Alias|Wavefront TiPiT v1.5 for Maya Composer

3D from 2D Image-based Rendering Technique

(10th, Mar. 2000)

Introduction

TiPiT(TM) provides a new image-based rendering technique for use with Maya Composer. Using the plug-in, animators can create a fly through animation from a single 2D image or photograph. TiPiT can also be used to create the popular "dead-time" effect (camera moving while all other motion in the scene is frozen) from a single frame of film or video. Now you can create an architectural walk through from a single rendered image; recreate the 3D feeling of a famous location with a single photograph; or develop a unique animation with a distinctive look from a painting or single frame of film. With TiPiT, a simple scene model is easy created from the 2D image which separates foreground element from the background. A camera path through these elements is defined by the animator, and the software calculates the animation. Easy-to-understand camera functions like zoom, pan, track, and dolly simplify the animation process. TiPiT also takes advantage of all Maya Composer functions to provide complete creative control over each element in the scene. The TiPiT plug-in for Composer provides you with the unique ability to extend a 2D image into a 3D animation which provides the viewer with a virtual "tour into the picture."

New Features

Below, lising major features improved from TiPiT v1.0, resulted from this great but minor upgrade. We had efforted that TiPiT v1.5 is free from as many restrictions with TiPiT v1.0 as possible.

FEATURE 1: Supporting overlapping regions

Additional five image inputs (1st to 5th Layer) attached for each group of regions witout any overlap each other
Z-channel output used for a composite of TiPiT result images, each other

FEATURE 2: Region improved

More than four vertexes for building a region.
Supporting to specify a relation with parent and child, between two region (including between a region and a base wall).

FEATURE 3: Render Algorithm improved

Additional two render algorisms supporting high quality output for film. The both algorisms provide over-sampling pixels in each input image. In TiPiT v1.0, flicker can happens, because TiPiT v1.0 samples a pixel in an input image projected by a pixel in a result image for reducing a part of an input image. One is exactly sampling all pixels in the area in an input image projected by a pixel in a result image. Other is random-sampling several pixels in the area in an input image projected by a pixel in a result image.
Supporting a multi-processing in a multi-cpu mode for a speed-up

FEATURE 4: Supporting a composer scripting

Composer scripting file including all contents of a conventional TIP file needed to attach by TiPiT v1.0. So, TiPiT v1.5 is compatible with a UNDO/REDO feature of Maya Composer 5.5
Supporting functions of Import and Export TIP file in a Composer Toolbar for compatiblity with TiPiT v1.0

FEATURE 5: GUI improved

Mode selections and so on implemented by buttons in a Toolbar of Maya Composer. Changing a edit mode is reversible, though changing editing mode is not reversible in TiPiT v.1.0 with a reset camera.
Import and Export a file by buttons in a Toolbar of Maya Composer
By the above improvements, an avaialble Short-Cut key feature of Maya Composer

FEATURE 6: Camera setting improved

Supporting a roll angle of a camera as an event parameter and prameters for intial state of the camera, also.

FEATURE 7: Multitude of TiPiTs in a timeline

Supporting Multitude of TiPiTs in a timeline (or a flow-graph) by re-making composer native code of a TiPiT v1.5. TiPiT v1.0 has had many restrictions, because it is ported from other platform with souce code witten in a coventional old style.