Video puppetry: a performative interface for cutout animation

We present a video-based interface that allows users of all skill levels to quickly create cutout-style animations by performing the character motions. The puppeteer first creates a cast of physical puppets using paper, markers and scissors. He then physically moves these puppets to tell a story. Using an inexpensive overhead camera our system tracks the motions of the puppets and renders them on a new background while removing the puppeteer's hands. Our system runs in real-time (at 30 fps) so that the puppeteer and the audience can immediately see the animation that is created. Our system also supports a variety of constraints and effects including articulated characters, multi-track animation, scene changes, camera controls, 21 /2-D environments, shadows, and animation cycles. Users have evaluated our system both quantitatively and qualitatively: In tests of low-level dexterity, our system has similar accuracy to a mouse interface. For simple story telling, users prefer our sys...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2008
• Where: TOG
• Authors: Connelly Barnes, David E. Jacobs, Jason Sanders, Dan B. Goldman, Szymon Rusinkiewicz, Adam Finkelstein, Maneesh Agrawala
• Keywords: Animation, Inexpensive Overhead Camera, Puppets, TOG 2008