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Abstract

This thesis discusses methods that use information contained in a motion
capture database to assist in the creation of a realistic character animation.
Starting with an animation sketch, where only a small number of keyframes for
some degrees of freedom are set, the motion capture data is used to improve the
initial motion quality. First, the multiresolution filtering technique is
presented and it is shown how this method can be used as a building block for
character animation. Then, the hierarchical fragment method is introduced,
which uses signal processing techniques, the skeleton hierarchy information and
a simple matching algorithm applied to data fragments to synthesize missing
degrees of freedom in a character animation, from a motion capture database. In
a third technique, a principal component model is fitted to the motion capture
database and it is demonstrated that using the motion principle components a
character animation can be edited and enhanced after it has been created. After
comparing these methods, a hybrid approach combining the individual technique s
advantages is proposed, which uses a pipeline in order to create the character
animation in a simple and intuitive way. Finally, the methods and results are
reviewed and approaches for future improvements are mentioned.