| While natural looking joints are possible with current skinning algorithms for character animation, the modeling of real-time musculature is still in its infancy. While they are able to produce realistic results, techniques that model muscles with great anatomical accuracy or that use high density mass-spring systems are computationally expensive and mostly suitable for offline use. The layered approach functionally separates algorithmic components responsible for modeling skeleton, musculature, and skin. In this thesis, we propose a skinning algorithm based on the layered approach. Our algorithm models musculature using a physics-based method that is both visually effective and fast. It captures four elements that are key to creating realistic musculature: flexure, volume preservation, inertia, and gravity. At the same time, our algorithm is able to achieve real-time frame rates. It is implemented in a stand-alone application and it has been integrated into the character animation system developed by Haptek, Inc. |
