Available Technology
Method to fabricate articulated characters from skinned meshes
Technology:
Fabrication method
Markets Addressed
Enables users to generate articulated figures, such as posable toys, based on their own custom design. Takes advantage of two key technology trends: the proliferation of low-cost animation tools such as Maya, 3D Studio Max, Blender or Rhino, as well as the declining cost, increasing functionality and proliferation of 3D printers. Exports data from industry-standard animation tools in the COLLADA data exchange format and generates a data output that can be sent to a conventional 3D printer to fabricate articulated figures.
The essence of the IP encompasses:
a) Transforming a skinned mesh model of a character into a rigid segmented model of the character.
b) Automatically inserting mechanical joints into a CAD model (e.g., the rigid segment character model from (a)) and subsequent optimization of the joints for manufacture, using a process such as 3D printing.
Innovations and Advantages
Additional Information
Intellectual Property Status: Patent(s) pending
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Inventor(s):
Baecher, Moritz Niklaus
Bickel, Bernd
James, Doug L.
Pfister, Hanspeter
Categories:
For further information, please contact:
Sam Liss, Director of Business Development
(617) 495-4371
Reference Harvard Case #4549