Atmospheric effects simulation
US6100892A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T15/10
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The motion of particles such as snow is simulated in a computer generated image which represents the appearance from a predetermined viewing point of a three-dimensional worldspace through which the particles move. A three-dimensional model is defined which is made up from a regular array of abutting cubes of predetermined dimension. An object is defined which dimensions correspond to the dimensions of each cube, the object having characteristics such that it represents the motion of particles through the volume which it occupies. The three-dimensional model made up of the array of cubes is notionally positioned in worldspace such that the viewing point is located within a region of the model selected such that the field of view of particles from the viewing point is always within the model. As the viewing point travels through worldspace, it is translated in steps with the magnitude of each step corresponding to the length of any one side of the cubes. The model is moved in worldspace so as to maintain the viewing point within the selected region of the model. The image which is generated includes the model in which the object representing the moving particles occupies each of the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.