A sketch interface to empower novices to create 3D animations

Abstract

We introduce a multiple‐pass sketch‐based user interface, designed for novice users, which avoids spatial ambiguities and hence allows considerable freedom in creating 3D animations. The user first draws the path along which a character or object is to move. A vertical motion window is then erected along this path, on which the user specifies the character's gestures or the object's vertical movements. A further cross‐motion window can be used to add detail to the movements of the object. Window‐specific camera modules present the user with appropriate views, extending the fluidity of pencil and paper to 3D. A usability study involving 60 users, who were previously unfamiliar with 3D animation tools, demonstrated that the proposed interface is easy to learn and effective in use.