Graduation Semester and Year
2023
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Computer Science
Department
Computer Science and Engineering
First Advisor
Cesar Torres
Abstract
Motion interpolation is a process where an animator transforms jerky frame transitions into rich motions that communicate anticipation, urgency, hysteresis, and even calmness. Animators leverage mathematical functions known as easing curves to modify the rate at which in-betweens are added to keyframes. While effective, easing curves are tedious to tune since they fundamentally lack the ability to encode spatial information. Inspired by timing charts and other standards from traditional cel animation, we introduce a motion animation technique where secondary marks, which we term EaseMark (e.g., hatches, loops), are used to denote motion interpolation decisions. We synthesize an EaseMark Sketching Language and evaluate it through a crowdsourced study. This sketching language is then put in practice in a tool that allows animators to author motion interpolation by sketching or selecting different EaseMarks that affect an object's visual and spatial expression over time. We discuss how secondary marks can be used to expand the expressiveness and utility of sketching languages in other complex design practices.
Keywords
Stylization, Video games
Disciplines
Computer Sciences | Physical Sciences and Mathematics
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Nguyen, Hadrien, "EaseMarks: Using Secondary Sketch Marks To Author and Communicate Motion Interpolation" (2023). Computer Science and Engineering Theses. 363.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/cse_theses/363
Comments
Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington