A Framework for Reasoning About Animation Systems

In this paper, we consider the potential for reasoning about animations in the language of hybrid dynamical systems (i.e., systems with both continuous and discrete dynamics). We begin by directly applying hybrid systems theory to animation, using a general-purpose hybrid system specification tool to generate multi-agent animations; this application also illustrates that hybrid system models can provide systematic, modular ways to incorporate low-level behavior into a design for higher-level behavioral modeling. We then apply the logical framework of hybrid systems to animation: We formally state properties of animation systems that may not be readily expressed in other frameworks; and we mechanically check a collision-avoidance property for a simple racelike game. This hybrid systems-oriented approach could improve our ability to reason about virtual worlds, thus improving our ability to create intelligent virtual agents.