Character animation

Engines, Libraries and Tools Java 3D
#1

Hi All,

I don’t know know what most of you are doing about character animation, but you might like to know that I have a Java rewrite of Cal3d which is widely used in the C world. It supports blending between animation cycles (chew gum and walk!) and has a simple cloth animation system as well. At the moment it’s pure Java but seems to run fast enough - I’m planning on a small native kernel if it gets too slow.

Have a look at [url]www.shortfuze.co.uk/template/Fuze3D,Cal3D.vm[/url for a little more detail. I haven’t posted a release yet as it is still buggy but if anyone wants to give it a try just let me know.

Dave

#2

So is there any demo we can download ? And what 3d data formats can your api read to extract anim data ?

#3

Have always been a fan of Cal3D and like to see the java version. When are you you releasing this?
tomcat

#4

The Java version is mostly working. It is a little slow (on my Athlon 2600 with a fast graphics card 20+ characters reduces performance to less than 10fps) so I’m investigating moving the core skinning code back into native code (preferably vectorised) - though another possibility is to use OpenGL vertex programs to do the job which might be quite elegant!

I’m also a version out of step with Cal3d now as I started just before 0.9 came out so no morphing yet.

I’m putting together a demo at the moment but if you want to play with the raw classes just let me know. I’ve just converted the core functions of OpenSteer for a demo as I want some semi-intelligent crowds. I’m hoping to get this working by the end of the week but that depends on how much work intrudes as usual :wink:

If all goes well I’m aiming for a proper release towards the end of February.

#5

I forgot to answer zingbat’s Q:

[quote]And what 3d data formats can your api read to extract anim data ?
[/quote]
Cal3d uses its own format - separate files for the skeleton, meshes, and materials. It comes with exporters for 3DS Max and Milkshape3D. It’s a little tedious having separate files for each mesh but does let you do cool things like change the way yr character is dressed easily or just use one skeleton and animation set with lots of different skins.

#6

[quote]I’m putting together a demo at the moment but if you want to play with the raw classes just let me know
[/quote]
like to play with what you got to see how it works in Java. do i have to create my own character or do you have one i can use?
thanx,tomcat

#7

[quote]like to play with what you got to see how it works in Java. do i have to create my own character or do you have one i can use?
[/quote]
I’ll try to put something up for you to d/l by the end of the week - busy Wed and Thur so have to be Fri. I’ll also put up the minor variant I’ve made of the standard Cally model (just a different version of the configuration file that I’ve been lazy and used Java properties for!)

Cheers,
Dave

#8

[quote]I’ll try to put something up for you to d/l by the end of the week
[/quote]
Thanx David, look forward to it.
tomcat

#9

Hi David,

[quote]I’ll try to put something up for you to d/l by the end of the week - busy Wed and Thur so have to be Fri.
[/quote]
Any luck with this ???

tomcat

#10

I am waiting for it as well, this would be very useful for my project which needs to be completed soon.

#11

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay - we’re in the middle of moving our server so can’t put it up right at the moment. ETA public download probably Tue/Wed now. However if you email me on dave at chaos dot org dot uk I’ll email you the jar files direct.

As an added bonus it will include the preliminary port of OpenSteer opensteer.sourceforge.net which provides simple steering, path following, flocking and avoidance behaviour for character movement. I have a simple demo that includes a load of callys wandering around and avoiding each other. Still very crude as yet tho.

Cheers,
Dave

#12

Thanx, replied to your email account.
tomcat