JP3308011B2 - Animation creation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[Table of Contents] The present invention will be described in the following order. Industrial application Conventional technology (FIG. 9) Problems to be solved by the invention (FIG. 9) Means for solving the problems (FIGS. 1, 4 and 6) Operation (FIGS. 1, 4 and 6) Example (1) Overall configuration (FIG. 1) (2) Overall processing (FIGS. 1 and 2) (3) Display of drawing screen (FIGS. 3 to 6) (4) Scheduling processing (FIG. 7) (5) ) Creation of background images, etc. (6) Effects of the embodiment (7) Other embodiments (FIG. 8) Effects of the invention

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an animation creating apparatus, for example, when creating an animation using a hand-drawn image, and further creating an animation by combining a hand-drawn image with a moving image created by hand-drawing. Applicable when

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an animation creation process, a cell animation is hand-drawn one by one, and then the cel animation is sequentially superimposed on a background image to shoot, thereby creating an animation animation. Has been made.

That is, in the conventional animation creation process, each scene is separated into a foreground and a background, and a distant still view or the like is assigned to this background and hand-drawn on paper. Further, in the animation creation process, the foreground of each scene is assigned to the background and front cell images in accordance with the positional relationship between characters and the like appearing in each scene. This cell image is created by superimposing a transparent film on an original image created in advance, and then coloring the transparent film based on the original image.

[0005] Therefore, in this type of animation creation process, an original picture is created by pencil writing in units of one frame or several frames in accordance with the movement of characters previously assigned to each cell image by the creator. . Thereby, in the animation creation process, the image of each frame is created by sequentially overlaying the foreground cell image on the predetermined background from the background side,
By shooting this image one frame at a time, a moving image in which characters and the like represented in a cell image move sequentially is created.

At this time, in the case of a cell image, when the moving image is actually completed as a moving image, the motion of the character assigned to the cell image is created in units of one frame or several frames so that the motion is smoothly expressed. Are arranged such that original images of cell images to which the same character is assigned are overlapped with each other to check the movement.

[0009] That is, as shown in FIG. 9, in the animation creation process, when an original image is created in this way, the original images BA to BN created so far are superimposed on the original image G currently being created, and from the background side. The originals BA to BN and G are illuminated by a predetermined illuminating means L and observed. In this way, it is possible to imagine the movement of the character assigned to the original images BA to BN, G, thereby estimating the movement of the character and drawing, for example, a drawing line LIN with a predetermined writing implement P to draw the original image G. Has been made to create smooth movements.

[0008]

As described above, in the conventional animation creation process of creating a single cell image one by one, an enormous amount of time and labor are required as a whole by relying on manual operations from the original image creation. There is a drawback, and in recent years, computers have been used to simplify animation creation work.

That is, in this type of animation creation process, an image is roughly created in units of several frames, and an image between frames of the image (that is, an intermediate image) is applied by a so-called interpolation calculation method. It has been proposed to create a computer. In addition, in the animation creation process using this type of computer, a method of adding color to the separately input original image on the computer,
Further, there has been proposed a method of using a computer for managing the output of completed animations, sound adjustment, and shooting of cel images.

In the case where the original picture is taken into a computer and colored, a cell picture is not required, and the entire operation can be simplified accordingly. In addition, by applying the computer to the output of animation, sound matching, and shooting of cell images, the film shooting process can be skipped and recorded directly on videotape, simplifying the entire work. it can.

However, in the case where the computer is applied as described above, in each case, the original picture handwritten by the creator with a pencil is taken by a video camera and taken into the computer. For this reason, when processing and importing images to the computer, noise may occur around the lines of the original image, and it is necessary to separately correct the lines of the original image imported to the computer, and to remove the noise become.

Further, in any of the methods, since the original image itself must be hand-painted, the motion of the original image itself can be determined only by overlapping and seeing through. In this case, the original image is written on paper. There is a limit on the number of frames that can be seen through, and when the number of frames increases, there is also a disadvantage that the entire movement cannot be determined. For this reason, it was necessary to estimate the movement by flipping through many overlapping original pictures, and ultimately the creation of the original picture had the disadvantage of relying on experience and intuition.
Another drawback is that it is difficult to determine the relationship between each original image and the background while the background is separately drawn on paper.

Therefore, even when a computer is used, the conventional animation creation method has a problem that the operation is complicated and time-consuming.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to propose an animation creating apparatus which can further simplify the animation creating operation as compared with the related art.

[0015]

Further, in the present invention, a memory means 6 for storing a series of original pictures B created and a background picture H corresponding to the original pictures B, and an arbitrary number of the series of original pictures B are combined to produce an arbitrary number. A reference image creating unit 2 for creating a reference image S that looks like a watermark by overlapping a number of original images B, a synthetic image creating unit 2 for combining the reference image S and a background image H corresponding to the reference image S, Composite image display means 2 and 5 for displaying the image M, and original image input means 2, 3 and 4 for drawing an original image G to be newly created on the composite image M displayed on the composite image display means 2 and 5
The composite image display means 2 and 5 compress the color gradation of the background image H and display it in a light color.

Further, in the present invention, in the simulation mode, an arbitrary number of the original images B stored in the memory means 6 are sequentially displayed.

[0018]

[0019]

Further, when displaying the reference image S and the original image being created or sequentially displaying a series of original images B, the background image H is assigned to the background of the reference image S or the series of original images B and displayed. By compressing the gradation of the background image H and displaying it in a light color, the relationship with the background can also be confirmed.

[0021]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.

(1) Overall Configuration In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an animation creation device as a whole, and a central processing unit (CPU) as an arithmetic device;
By executing predetermined processing in an engineering work station (EWS) 2 formed of a ROM serving as a storage area of a system program and a RAM serving as a data storage area, animations can be sequentially created.

That is, in the EWS 2, the operation is switched according to a command input through the keyboard 3 and the mouse 4 as input devices, and line drawing data can be input. At this time, the CRT 5 as a monitor device is used. The animation creation work can be monitored.

Further, in the EWS 2, an image such as a background stored in a video storage device (for example, a digital disk recorder) 6 can be displayed on a CRT 5 together with a cursor, whereby the background and / or the original image created so far can be displayed. An original image or the like can be created by operating the mouse 4 while referring to the image. The created original image is directly stored in the video storage device 6, and if necessary, the original image is colored with a color corresponding to a cell image. It is stored in the video storage device 6.

For this reason, in the video storage device 6, an image such as a background created separately can be stored in advance via the imaging means, and a background image created separately by the EWS 2 can be stored in advance. ing. Thus, in the animation creating apparatus 1, the user can operate the keyboard 3 or the mouse 4 while referring to the background and / or the original picture created up to that time via the CRT 5 to overlap the original picture and see the movement by seeing through. Made like
In this state, the original image can be created by operating the mouse 4 instead of the pencil, and the created original image can be colored again.

(2) Overall Processing In the animation creating apparatus 1, the EWS 2 executes the processing procedure shown in FIG. 2 to execute the animation creating processing. That is, when the EWS 2 starts the animation creation processing procedure, it proceeds from step SP1 to step SP1.
Then, the process waits for an input by operating the keyboard 3 or the mouse 4.

Here, when the operator operates the keyboard 3 to input a predetermined command, or when the operator operates the mouse 4 and clicks on the menu displayed on the CRT 5, the EWS 2 moves to step SP3, where the input to the drawing screen is made. Determine whether it is a command. Here, the drawing screen is displayed by moving the cursor on the CRT 5 by operating the mouse 4 by the operator, or by selecting a menu such as a circle or a line segment and specifying the position on the CRT 5 by the operator. A screen for creating an image represented by a drawing line such as a moving locus, a circle segment, etc.
In, the drawing screen is sequentially updated to create an original picture.

If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP3, the EWS 2 proceeds to step SP4, in which the operator displays a moving trajectory of the cursor, a drawing line such as a circle segment in accordance with the input on the creation screen, and then displays the drawing in step SP2. Return. Thus, in the animation creating apparatus 1, the processing loop LOO of the steps SP2-SP3-SP4-SP2 is performed.
P1 can be repeated as needed to create one original image, and the created original image is stored in the video storage device 6 as necessary, and after coloring, stored in the video storage device 6 and continued. It is made so that an original picture can be created.

Therefore, in this embodiment, since the original image can be created by directly inputting the drawing lines, it is possible to effectively avoid the disturbance of the edge when the original image is photographed and taken in as in the prior art. Animations can be easily created.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP3, step SP5 is executed in EWS2.
Then, it is determined whether or not the command is a reference image reading command. Here, the reference image is an image obtained by superimposing the original image created in the past and seeing through. In the case of this embodiment, the reference image is synthesized by combining the original image created in the past in response to a user operation subsequently input. Have been made to create.

When the read command for the reference image is input, a positive result is obtained in step SP5, and the EWS 2 moves to step SP6. Here, the EWS 2 displays this reference image on the CRT 5 as the background of the creation screen, thereby displaying the reference image specified by the operator on the creation screen, and then returns to step SP2. As a result, in the animation creating apparatus 1,
If necessary, display this reference image on the creation screen and loop L
An original image can be created by repeating the process of OOP1, and thereby an original image can be easily created.

Further, in this embodiment, when displaying the reference image on the drawing screen, the EWS 2 reads the background image assigned to the original image being created from the video storage device 6 and displays it on the CRT 5 as the background. It has been done. Thus, the operator can easily understand the relationship with the background when creating the original image, and the animation creation device 1 can simplify the animation creation work accordingly.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP5, the EWS2 proceeds to step SP7,
It is determined whether or not one original image has been drawn. Here, if the operator inputs a predetermined command indicating that one original image has been drawn, a positive result is obtained in EWS2, so that the process proceeds to step SP8, and the image data of the original image created in this manner is converted to the predetermined data. The address is output to the video storage device 6, and the original image created at the frame position designated by the operator is stored. Then, the process returns to step SP2.

Thus, in the animation creating apparatus 1, by repeating the series of processing of step SP2 to step SP8 in the EWS 2, the original images created so far are overlapped and displayed by the required number, and the cursor is displayed on the display screen. Are moved so that original images can be sequentially created. As a result, the operator can overlay and see the desired number of original images as many as desired, and can grasp the movement of the original images much more easily than in the past.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP7, step SP9 is executed in EWS2.
Then, it is determined whether or not a simulation execution command has been input. If the operator interrupts the series of original image creation processing and inputs a simulation execution command, the EWS 2 obtains an affirmative result in step SP9, so that the process proceeds to step SP10, and in accordance with the operator's specification which is subsequently input. Execute the simulation process.

In this simulation processing, the EW
In S2, after temporarily saving the image data for the original image being created, the background image and the original image are sequentially read out from the video storage device 6 by the number of frames specified by the operator, and C is read.
After displaying the animation on RT5, and displaying the animation thus created in the form of a moving image, the process returns to step SP2. As a result, in the animation creating apparatus 1,
If necessary, the movement of the original image created so far can be confirmed in an actual moving image format, whereby the movement of the character can be easily confirmed without depending on experience and intuition.

Therefore, in the animation creating apparatus 1, even an unskilled person can easily create an animation by a simple operation, and can shorten the creating time. Animation creation work can be greatly simplified. On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP9, the process proceeds to step SP11 in the EWS2, where it is determined whether or not the command is a moving image recording command.
Move to P12.

Here, in the EWS 2, the original image stored in the video storage device 6 is synthesized with the background image according to the operator's instruction which is subsequently input, to create a synthesized image.
This composite image is stored in the video storage device 6. As a result, in the EWS 2, the same animation as that obtained by photographing the conventional cell image with the background superimposed thereon is created for each frame, and the process returns to step SP2. In this example,
In the animation creation device 1, when the original image is created on the creation screen, it can be colored at the same time, so that the animation can be created by directly processing the original image and omitting the cell image creation process. In this way, the animation creation work can be simplified accordingly.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP11, step SP11 is executed in EWS2.
13 to determine whether an end command has been input. If a negative result is obtained, the process returns to step SP2 to wait for a subsequent input.
If a negative result is obtained in step, the process moves to step SP14 and ends the processing procedure. Thus, in the animation creating apparatus 1, the processing procedure shown in FIG. 2 is executed in the EWS 2 so that the animation can be created much easier than in the past.

(3) Display of drawing screen In the animation creating apparatus 1, by moving the cursor on the drawing screen and designating the position of a circle, a straight line, or the like, an original picture can be created. This drawing screen is displayed by executing the processing procedure shown in FIG.

That is, in EWS2, step S
The process proceeds from step P20 to step SP21, where the background image corresponding to the original image being created is read out from the video storage device 6 to the RAM, and then the process proceeds to step SP22, where the corresponding reference image file exists in the video storage device 6. It is determined whether or not. Here, for example, in the case of scene change,
Since the movement between the original image created in the past and the original image being created is not continuous, there is no file of the reference image corresponding to the image being created.

Thus, in the EWS2, if a negative result is obtained in step SP22, step SP22 is executed.
The process proceeds to step 23, where only the read background image is displayed on the CRT 5, and the process proceeds to step SP24 to end the processing procedure. As a result, in the animation creating apparatus 1,
Even when there is no reference image, the original image can be created by superimposing the background, and the animation creation operation can be simplified accordingly. On the other hand, if you are creating continuous originals for the same scene,
A positive result is obtained in step SP22, and EWS2
In, the process moves to step SP25.

Here, in the EWS 2, the file of the reference image is read from the video storage device 6 into the RAM, and is displayed on the CRT 5 by superimposing it on the background image in the following step SP26.
In the following step SP24, this processing procedure ends. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the EWS 2, the original image B before coloring that has been created so far is stored in the video storage device 6 for each scene as a file of the reference image, and this series of original images B is synthesized. To create a reference image S.

When displaying the reference image S, in the EWS 2, the background image H is arranged at the lowermost position, and then the reference image S and the original image G, which is a new image being created, are sequentially superimposed and arranged. To create a drawing screen M. For this reason, in the EWS 2, as shown in FIG. 5, a part of the memory space allocated to the RAM is used as the frame memory 10, and the frame memory is formed by a plurality of planes 11. ing.

Thus, in the EWS 2, a predetermined number of the plurality of planes 11 are allocated to the display screen, and the pixels of each plane 11 corresponding to the pixels of the display screen are assigned either the logical "1" or the logical "0". The display image is expressed by expressing it at a logical level. Further, in the EWS, for a plurality of planes assigned to the display image, the color map 16 is searched by using the logical level of the pixel corresponding to each pixel as an address, thereby setting the set of logical levels to the pixel value 15. Thus, a display image is formed with reference to the corresponding color map 16.

For this reason, in the EWS 2, corresponding pixels of each plane 11 are set to a predetermined logical level in accordance with the color selected by the operator, and the color map 16 is set.
In (2), the color tone of each of the color signals R, G, and B (in this case, the corresponding pixel is displayed in green in the color map 16 at the address 9) is set so as to correspond to this logical level. ing. Thus, in the animation producing apparatus 1 simply background picture, original, when only the display each reference picture, is adapted to form a display image by assigning the plurality of plain 11 to each image.

On the other hand, when the background image and the reference image are superimposed on the original image being created, as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of planes 11 are divided into a background image, a reference image and the original image being created. Thus, compared to the case where the background image, the reference image, and the original image are individually displayed, the number of planes assigned to each image is reduced to form a display image. As a result, in the animation creating apparatus 1,
When the background image and the reference image are displayed so as to overlap with the original image being created, the gradation of the background image and the reference image is compressed and displayed.

Further, in the EWS 2, when a background image and a reference image are displayed so as to be superimposed on an original image being created, a display image is formed by referring to a predetermined color map instead of the color map 16 for displaying alone. The color map is selected such that the color tone of the background image and the reference image becomes whiter and paler as a whole as compared with the case where the color tone is displayed alone. In this way, it is possible to observe the original picture by overlaying the original picture as if the original picture was drawn on actual paper and seeing it through, and to grasp the movement of the original picture in the same way as before As a result, even a creator who has been involved in the production of a conventional animation movie can easily input an original image without difficulty.

Thus, in the animation creating apparatus 1, when a continuous original picture is created for the same scene, the original picture created in the past can be created by superimposing the original picture created in the past on the background in the same manner as in the prior art. Thus, an animation can be easily created.

(4) Simulation processing On the other hand, in the simulation, the EWS 2
The movement of the original image can be confirmed by executing the processing procedure shown in FIG. That is, in the EWS 2, when the keyboard 3 or the mouse 4 is operated and the execution command of the simulation is issued, the process proceeds from the step SP30 to the step SP31, where the display position of the image to be simulated on the CRT 5 is input. Subsequently, in EWS2, the process proceeds to step SP32, where it is determined on the basis of the range of the simulation specified by the operator how many times the original picture is to be checked for movement.
As a result, the final value stopn obtained by counting the first original image for starting the simulation from the original image currently being created is set.

Subsequently, in EWS2, step SP
The process then proceeds to step 33, where the currently displayed image is erased for the display position specified in step SP31 to secure the display position of the simulation image, and the process proceeds to step SP34. Here, in the EWS 2, the display count value “number” indicating the number of the original image to be displayed is set to 0 based on the original image for starting the simulation. Then EWS
2, in the following step SP35, the original picture represented by the display count value number is stored in the video storage device 6.
Then, the read original image is displayed at the display position of the simulation image.

Further, in the EWS 2, in a succeeding step SP36, after the background image corresponding to the original image represented by the display count value number is read from the video storage device 6, the background image and the original image are stored in the display position specified in advance. Are displayed in layers. In addition EWS2, followed at step SP3 7, in time for the time waiting for the operator set by measuring the time elapsed predetermined timer, erasing two images being displayed in the subsequent step SP 3 8.

Subsequently, in EWS2, step SP
At 39, after the display count value number is up-counted, the routine proceeds to step SP40, where the up-counted display count value number is set to the final value stop.
It is determined whether the value is greater than the value. If a negative result is obtained, the process returns to step SP35. Thus, in EWS2, steps SP35-SP36-SP37-SP38
Processing loop LOOP of -SP39-SP40-SP35
By repeating Step 2, an original image and an image in which the background is overlapped with the original image are sequentially displayed within the range set by the operator,
When the display count number becomes larger than the final value stopn, a positive result is obtained in step SP40, and the process proceeds to step SP41.

Here, in the EWS 2, after displaying the original image represented by the final value stop at the display position of the simulation image, the process proceeds to step SP42, where the original image (the original image) is displayed at the display position where the background image and the original image are superimposed and displayed. Is displayed, the process proceeds to step SP43, and the processing procedure ends. As a result, in the animation creating apparatus 1, it is possible to confirm the movement of the original picture as if the original picture were flipped over, thereby making it possible to create the animation more easily than before.

At this time, the animation creation device 1
In, not only the original picture but also the original picture is superimposed on the background picture so that the movement of the original picture can be grasped while confirming the relationship between the background picture and the original picture, and animation can be created simply and reliably can do.

(5) Creation of Background Picture, etc. Further, in this embodiment, in the EWS 2, the operation mode is switched to the operation mode of background picture creation by switching the operation mode, and the background picture stored in the video storage device 6 is used. In this way, a background image or the like can be easily created.

That is, in the EWS 2, in the mode for creating the background image and the original image, the file stored in the video storage device 6 is searched in response to the operation of the operator, and the background image or the reference image desired by the operator is displayed on the CRT 5. . At this time, the EWS 2 displays the background image or the reference image at the display position designated by the operator, and then, in response to the operation of the operator, creates a part or all of the background image or the reference image or the background image or the original image being created. Has been made to assign to. The animation creation device 1
In, not only an original image but also a background image can be easily created.

Further, in the EWS 2, in this display state, on the contrary, part or all of the background image or the original image being created can be copied or transferred to the reference image. It is possible to delete part or all of the background image and the original image being created.

Thus, the animation creating apparatus 1 can easily modify the background image and the like already created while examining the image currently being created.

Further, in the EWS 2, a desired original image and a background image can be selected as a reference image instead of a series of original images created in the past. An image captured in the video storage device 6 as a frame can be captured as a reference image. Thus, in the animation creating apparatus 1, each scene and the like can be easily examined during creation, and the usability can be improved accordingly. Thus, in the animation creating apparatus 1, the background image, the reference image, and the like created in this manner can be stored in the video storage device 6.

Further, in the EWS 2, when a background image, an original image, and a reference image are created in this manner, movement and copying can be performed in each image. It is designed to be able to create moving pictures such as falling flowers while being played.

In the EWS 2, when storing a created image in the video storage device 6, an original image created at a predetermined position in a series of animations already created and stored in the video storage device 6 can be inserted. In addition, the image at a predetermined position in the series of animations can be deleted. Further, in the EWS 2, the files stored in the video storage device 6 can be selectively read in a desired order, and the read images are stored in the video storage device 6 as moving images. I have.

Thus, in the animation creating apparatus 1, a series of animations can be easily created by using the animations created so far.

(6) Effects of the Embodiment According to the above configuration, the original images created so far are combined, a series of original images are superimposed to create a reference image that looks like a watermark, and the original image is created on this reference image. By making it possible to create the animation, it is possible to check the movement by overlaying as many originals as necessary, thereby simplifying the animation creation work as compared with the related art.

Further, by executing a simulation as needed and sequentially displaying a series of original images, it is possible to easily grasp the movement and directly input the original images.
Correction work or the like at the time of inputting the original image can be simplified, and animation creation work can be further simplified as compared with the conventional art.

(7) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a plane of one frame memory is divided into a background image, a reference image, and the like to form a creation screen. However, the creation screen may be formed by allocating the frame memories 17A to 17C to each of the new image G including the original image, the reference image S, and the background image H as shown in FIG.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which an animation creation device is formed by connecting a digital digital recorder to an engineering work station. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to various image processing devices. The present invention can be widely applied to a case where a video storage device is connected to form an animation creating device.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention, when displaying a reference image and an original image being created, or when sequentially displaying a series of original images, a background image is assigned to the background of a reference image or a series of original images. At this time, by compressing the gradation of the background image and displaying it in pale colors, the relationship with the background can also be confirmed, and thus the animation creation work can be further simplified compared to the past. Thus, an animation creation device capable of performing the above can be obtained.

Further, if necessary, a simulation is executed to successively switch and display a series of original images.
Since the movement can be easily grasped and the original image can be directly input, the correction work or the like at the time of inputting the original image can be simplified, and the animation creation work can be further simplified as compared with the conventional art. An animation creating device can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an animation creating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the entire processing.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the creation of the drawing screen.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining creation of a drawing screen;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining display of the drawing screen.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram used to explain the allocation of a frame memory.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a simulation process;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a conventional animation creation operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Animation creation device, 2 ... Engineering work station, 3 ... Keyboard, 4 ... Mouse, 5 ... CRT, 6 ... Video storage device.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A memory means for storing a series of created original images and a background image corresponding to the original images, and an arbitrary number of the original images in the series of the original images are combined so as to overlap the arbitrary number of the original images. Reference image creating means for creating a reference image as seen through a watermark, synthetic image creating means for combining the reference image and the background image corresponding to the reference image, and synthetic image display means for displaying the synthetic image And an original image input unit for drawing an original image newly created on the composite image displayed by the composite image display unit. The composite image display unit compresses the color gradation of the background image. An animation creation device characterized by displaying in pale colors. 2. An animation creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the simulation mode, an arbitrary number of said series of original images stored in said memory means are sequentially displayed.