Here we present a unique approach to building a highly-scalable, multi-functional, and production-friendly feature animation pipeline on a core infrastructure comprised of microservices. We discuss basic service layer design as well as the benefits and challenges of moving decades-old production…

We present techniques to selectively and dynamically detect and smooth folds in a cloth mesh after simulation. This gives artists the controls to emphasize or de-emphasize certain folds, cleanup simulation errors that can cause crumpled cloth, and resolve clothbody interpenetrations…

For Kung Fu Panda 3 we produced an alternate version reanimated with Mandarin dialog, the first of its kind. This presented unique production challenges for both DreamWorks Animation (DWA) and Oriental DreamWorks (ODW), as each has their own pipeline and…

We present a hybrid direct and projective iterative algorithm for simulating hair. The algorithm is fast, stable, visually accurate, uses a comprehensive elasticity model with a well defined continuum limit. The low resolution simulation is a good predictor of higher…

On Penguins of Madagascar, we had the unique challenge of rigging several octopus characters to antagonize our heroes. Unlike normal octopuses, they spend most of their time on land, and had to be able to scurry around, operate machinery, and…

Fluid simulation is often used to create dust, smoke or ground explosion in visual effects. In some cases, dust contains colors according to ground condition. It makes dust shading more realistic and accurate to the ground color. In this talk,…

We present techniques to dynamically control hair interpolation. This can be used to produce art directable hair shapes, to procedurally clump hair to create rich looking animated hair shapes, and to resolve interpolated render hair collisions with mesh geometry. Research…

We present techniques to smash render hair under hats and headsets in animated shots that produce significant savings in time and disk space. Techniques are discussed to smash both the fine render hairs and the Level of Detail (LOD) hairs…

The villain of Kung Fu Panda 3 has a penchant for chains. In addition to the links adorning his belt, he uses long chains, attached to a pair of wide bladed swords, to control or destroy the environments that he…

In the animated movie HOME, the Boov, an alien species, have a unique way of displaying their emotions. They transition to a specific color depending on their mood: red when angry, yellow when scared, blue when sad, etc. This talk…