Department of Computer & Information Science

Center for Human Modeling and Simulation

TITLE:
The EMOTE Model for Effort and Shape

AUTHOR(S):
Diane M. Chi, University of Pennsylvania
Monica Costa, University of Pennsylvania
Liwei Zhao, University of Pennsylvania
Norman I. Badler, University of Pennsylvania

DOCUMENT TYPE: Conference Paper

ABSTRACT:
Human movements include limb gestures and postural attitude. Although many computer animation researchers have studied these classes of movements, procedurally generated movements still lack naturalness. We argue that looking only at the psychological notion of gesture is insufficient to capture movement qualities needed by animated characters. We advocate that the domain of movement observation science, specifically Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and its Effort and Shape components, provides us with valuable parameters for the form and execution of qualitative aspects of movements. Inspired by some tenets shared among LMA proponents, we also point out that Effort and Shape phrasing across movements and the engagement of the whole body are essential aspects to be considered in the search for naturalness in procedurally generated gestures. Finally, we present EMOTE (Expressive MOTion Engine), a 3D character animation system that applies Effort and Shape qualities to independently defined underlying movements and thereby generates more natural synthetic gestures.

KEYWORDS: animation systems, expression, gestures, human body simulation, procedural modeling

DATE POSTED: 18 July 2007