[comp.robotics] Information about new book/video on motion animation

morgan@unix.SRI.COM (Morgan Kaufmann) (10/26/90)

Morgan Kaufmann Publishers announces a new title in its Series in
Computer Graphics and Geometric Modeling, edited by Brian A. Barsky


                        MAKING THEM MOVE
     Mechanics, Control and Animation of Articulated Figures
                    (Book and Video Package)

                           Edited by 
         Norman I. Badler (University of Pennsylvania) 
     Brian A. Barsky (University of California at Berkeley) and 
                 David Zeltzer (Media Lab, MIT)


Current computer graphics hardware and software make it possible
to synthesize near photo-realistic images, but the simulation of
natural-looking motion of articulated figures remains a difficult
and challenging task.  Skillfully rendered animation of humans,
animals and robots can delight and move us, but simulating their
realistic motion holds great promise for many other applications
as well, including ergonomic engineering design, clinical diagnosis
of pathological movements, rehabilitation therapy, and
biomechanics.

"Making Them Move" is a unique book/video package that presents the
work of leading researchers in computer graphics, psychology,
robotics and mechanical engineering who were invited to attend the
Workshop on the Mechanics, Control and Animation of Articulated
Figures held at the MIT Media Lab.  The book explores biological
and robotic motor control, as well as state-of-the-art computer
graphics techniques for simulating human and animal figures in a
natural and physically realistic manner.  The accompanying video 
tape includes selected animation sequences demonstrating these
techniques.    

ISBN 
     Book/Video Package: 1-55860-155-4 
     Book only: 1-55860-106-6
     Tape only: 1-55860-154-6

Book: 348 pages, hardbound  
Video: Approx. 1 hour, all formats available

Price (Ordering information follows tables of contents below): 
     Package: $69.95 (VHS, NTSC OR PAL)
     Book only: $46.95
     Tape only: $29.95 (VHS, NTSC OR PAL)

                     Book Table of Contents

PART ONE -- INTERACTING WITH ARTICULATED FIGURES
Chapter 1      Task-level Graphical Simulation:  Abstraction,
               Representation, and Control
                    David Zeltzer

Chapter 2      Composition of Realistic Animation Sequences for
               Multiple Human Figures
                    Tom Calvert

Chapter 3      Animation from Instructions
                    Norman I. Badler, Bonnie L. Webber, Jugal
                    Kalita, and Jeffrey Esakov

PART TWO -- ARTIFICIAL AND BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS FOR MOTOR CONTROL
ARTIFICIAL MOTOR PROGRAMS
Chapter 4      A Robot that Walks:  Emergent Behaviors from a
               Carefully Evolved Network
                    Rodney A. Brooks

BIOLOGICAL MOTOR PROGRAMS
Chapter 5      Sensory Elements in Pattern-Generating Networks
                    K.G. Pearson

Chapter 6      Motor Programs as Units of Movement Control
                    Douglas E. Young and Richard A. Schmidt

Chapter 7      Dynamics and Task-specific Coordinations
                    M.T. Turvey, Elliot Saltzman, and R.C. Schmidt

Chapter 8      Dynamic Pattern Generation and Recognition
                    J.A.S. Kelso and A.S. Pandya

LEARNING MOTOR PROGRAMS
Chapter 9      A Computer System for Movement Schemas
                    Peter H. Greene and Dan Solomon

PART THREE -- MOTION CONTROL ALGORITHMS
Chapter 10     Constrained Optimization of Articulated Animal
               Movement in Computer Animation
                    Michael Girard

Chapter 11     Goal-directed Animation of Tubular Articulated
               Figures or How Snakes Play Golf
                    Gavin Miller

Chapter 12     Human Body Deformations Using Joint-dependent Local
               Operators and Finite-Element Theory
                    Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann and Daniel Thalmann

PART FOUR -- COMPUTING THE DYNAMICS OF MOTION
Chapter 13     Dynamic Experiences
                    Jane Wilhelms

Chapter 14     Using Dynamics in Computer Animation:  Control and
               Solution Issues
                    Mark Green

Chapter 15     Teleological Modeling
                    Alan H. Barr

Appendix A:  Video Notes
Appendix B:  About the Authors
Index


                            VIDEOTAPE

This videotape contains selected animation sequences illustrating
techniques discussed in the book.  The total running time is
approximately one hour.  An appendix in the book entitled Video
Notes includes commentary on some of the animations. 

Selections:

     David Zeltzer and others (MIT Media Lab):  The BOLIO Virtual
     Environment System.

     Norman Badler and others (Univ. of Pennsylvania): Strength-
     Guided Motion and Task Animation From Natural Language

     Tom Calvert and others (Simon Fraser University): Compose and
     Goal-Directed Dynamic Animation of Human Walking

     Rodney Brooks and others (MIT): Genghis: A Six-Legged Walking
     Robot

     Michael Girard and Susan Amkraut (Stichting Computeranimatie):
     Eurythmy

     Gavin Miller (Apple Computer): How Snakes Play Golf and Her
     Majesty's Secret Serpent

     Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann (University of Geneva) and David
     Thalmann (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology): Galaxy
     Sweetheart

     Jane Wilhelms (Univ. of California, Santa Cruz) and David
     Forsey (Univ. of Waterloo): Interactive Dynamics

_________________________________________________________________

Ordering Information:

     For shipping please add: 
     
          $5 for the first package and $3.50 for each additional
          for surface shipping to the U.S. and Canada or, if
          ordering the book or tape only, $3.50 for the first and
          $2.50 for additional; 

          $8.50 for the first package and $6.50 for each additional
          for surface shipping to all other areas or, if ordering
          the book or tape only, $6.50 for the first and $3.50 for
          additional. 

          Please inquire about air shipment rates. 

     Master Card, Visa and personal checks drawn on US banks
     accepted.

     California residents please add sales tax appropriate to your
     county.
     
     Morgan Kaufmann Publishers
     Department 60 
     2929 Campus Drive, Suite 260
     San Mateo, CA 94403
     USA
     
     Credit card orders (only) accepted by: 
          Phone: (800)745-READ, (415) 578-9928
          Fax: (415) 578-0672
          Email: morgan@unix.sri.com