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Model animation rendering techniques

Started by deffer May 17, 2006 at 5:07 PM 4 replies 750+ views

Original Post

May 17, 2006 at 5:07 PM

Good day. I want to implement a loader + animator for some model format. I think formats are pretty exchangable (as there are many converters around), but if not - what model format would you recommend? Also: I have already implemented a loader+animator+renderer for 3D models some time ago, but it was targeted for older HW (all calculations were done in software). Now, that I got myself a brand-new PC (SM 3.0), I do not even know where to start. What techniques can I exploit with such capabilities? I imagine it would be "animating purely on the GPU", but I don't know much details...

DXnut

May 17, 2006 at 6:23 PM

The ONLY animation thing done on the GPU for a skinned mesh, is the Vertex Shader calculation of the world transformation matrix for the vertices of each bone. If you look at the MultiAnimation sample in the SDK, you will see that it renders the mesh 4 ways, and only one uses the GPU for this.

deffer

Author

deffer

May 17, 2006 at 7:25 PM

Thanks. I was not aware of that sample. I'm continuing to underestimate DXSDKs, as it seems.
But technique used there DO ring a bell.

Those are for SM2.0. Can I assume there's nothing particulary new for 3.0 in that area? If I can, there's only a matter of model format to choose and I might begin (desing+)implementation.

DXnut

May 17, 2006 at 7:37 PM

Actually it is the SkinnedMesh sample that does that. The multianimation one shows some other things. The samples programs are not easy to read, and the multianimation one is really badly designed. But I was able to learn a LOT by printing them out and then following the instruction flow to see how they did certain things and in what order.