Cinematographic User Models for Automated Realtime Camera Control in Dynamic 3D Environments

Advances in 3D graphics technology have accelerated the construction of dynamic 3D environments. Despite their promise for scientific and educational applications, much of this potential has gone unrealized because runtime camera control software lacks user-sensitivity. Current environments rely on sequences of viewpoints that directly require the user’s control or are based primarily on actions and geometry of the scene. Because of the complexity of rapidly changing environments, users typically cannot manipulate objects in environments while simultaneously issuing camera control commands. To address these issues, we have developed UCAM, a realtime camera planner that employs cinematographic user models to render customized visualizations of dynamic 3D environments. After interviewing users to determine their preferred directorial style and pacing, UCAM examines the resulting cinematographic user model to plan camera sequences whose shot vantage points and cutting rates are tailored to the user in realtime. Evaluations of UCAM in a dynamic 3D testbed are encouraging.