JP2004341567A - Image generating system, animation generating method, script, information storage medium, and method for preparing script for animation image generation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an animation of an object by which the preparation or change of animation can be easily carried out. <P>SOLUTION: An image generating system, which is a collection of a plurality of scripts for procedures for generating the series of animation images of an object, is provided with a script information means 12 for storing the information of a plurality of scripts including a common script as for a commonly available common animation and a script execution processing part 120 for calling and executing the common script defined corresponding to the common animation when the common animation is applied to a predetermined object. When the common script is called, the object information of the object at a predetermined time is transmitted to the common script, and when the transmission of the object information is received, the common script is executed to the object being the target of animation of the common script by using the transmitted object information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image generation system, an animation generation method, a script, an information storage medium, and an animation image generation script generation method.
[0002]
[Background Art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, on a menu screen of a game, an object (an object displayed on a menu screen such as a button or a text) constituting a menu screen is animated.
[0003]
Also, there is known a technique of performing an animation on an object using a script that is a procedural language that can be executed by a computer. By using such a technique, a series of animations of an object configuring a menu screen of a game are known. Images can be generated.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-237461
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if the objects that make up the menu screen of the game (for example, objects displayed on the menu screen such as buttons and texts) perform almost the same animation, if the types of the objects are different, animations are separately created and edited. As a result, the amount of work for creating the animation has increased, and it has been difficult to change the animation.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image generation system, an animation generation method, a script, which can execute an animation of an object that can easily create or change an animation. An object of the present invention is to provide an information storage medium and a method for creating a script for generating an animation image.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) The present invention is a system for generating an image,
A procedure for generating a series of animation images of an object is defined as a set of computer-executable scripts, and a common animation applied to different objects can be used commonly for different objects. Script information means for storing information of a plurality of scripts including a common script defined as a script,
A script execution unit for calling and executing a common script defined corresponding to the common animation when causing a given object to perform a common animation;
Image generation means for generating a series of animation images of the object based on the execution result of the script execution means,
The script execution means,
Means for transmitting object information of an object at a given time to the common script at the time of calling the common script;
If the object information is transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed using the object information transmitted to the object to be animated in the common script,
If the object information is not transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is created using the object information or default information defined in the common script for the object to be animated in the common script. Executing means.
[0008]
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image generation system capable of executing an animation of an object in which creation and change of the animation are easy.
[0009]
(2) The image generation system of the present invention comprises:
The script information storage means,
For a common script describing a procedure for generating an animation image of a plurality of objects, storing script information of the common script in which a parent-child relationship is defined between the objects,
The script execution means,
If the object information is transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed by using the transmitted object information for an object defined as a parent object to be animated in the common script. It is characterized by.
[0010]
(3) The image generation system of the present invention comprises:
The object information includes at least one of display position, rotation, scale, vertex color, UV offset, texture information, and vertex position information of the object at a given time.
[0011]
(4) The image generation system of the present invention comprises:
A procedure for generating a series of two-dimensional animation images of objects constituting a game menu screen is defined as a set of a plurality of computer-executable scripts, and the defined script is read and executed to execute the menu of the game. Generating an image.
[0012]
Here, the two-dimensional animation includes an operation, a behavior, and the like of the object on a two-dimensional plane.
[0013]
(5) The present invention is an animation generating method,
A procedure for generating a series of animation images of an object is defined as a set of computer-executable scripts, and a common animation applied to different objects can be used commonly for different objects. A script creation step for creating a script including a common script defined as a script;
A script execution step of calling and executing a common script defined corresponding to the common animation when a given object is to perform a common animation;
Generating a series of animated images of the object based on the execution result of the script execution step,
The script execution step includes:
Transmitting the object information of the object at a given time to the common script at the time of calling the common script;
If the object information is transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed using the object information transmitted to the object to be animated in the common script,
If the object information is not transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is created using the object information or default information defined in the common script for the object to be animated in the common script. Performing the steps.
[0014]
(6) The animation generation method of the present invention includes:
In the script creating step,
For a common script describing a procedure for generating an animation image of a plurality of objects, information of the common script in which a parent-child relationship is defined between the objects is stored,
In the script execution step,
If the object information is transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed by using the transmitted object information for an object defined as a parent object to be animated in the common script. It is characterized by.
[0015]
(7) The animation generation method of the present invention
The object information includes at least one of display position, rotation, scale, vertex color, UV offset, texture information, and vertex position information of the object at a given time.
[0016]
(8) The animation generation method of the present invention
A procedure for generating a series of two-dimensional animation images of objects constituting a game menu screen is defined as a set of a plurality of computer-executable scripts, and the defined script is read and executed to execute the menu of the game. Generating an image.
[0017]
(9) The present invention is an animation generation script that defines a procedure for generating a series of animation images of an object as a set of a plurality of computer-executable scripts,
Common animations that apply commonly to different objects are defined as scripts that can be used commonly for different objects,
If a given object is to perform a common animation, it is defined to use a common script defined corresponding to the common animation,
When the common script is called, when the object information of the object at a given time is transmitted to the common script, the object information is transmitted.
[0018]
(10) Script for Generating Animation of the Present Invention
For a common script that describes the procedure for generating animated images of multiple objects, a parent-child relationship is defined between the objects,
When receiving the object information at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed by using the transmitted object information for an object defined as a parent object to be animated in the common script. It is characterized by being defined.
[0019]
(11) Script for Generating Animation of the Present Invention
The object information includes at least one of display position, rotation, scale, vertex color, UV offset, texture information, and vertex position information of the object at a given time.
[0020]
(12) Script for generating animation of the present invention
An animation generation script, wherein a procedure for generating a series of two-dimensional animation images of objects constituting a menu screen of a game is defined.
[0021]
(13) The present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium storing any one of the scripts described above.
[0022]
(14) The present invention is a script creation method for generating an animation for creating the script described in any of the above.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
The present embodiment described below does not limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily indispensable as means for solving the present invention.
[0025]
1. Constitution
FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of an image generation system (for example, a game system) 10 of the present embodiment.
[0026]
In this figure, this embodiment only needs to include at least the processing unit 100 (or may include the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 170, or the processing unit 100, the storage unit 170, and the information storage medium 180), and other blocks. (For example, the operation unit 160, the display unit 190, the sound output unit 192, the portable information storage device 194, and the communication unit 196) can be optional components.
[0027]
Here, the processing unit 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire system, instruction of instructions to each block in the system, game processing, image processing, or sound processing. It can be realized by hardware such as a CPU, a DSP, or an ASIC (gate array, etc.), or a given program (game program).
[0028]
The operation unit 160 is used by a player to input operation data, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, a button, and a housing.
[0029]
The storage unit 170 includes a main memory (main storage unit or the like) 172, a frame buffer (drawing buffer or the like) 174, or the like, and serves as a work area for the processing unit 100, the communication unit 196, and the like. It can be realized by hardware.
[0030]
An information storage medium (storage medium usable by a computer) 180 stores information such as programs and data, and functions as an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, a hard disk. , A magnetic tape, or hardware such as a memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present invention (the present embodiment) based on the information stored in the information storage medium 180. That is, the information storage medium 180 stores information (program or data) for executing the means of the present invention (the present embodiment) (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 100).
[0031]
A part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 180 is transferred to the storage unit 170 when the power to the system is turned on. The information stored in the information storage medium 180 includes a program for performing the processing of the present invention, image data, sound data, shape data of a display object, table data, list data, and information for instructing the processing of the present invention. And at least one of information for performing processing in accordance with the instruction.
[0032]
The information storage medium 180 includes a script information storage unit 182.
[0033]
The script information storage unit 182 is an animation generation script that defines a procedure for generating a series of animation images of an object as a set of a plurality of computer-executable scripts, and is a common script commonly applied to different objects. The animation is defined as a script that can be used in common for different objects. When a given object is to be subjected to a common animation, a common script defined corresponding to the common animation is used. Defined,
When transmitting the object information of the object at a given time to the common script at the time of calling the common script, an animation generation script defined to transmit the object information is stored.
[0034]
For a common script that describes the procedure for generating animated images of multiple objects, a parent-child relationship is defined between the objects,
When receiving the object information at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed by using the transmitted object information for an object defined as a parent object to be animated in the common script. The defined animation generation script may be stored.
[0035]
Further, an animation generation script in which a procedure for generating a series of two-dimensional animation images of the objects constituting the menu screen of the game may be stored.
[0036]
The display unit 190 outputs an image generated according to the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a CRT, an LCD, or an HMD (head-mounted display).
[0037]
The sound output unit 192 outputs the sound generated according to the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a speaker.
[0038]
The portable information storage device 194 stores a player's personal data, save data, and the like, and the portable information storage device 194 may be a memory card, a portable game device, or the like.
[0039]
The communication unit 196 performs various controls for performing communication with the outside (for example, a host device or another image generation system), and has a function of various processors or hardware such as a communication ASIC. Or by a program or the like.
[0040]
A program or data for executing the means of the present invention (the present embodiment) may be distributed from an information storage medium of a host device (server) to an information storage medium 180 via a network and a communication unit 196. Good. Use of the information storage medium of such a host device (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0041]
The processing unit 100 includes a game processing unit 110, an image generation unit 130, and a sound generation unit 150.
[0042]
Here, the game processing unit 110 performs processing for accepting coins (price), processing for setting various modes, processing for proceeding with a game, processing for setting a selection screen, and the position and rotation angle (X, X) of an object (one or more primitive surfaces). Processing for determining the rotation angle around the Y or Z axis), processing for moving the object (motion processing), processing for determining the position of the viewpoint (the position of the virtual camera) and the line of sight (the rotation angle of the virtual camera), map objects, etc. Various game processes such as a process of arranging objects in an object space, a hit check process, a process of calculating game results (results and results), a process of allowing a plurality of players to play in a common game space, or a game over process To the operation data from the operation unit 160, the personal data from the portable information storage device 194, and the stored data. , Carried out on the basis of a game program.
[0043]
The game processing unit includes a script execution processing unit 120.
[0044]
When causing a given object to perform a common animation, the script execution processing unit 120 calls and executes a common script defined corresponding to the common animation.
[0045]
Then, when the common script is called, the object information of the object at a given time is transmitted to the common script, and when the object information is received at the time of calling the common script, the object is subjected to the animation of the common script. If the common script is executed using the object information transmitted to the object to be executed and the object information is not transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the object to be animated by the common script is executed. The common script is executed using the object information or the default information defined in the common script.
[0046]
If the object information is transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed by using the transmitted object information for an object defined as a parent object to be animated in the common script. Processing may be performed.
[0047]
The image generation unit 130 performs various types of image processing according to instructions from the game processing unit 110 and the like, generates, for example, an image viewed from a virtual camera (viewpoint) in the object space, and outputs the generated image to the display unit 190.
[0048]
Here, the image generation unit 130 functions as an image generation unit that generates a series of animation images of the object based on the execution result of the script execution unit.
[0049]
The sound generation unit 150 performs various types of sound processing in accordance with instructions from the game processing unit 110 and the like, generates sounds such as BGM, sound effects, and sounds, and outputs the sounds to the sound output unit 192.
[0050]
All of the functions of the game processing unit 110, the virtual object arrangement processing unit 120, the image generation unit 130, and the sound generation unit 150 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by a program. . Alternatively, it may be realized by both hardware and a program.
[0051]
The image generation unit 130 includes a geometry processing unit (three-dimensional operation unit) 132 and a drawing unit (rendering unit) 140.
[0052]
Here, the geometry processing unit 132 performs various types of geometry processing (three-dimensional operation) such as coordinate transformation, clipping processing, perspective transformation, or light source calculation. In the present embodiment, the object data (vertex coordinates, vertex texture coordinates, luminance data, and the like of the object) after the geometry processing (after the perspective transformation) are stored and stored in the main storage unit 172 of the storage unit 170. You.
[0053]
The drawing unit 140 draws the object in the drawing buffer 174 based on the object data after the geometry processing (after the perspective transformation) and the texture stored in the storage unit 170. As a result, an image viewed from the virtual camera (viewpoint) is drawn (generated) in the object space where the object moves.
[0054]
Note that the image generation system of the present embodiment may be a system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play, or a multi-player mode in which a plurality of players can play in addition to the single player mode. A system may also be provided.
[0055]
Further, when a plurality of players play, a game image and a game sound to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or may be connected via a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. May be generated using a plurality of terminals.
[0056]
2. Features and processing of this embodiment
The features and processing of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0057]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a script according to the present embodiment.
[0058]
In the present embodiment, a procedure for generating a series of animation images of an object is defined as a set of a plurality of computer-executable scripts, and a common animation (behavior or operation) applied to different objects in common is Includes common scripts defined as scripts that can be used commonly for different objects.
[0059]
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a first script 230 and a second script 240 are defined as a set of scripts for generating a series of animation images of an object (stored in the script information storage unit 182). .
[0060]
Here, in the first script 230, object information on the object A232, the object B234, and the object C236, and animations (movements, behaviors, and the like) of these objects are defined.
[0061]
In the second script 240, object information about the objects D242 and E244 and animations (actions and behaviors) of these objects are defined.
[0062]
Here, assuming that the second object 240 is a common script, the animation of the object defined in the second object can be used as the animation of another object.
[0063]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing reproduction (execution) of a script according to the present embodiment.
[0064]
In the present embodiment, when a given object is to perform a common animation, a common script defined corresponding to the common animation is called and executed.
[0065]
For example, if the object B 234 defined in the first script is to be animated with the objects 242 and 246 defined in the second script 240 that is a common script, the first B If it is defined that the second script 240 is applied to the object B 234 in the script 230, the second script 240 is called when the first script 230 is executed.
[0066]
At this time, the presence / absence of transmission of object information (in this case, for example, information of the object B) 250 which is information of an object at a given time can be specified with respect to the second script 240 which is a common script. If the second script 240 is called when the first script 230 is executed, the information 250 of the object at the time of calling (in this case, for example, information of the object B) 250 can be transmitted.
[0067]
On the second script side, when the object information 250 is transmitted at the time of calling, the transmitted object information 250 is used as an object to be animated by the second script (common script) 240 (for example, the object D242). ), The second script (common script) 240 is executed, and if the object information 250 is not transmitted, the second script (common script) 240 On the other hand, the second script (common script) 240 is executed using object information or default information defined in the common script.
[0068]
Here, the object information may include at least one of display position, rotation, scale, vertex color, UV offset, texture information, and vertex position information of the object at a given time.
[0069]
Next, a parent-child relationship between objects according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0070]
In the present embodiment, a script describing a procedure for generating an animation image of a plurality of objects can define a parent-child relationship between the objects.
[0071]
When the parent-child relationship is defined here, the animation of the child object is performed accompanying (following) the animation of the parent object. For example, the coordinate axes of the local coordinate system of the child object rotate in accordance with the rotation of the parent object, and the origin of the local coordinate system of the child object moves in accordance with the movement of the representative point of the parent object. If the parent object is scaled by k times, the child object is also scaled by k times.
[0072]
On the other hand, it is not necessary to transmit the information of the parent object to the child object such as the vertex color and the texture information.
[0073]
For example, in the first script 230 of FIG. 2, a parent-child relationship in which the object A232 is a parent and the object B234 and the object C236 are children is defined. In the second script (common script) 240, the object D242 is a parent. It is assumed that a parent-child relationship in which the object E244 is a child is defined.
[0074]
In such a case, if the object information 250 is transmitted when the second script (common script) 240 is called, the transmitted object information 250 is set as an animation target of the second script (common script) 240. The second script (common script) 240 is executed using the object defined as the parent object (object D242 in this case).
[0075]
The animation (for example, movement or rotation) of the object D242, which is the parent object, is generated based on the transmitted object information (for example, transmitted position information, rotation information, and the like).
[0076]
On the other hand, the object E244, which is a child object, moves and rotates accompanying (follows) the object D, which is a parent object. Therefore, the position of the transmitted object information is not directly set as the position of the child object for the child object, so that the object information is not transmitted to the child object in the present embodiment.
[0077]
Next, a root script as an example of the first script in FIGS. 2 and 3 and a specific example of a subscript (common script) as an example of the second script will be described. This will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.
[0078]
In the present embodiment, one long animation is defined as a set of detailed animations called a script, and exactly the same part or part of the long animation is created as a common script.
[0079]
Here, the data structure of the script will be described using a script that is actually used on a computer and rewritten in a form that is easy for humans to understand.
[0080]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the root script.
[0081]
The script is divided into an object arranging unit 510 constituting a scene and an instruction executing unit 520 defining an animation. The root script is a script that defines the arrangement of the entire animation scene and the like.
[0082]
The first to third lines correspond to the object placement unit 510, and the fourth to eleventh lines correspond to the instruction execution unit 520.
[0083]
Here, the first line is a command to draw the object A in a square using the texture A at the coordinate position (0, 120, 0).
[0084]
The second line is an instruction to draw the object B at a coordinate position (−72, −100, 0) using a texture “B”, draw a parallelogram, and have the object A as a parent object.
[0085]
The third line is an instruction to draw the object C in a rectangle using the texture C at the coordinate position (72, -100, 0) and to have the object A as a parent object.
[0086]
The fourth line is an instruction to wait without performing any processing.
[0087]
The fifth line is a command to execute the subscript SubScript to the object B (no information transmission).
[0088]
The sixth line is an instruction to wait without performing any processing.
[0089]
The seventh line is a command to execute the subscript SubScript for the object B (with information transmission).
[0090]
The eighth line is an instruction to wait without performing any processing.
[0091]
The ninth line is an instruction to execute the subscript SubScript on the object C (with information transmission).
[0092]
Line 10 is the end instruction
When the object placement unit (line 1 to 3) 510 of the root script is executed, a screen as shown in FIG. 5 appears.
[0093]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a subscript (common script).
[0094]
A subscript (common script) is a script that defines a common part of the animation of a plurality of different objects.
[0095]
Here, animation data is defined in which one object which is a screen component is turned into two objects and rotated by 180 degrees.
[0096]
The first to second lines correspond to the object placement unit 610, and the third to fifth lines correspond to the instruction execution unit 620.
[0097]
The first line is a command to draw the object D in a square using the texture D at the coordinate position (0, 0, 0).
[0098]
The second line is a command to draw the object E at a coordinate position (0-80, 0) using a texture E, draw a small square, and have the object D as a parent object.
[0099]
The third line is a command to rotate the object D 180 degrees counterclockwise in one minute.
[0100]
The fourth line is an instruction to wait without performing any processing.
[0101]
The fifth line is an end instruction.
[0102]
When the object placement unit (line 1 or 2) of the subscript SubScript is executed, a screen as shown in FIG. 7 appears. When the instruction execution unit (lines 3 to 5) of the subscript SubScript is executed, animations such as 711 to 715 in FIG. 8 are reproduced.
[0103]
FIG. 9 is a screen example when the subscript SubScript is reproduced without transmitting the object information of the object B to the object B in the root script.
[0104]
Root script RootScript: When lines 5 to 6 (see FIG. 4) are executed, animations such as 721 to 726 are reproduced. Here, since there is no transmission of object information, an animation image is generated by using object information (refer to the second and third lines in FIG. 6) on the objects D and E, which are object information included in the subscript (common script). Is reproduced (see 730 in FIG. 9).
[0105]
FIG. 10 is a screen example when the object information of the object B is transmitted to the object B in the root script and the subscript SubScript is reproduced.
[0106]
Root script RootScript: When lines 7 to 8 (see FIG. 4) are executed, animations such as 741 to 746 are reproduced. Here, since the object information is transmitted, for the object D defined as the parent object in the subscript, the object information about the object B which is the object information of the root script (see the second line in FIG. 4). ) Is played back (see 750 in FIG. 9).
[0107]
However, for the object E defined as a child object in the subscript, an animation image is created using object information (see the second line in FIG. 6) on the object E, which is object information possessed by the subscript (common script). Is reproduced (see 752 in FIG. 9).
[0108]
FIG. 11 is an example of a screen when the object information of the object C is transmitted to the object C in the root script and the subscript SubScript is reproduced.
[0109]
Root script RootScript: When lines 9 to 10 (see FIG. 4) are executed, animations such as 761 to 766 are reproduced. Here, since the object information is transmitted, for the object D defined as the parent object in the subscript, the object information about the object C which is the object information of the root script (see the third line in FIG. 4). ) Is played back (see 770 in FIG. 9).
[0110]
However, for the object E defined as a child object in the subscript, an animation image is created using object information (see the second line in FIG. 6) on the object E, which is object information possessed by the subscript (common script). Is reproduced (see 772 in FIG. 9).
[0111]
In this way, by reusing the common script, the workload of creating and editing animation data can be reduced.
[0112]
FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing an example of a series of two-dimensional animations of objects (menu display items such as buttons and texts) configuring a menu screen of a game using the script according to the present embodiment.
[0113]
810, 810 'are menu screens having three buttons 812, 814, 816 or three buttons 812', 814 ', 816', 810 is a menu screen image before animation reproduction, and 810 'is animation It is an image of a menu screen after reproduction.
[0114]
Each of the three buttons 812, 814, 816 or the three buttons 812 ', 814', 816 'has a different texture, and when the user focuses on each button, the animation becomes darker with the vertex color. Is performed.
[0115]
To do this, a common script is created for a plurality of objects (buttons 812, 814, 816) that darken the vertices, and when each button has focus, this common script is assigned to each button (object). Apply in a script.
[0116]
At this time, if it is not desired to change the texture of each button (object), for example, the buttons 812 → 812 ′ and 814 → 814 ′, when the common script is reproduced, the information of the original object is reproduced. Propagate to the script object.
[0117]
The animation for the button 816 to be darkened at the vertex color when the focus is on is the same as the other buttons. However, when it is desired to use a common script as a texture of a button (object) such as a button 816 → 816 ′, when reproducing the common script, the information of the original object should not be transmitted to the object of the common script to be reproduced. Good to do.
[0118]
3. Hardware configuration
Next, an example of a hardware configuration that can realize the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0119]
The main processor 900 operates based on a program stored in a CD 982 (information storage medium), a program transferred via a communication interface 990, or a program stored in a ROM 950 (one of information storage media), and the like. Various processes such as processing, image processing, and sound processing are executed.
[0120]
The coprocessor 902 assists the processing of the main processor 900, has a multiply-accumulate unit or a divider capable of high-speed parallel operation, and executes a matrix operation (vector operation) at high speed. For example, when a process such as a matrix operation is required for a physical simulation for moving or moving an object (motion), a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs the coprocessor 902 to perform the process (request ).
[0121]
The geometry processor 904 performs geometry processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, light source calculation, and curved surface generation. The geometry processor 904 includes a multiply-accumulator and a divider capable of high-speed parallel computation, and performs matrix computation (vector computation). Run fast. For example, when performing processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, and light source calculation, a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs the geometry processor 904 to perform the processing.
[0122]
The data decompression processor 906 performs a decoding process for decompressing the compressed image data and sound data, and performs a process for accelerating the decoding process of the main processor 900. Thus, a moving image compressed by a given image compression method can be displayed on an opening screen, an intermission screen, an ending screen, a game screen, or the like. Note that image data and sound data to be decoded are stored in the ROM 950 and the CD 982 or transferred from the outside via the communication interface 990.
[0123]
The drawing processor 910 executes a high-speed drawing (rendering) process of an object composed of primitive surfaces such as polygons and curved surfaces. When drawing an object, the main processor 900 uses the function of the DMA controller 970 to transfer the object data to the drawing processor 910 and, if necessary, transfer the texture to the texture storage unit 924. Then, the drawing processor 910 draws the object in the frame buffer 922 at high speed while performing hidden surface removal using a Z buffer or the like based on the object data and the texture. The drawing processor 910 can also perform α blending (translucent processing), depth queuing, mip mapping, fog processing, bilinear filtering, trilinear filtering, anti-aliasing, shading processing, and the like. Then, when an image for one frame is written to the frame buffer 922, the image is displayed on the display 912.
[0124]
The sound processor 930 includes a multi-channel ADPCM sound source and the like, and generates high-quality game sounds such as BGM, sound effects, and voice. The generated game sound is output from the speaker 932.
[0125]
Operation data from the game controller 942, save data and personal data from the memory card 944 are transferred via the serial interface 940.
[0126]
The ROM 950 stores a system program and the like. In the case of an arcade game system, the ROM 950 functions as an information storage medium, and various programs are stored in the ROM 950. Note that a hard disk may be used instead of the ROM 950.
[0127]
The RAM 960 is used as a work area for various processors.
[0128]
The DMA controller 970 controls DMA transfer between a processor and a memory (RAM, VRAM, ROM, etc.).
[0129]
The CD drive 980 drives a CD 982 (information storage medium) that stores programs, image data, sound data, and the like, and enables access to these programs and data.
[0130]
The communication interface 990 is an interface for performing data transfer with the outside via a network. In this case, a network connected to the communication interface 990 may be a communication line (analog telephone line, ISDN), a high-speed serial bus, or the like. Then, data can be transferred via the Internet by using a communication line. Further, by using the high-speed serial bus, it is possible to transfer data between another game system and another game system.
[0131]
Each unit of the present invention may be entirely executed by hardware alone, or may be executed only by a program stored in an information storage medium or a program distributed via a communication interface. Alternatively, it may be executed by both hardware and a program.
[0132]
When each means of the present invention is executed by both hardware and a program, a program for executing each means of the present invention using hardware is stored in the information storage medium. Become. More specifically, the program instructs the processors 902, 904, 906, 910, 930, etc., which are hardware, to perform processing, and passes data if necessary. Then, each of the processors 902, 904, 906, 910, 930, etc. executes each unit of the present invention based on the instruction and the passed data.
[0133]
FIG. 14A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102, the button 1104, and the like while watching the game image projected on the display 1100. Various processors, various memories, and the like are mounted on a built-in system board (circuit board) 1106. Information (program or data) for executing each unit of the present invention is stored in a memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on the system board 1106. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.
[0134]
FIG. 14B shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while watching the game image projected on the display 1200. In this case, the stored information is stored in a CD 1206 or a memory card 1208, 1209, which is an information storage medium detachable from the main system.
[0135]
FIG. 14C shows a host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected to the host device 1300 via a network 1302 (small network such as LAN or wide area network such as the Internet). An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a system including In this case, the storage information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300. If the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n are capable of generating a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, a game program for generating a game image and a game sound is output from the host device 1300 to the terminal 1304-n. 1 to 1304 -n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated stand-alone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and game sound, transmits them to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n, and outputs them at the terminals.
[0136]
In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 14C, each unit of the present invention may be executed in a distributed manner between a host device (server) and a terminal. Further, the storage information for executing each means of the present invention may be stored separately in an information storage medium of a host device (server) and an information storage medium of a terminal.
[0137]
The terminal connected to the network may be a home game system or an arcade game system. When the arcade game system is connected to a network, a save information storage device capable of exchanging information with the arcade game system and exchanging information with the home game system. (Memory card, portable game device) is desirable.
[0138]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made.
[0139]
For example, in the invention according to the dependent claims, a part of the constituent elements of the dependent claim may be omitted. In addition, a main part of the invention according to one independent claim of the present invention can be made dependent on another independent claim.
[0140]
The present invention can be applied to various games (fighting games, shooting games, robot battle games, sports games, competition games, role playing games, music playing games, dance games, etc.).
[0141]
Further, the present invention can be applied to various game systems such as a business game system, a home game system, a large attraction system in which many players participate, a simulator, a multimedia terminal, and a system board for generating a game image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an example of a functional block diagram of an image generation system (for example, a game system) according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a script according to the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing reproduction (execution) of a script in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a route script.
FIG. 5 is a screen when an object placement unit of a root script is executed.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a subscript (common script).
FIG. 7 is a screen when the object placement unit (line 1 to line 2) of the subscript SubScript is executed.
FIG. 8 is a diagram when an instruction execution unit of a subscript SubScript is executed.
FIG. 9 is a screen example when a subscript SubScript is reproduced without transmitting object information of the object B to the object B in the root script.
FIG. 10 is an example of a screen when the object information of the object B is transmitted to the object B in the root script and the subscript SubScript is reproduced.
FIG. 11 is a screen example when the object information of the object C is transmitted to the object C in the root script and the subscript SubScript is reproduced.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of a series of two-dimensional animations of objects (menu display items such as buttons and texts) constituting a menu screen of a game using the script of the present embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.
FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C are diagrams showing examples of various types of systems to which the present embodiment is applied;
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Image generation system
100 processing unit
110 Game processing unit
120 Script execution processing unit
130 Image generation unit
150 sound generator
160 operation unit
170 storage unit
172 main memory
174 frame buffer
180 Information storage medium
182 Script information storage unit
190 Display
192 sound output section
194 Portable information storage device
196 Communication Department

Claims (14)

An image generation system,
A procedure for generating a series of animation images of an object is defined as a set of computer-executable scripts, and a common animation applied to different objects can be used commonly for different objects. Script information means for storing information of a plurality of scripts including a common script defined as a script,
A script execution unit for calling and executing a common script defined corresponding to the common animation when causing a given object to perform a common animation;
Image generation means for generating a series of animation images of the object based on the execution result of the script execution means,
The script execution means,
Means for transmitting object information of an object at a given time to the common script at the time of calling the common script;
If the object information is transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed using the object information transmitted to the object to be animated in the common script,
If the object information is not transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is created using the object information or default information defined in the common script for the object to be animated in the common script. Means for executing the image. In claim 1,
The script information storage means,
For a common script describing a procedure for generating animation images of a plurality of objects, storing script information of the common script in which a parent-child relationship is defined between the objects,
The script execution means,
If the object information is transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed by using the transmitted object information for an object defined as a parent object to be animated in the common script. An image generation system characterized by the following. In any one of claims 1 and 2,
The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the object information includes at least one of display position, rotation, scale, vertex color, UV offset, texture information, and vertex position information of the object at a given time. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
A procedure for generating a series of two-dimensional animation images of objects constituting a game menu screen is defined as a set of a plurality of computer-executable scripts, and the defined script is read and executed to execute the menu of the game. An image generation system for generating an image. An animation generation method,
A procedure for generating a series of animation images of an object is defined as a set of computer-executable scripts, and a common animation applied to different objects can be used commonly for different objects. A script creation step for creating a script including a common script defined as a script;
A script execution step of calling and executing a common script defined corresponding to the common animation when a given object is to perform a common animation;
Generating a series of animated images of the object based on the execution result of the script execution step,
The script execution step includes:
Transmitting the object information of the object at a given time to the common script at the time of calling the common script;
If the object information is transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed using the object information transmitted to the object to be animated in the common script,
If the object information is not transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is created using the object information or default information defined in the common script for the object to be animated in the common script. Executing the animation. In claim 5,
In the script creating step,
For a common script describing a procedure for generating an animation image of a plurality of objects, information of the common script in which a parent-child relationship is defined between the objects is stored,
In the script execution step,
If the object information is transmitted at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed by using the transmitted object information for an object defined as a parent object to be animated in the common script. An animation generation method characterized by the following. In any one of claims 5 and 6,
The animation generation method, wherein the object information includes at least one of display position, rotation, scale, vertex color, UV offset, texture information, and vertex position information of the object at a given time. In any one of claims 5 to 7,
A procedure for generating a series of two-dimensional animation images of objects constituting a game menu screen is defined as a set of a plurality of computer-executable scripts, and the defined script is read and executed to execute the menu of the game. An animation generation method characterized by generating an image. An animation generation script that defines a procedure for generating a series of animation images of an object as a set of a plurality of computer-executable scripts,
Common animations that apply commonly to different objects are defined as scripts that can be used commonly for different objects,
If a given object is to perform a common animation, it is defined to use a common script defined corresponding to the common animation,
An animation generation script characterized in that when the common script is called, the object information of the object at a given time is transmitted to the common script so that the object information is transmitted. In claim 9,
For a common script that describes the procedure for generating animated images of multiple objects, a parent-child relationship is defined between the objects,
When receiving the object information at the time of calling the common script, the common script is executed by using the transmitted object information for an object defined as a parent object to be animated in the common script. An animation generation script characterized by being defined. In any one of claims 9 to 10,
The animation generation script, wherein the object information includes at least one of display position, rotation, scale, vertex color, UV offset, texture information, and vertex position information of the object at a given time. In any one of claims 9 to 11,
An animation generation script, wherein a procedure for generating a series of two-dimensional animation images of objects constituting a menu screen of a game is defined. A computer-readable information storage medium storing the script according to claim 9. A method for generating a script for generating the script according to claim 9.

Images