Object-oriented computer animation

Abstract

The authors used the object-oriented paradigm to design and create the 3D computer graphics animation system OSCAR, the Object-oriented SCene AnimatoR. After a review of object-oriented terminology, they describe a design methodology, system architecture, and implementation strategy for animation systems. A short example illustrates the system. It was observed that applying the data abstraction process to animation produces a natural user interface with familiar terminology. The abstraction step of the design is critical and requires the most effort. It was also noted that the object-oriented approach partitions a complex system into manageable pieces.