of the section animation continuous display control means 113.
9 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure. The procedure until the data corresponding to the start end T _1j and the end T _2j of each time section is stored in the time storage means 14 is the same as the procedure of the other time section animation display shown in FIG.
Here, the description is omitted.

When the procedure for storing data relating to all time sections in the time storage means 14 is completed (FIG. 16, step S1403), a flag is set in the end register 15 so that the time determination means 22 can be activated. Becomes The flags related to the time determination means 22 are initialized at the same time when the flag is set in the end register 15, which will be described later. Further, it is assumed that the time section is stored in the storage means 14 as data corresponding to the combination of the start end T _1j and the end T _2j of each time section and the number j for dividing each section, as in the above example.

When the end register 15 is flagged, the time determination means 22 obtains the previous time TP and the waiting time TW from the temporary memory 24 to be described later, and obtains the current time T from the time selection means 200. Then, the following judgment is made. Here, the waiting time TW is the time from the current time T to the start of the display of the next time section, and its initial value is the image type selection means 3 shown in FIG.
00 is an initial waiting time TW ₁ which is set in the time frame 313 of the rear side of the item of "interval animation continuous display" of. Further, this waiting time TW decreases as time progresses.

[0081]

(T-TP)> TW (3) If the above requirements are not satisfied, the display time (FIG. 21)
, And TW- (T-TP) is stored in the temporary memory 24 as the waiting time TW, and the current time T is stored in the temporary memory 24 as the previous time TP. (FIG. 19, steps S171 → S172N → S173 → S1
85).

The above procedure proceeds, and the waiting time TW is gradually shortened. When the current time T satisfies the above equation (3), the processing shifts to the following snapshot display processing. That is, the time determination means 22 stores 0 in the temporary memory 24.
Is stored as the waiting time, and the start end T _1j and the end T _2j of the time section indicated by the section mark 203 to be displayed this time are acquired from the time storage means 14 (FIG. 19, steps S172Y → S174 → S175). Here, S
In step 175, the number j corresponding to each of the above time sections is stored in the time register 25.
Is a procedure for reading the start end T _1j and the end T _2j of each section from the time storage means 14 by referring to the numbers.

Next, the drawing register 26 described later is checked. If a flag indicating that drawing is being performed is set, the drawing is currently being displayed, and the process proceeds to step S17.
The display start time T0 of the time section stored in the display start register 27 in the step 7c is stored in the display start register 27.
(Step S176Y → step S177a in FIG. 19). If the flag is not set in the drawing register 26 in the step S176, the current time T acquired in the step S171 is taken into the time determination means 22 as the display start time T0, and the flag is set in the drawing register 26. (FIG. 19, step S1)
76N → S177b → S177c).

Thereafter, the time section determination means 22 determines whether or not the current time T exists in the time section to be currently displayed.

[0085]

(T _2j −T _1j )> (T−T 0) (4)

That is, when the above expression is satisfied, the current time T is the start end T _{1j of the} time section currently being displayed.
Means that the time is between the end T _2j and the end T _2j. Therefore, the animation data control means 106 determines the elapsed time from the start T _1j of the present display time section to the present time by (T _1j + (T−
T0)). Thereby, the animation data control means 106 obtains the snapshot data at the corresponding time point, and the drawing means 12h displays the snapshot based on the snapshot data (FIG. 19, steps S178Y → S179 → S18).
0).

This procedure is continued as long as the above equation (4) holds, and an animation in the corresponding time section is displayed. On the other hand, as the current time T advances, the above equation (4)
Is not satisfied, the above display processing is not performed.
The flag of the drawing register 26 is lowered, and the next time section (number j) is set in the time register 25 (FIG. 19, step S178N → S181).

In the normal case of the next time section,
The next time section (number j) of the time section to be displayed until immediately before is set in the time register 25, and the inter-section waiting time TW set in the time frame 313 of the time selection means 300 is set. ₁ is stored in the temporary memory 24 as the waiting time TW (FIG. 19, step S18).
2N → S183a → S184a). However, when the current time T exceeds the end T _2n of the last set time section, the next time section to be displayed is the first time section. At this time, the head return waiting time Tr ₁ from the end T _2n of the last time section to the end mark 204 is the waiting time T
W (FIG. 19, step S191Y → S)
192b → S193b).

Thereafter, the current time T is stored as the previous time (FIG. 19, step S185). As described above, when data is stored in the time storage unit 14 from all time intervals (FIG. 16, step S1403), the temporary memory 24, the drawing register 26, the display start register 27, and the time register 25 are initialized. . As a result, in the temporary memory 24, the waiting time T0 is 0 (or a predetermined time Ts), and the previous time is T
P = 0 is set, the time register 25 is set to the corresponding number j = 1 of the first time section, the drawing register 26 is set to 0, and the display start register 27 is also set to 0.

In this state, when the procedure shifts to the continuous animation display, the snapshots at the time points belonging to the first time interval are immediately displayed as animation immediately (or after the time Ts has elapsed). Become.

As described above, each time section is displayed sequentially from the first time section, and the process proceeds as described above until the display of the last time section. When the current time T passes the end T _2n of the last time section, the end T _2n of the last time section set in the time selection means 200 and the end mark 204
, Ie, the head return waiting time Tr ₁ is registered in the temporary memory 24 as the waiting time TW ₁ , and after the return waiting time Tr ₁ has elapsed, the display of the first time section is executed again, The procedure will be repeated.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a procedure for correcting an animation while various kinds of snapshots or animations as described above are displayed. First,
If the snapshot is moving as in the continuous snapshot display or various section animation displays, press the stop button 232, and then go to the edit menu from the edit menu for other snapshot displays. Can proceed. When the editing procedure starts, the animation editing means 116 is activated. Here, the object to be corrected is selected by the input means 400, and the selected object is registered in the register (FIG. 20, step S1901 → S1902). Next, when it is desired to correct (for example, move) the object, the user designates a “move” menu and moves the object with a cursor or the like (FIG. 20, step S1903 → S
1904). Of course, not only the movement but also a change in the size of the object, a change in the trajectory, etc. can be considered as the type of the correction.

In the present invention, the image type selecting means 3
If "animation display" is selected from 00, the entire animation can be displayed as in the conventional case.

[0094]

As described above, according to the present invention, the time point desired by the operator or the desired time section can be set by the time selecting means, so that the snapshot at the above time point or the animation at the time section can be obtained. There is an effect that can be displayed. Further, since various image types can be designated by the image type selecting means, the above-mentioned snapshot or animation can be displayed corresponding to the designated image type. Further, since the operator can edit while watching the snapshot at the desired time or the animation in the desired time section, there is an effect that the editing of the animation becomes extremely easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a snapshot enumeration display.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a snapshot superimposed display.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a snapshot three-dimensional display.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of section animation enumeration display.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of section animation superimposed display.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of section animation three-dimensional display.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the display control means.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of snapshot display control means other than the continuous snapshot display.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a snapshot display control means.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of a snapshot continuous display control unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the snapshot continuous display control means.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the snapshot continuous display control means.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of a section animation display control unit.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a section animation display control means.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a section animation display control means.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of a section animation continuous display control means.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the section animation continuous display control means.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing animation correction.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing details of a time selection unit.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating details of an image type selection unit.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional animation object and its trajectory.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a time operation panel of a conventional device.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional plurality of objects and their trajectories.

FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram of a conventional animation editing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Time acquisition means 12 Drawing means 22 Time determination means 100 Display control means 105 Animation data control means 107 Snapshot enumeration display control means 108 Snapshot superimposition display control means 109 Snapshot continuous display control means 110 Snapshot three-dimensional display control means 111 Section animation enumeration display control means 112 Section animation superimposition display control means 113 Section animation continuous display control means 114 Section animation three-dimensional display control means 200 Time selection means 300 Image type selection means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuko Fujita 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (15)

[Claims] An animation in which snapshot data corresponding to each time point is obtained by inputting a specific time point to animation data control means, and a snapshot is displayed by a display control means based on the snapshot data. In the editing apparatus, a time selecting means capable of selecting at least one time point; an image type selecting means capable of selecting a type of an image to be displayed; and the animation data controlling the time point set by the time selecting means. Obtained by giving to the means,
Based on the snapshot data at the time point,
An animation editing apparatus comprising: the display control means for performing drawing according to an image type designated by an image type selection means. 2. The display control means independently displays a snapshot corresponding to each time point set by a time selection means on a position coordinate system secured in correspondence with the number of each time point. 2. The animation editing device according to claim 1, wherein the animation editing device is a snapshot enumeration display control unit. 3. The display control means stores a snapshot corresponding to each time point set by the time selection means as one
2. The animation editing device according to claim 1, wherein the animation editing device is a snapshot superimposed display control unit that simultaneously displays the images on the position coordinate system. 4. The display control means stores one or more snapshots corresponding to each time point set by the time selection means.
2. The animation editing device according to claim 1, wherein the animation editing device is a snapshot continuous display control unit that continuously displays the position coordinate system along the time axis. 5. The display control means stores a snapshot corresponding to each time point set by the time selection means,
2. The animation editing device according to claim 1, wherein the animation editing device is a snapshot three-dimensional display control means for displaying a snapshot in a three-dimensional coordinate system including a three-dimensional position coordinate axis and a time axis. 6. The display control means: a time acquisition means which fetches each time point set by the time selection means and gives the time point to the animation data control means; and a snapshot corresponding to each time point by the animation data control means. The animation editing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: drawing means for acquiring data and performing drawing according to an image type. 7. The snapshot continuous display control means: a time acquisition means, which fetches a time point set by the time selection means and stores the time point in a time storage means, and a time point fetched by the time storage means. Time determination means for sequentially giving the animation data control means sequentially along the time axis, and drawing means for drawing along the time axis snapshots corresponding to each time point obtained by the animation data control means. The animation editing device according to claim 4. 8. By inputting a plurality of continuous time points to the animation data control means, snapshot data corresponding to the time points are sequentially obtained, and based on the snapshot data, the display control means controls the display control means. In an animation editing apparatus for displaying animations corresponding to a plurality of time points, a time selecting means capable of selecting at least one time section; an image type selecting means capable of selecting a type of an image to be displayed; A plurality of time points belonging to a specific time section set by the means are sequentially given to the animation data control means to acquire snapshot data at each time point, and the image selecting means is provided based on the snapshot data. The display control means for rendering according to the image type specified by the user. Animation editing apparatus according to claim. 9. A section in which the display control means separately displays an animation corresponding to each time section set by the time selection means on a position coordinate system secured corresponding to the number of each time section. 9. The animation editing device according to claim 8, wherein the animation editing device is an animation enumeration display control unit. 10. The display control means displays an animation corresponding to each time section set by the time selection means.
9. The animation editing device according to claim 8, wherein the animation editing device is a section animation superimposed display control means for simultaneously displaying in the one position coordinate system. 11. The display control means displays an animation corresponding to each time section set by the time selection means.
9. The section animation editing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the section animation continuous display control means sequentially displays the position coordinates on the first position coordinate system along the time axis. 12. The display control means displays an animation corresponding to each time section set by the time selection means.
9. The animation editing device according to claim 8, wherein the animation editing device is a section animation three-dimensional display control means for displaying in a three-dimensional coordinate system consisting of a two-dimensional position coordinate axis and a time axis. 13. The display control means: a time acquisition means for taking in a time section set by the time selection means and storing the time section in a time storage means; and a time point belonging to each time section taken in the time storage means. Time determination means for giving the animation data control means, and drawing means for drawing an animation corresponding to an image type corresponding to each time section based on snapshot data along the time axis obtained by the animation data control means. The animation editing apparatus according to claim 9, comprising: 14. The section animation continuous display control means: fetching a time section set by the time selection means and storing the time section in a time storage means; and belonging to each time section fetched in the time storage means. Time determination means for sequentially giving time points to the animation data control means along the time axis; and animation corresponding to each time section based on the snapshot data along the time axis obtained from the animation data control means. The animation editing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: drawing means for drawing along an axis. 15. The animation editing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising animation editing means.