Computer animation: from avatars to unrestricted autonomous actors (A survey on replication and modelling mechanisms)

Dealing with synthetic actors who move and behave realistically in virtual environments is a task which involves different disciplines like Mechanics, Physics, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Life, Biology, Cogn itive Sciences and so on. In this paper we use the nature of the informatio n required for controlling actors' motion and behaviour to propose a new cl assification of synthetic actors. A description of the different motion and behaviour techniques is presented. A set of Internet addresses of the most relevant research groups, commercial companies and other related sites in this area is also given. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .