Psychological evidence for unconscious processing of detail in real-time animation of multiple characters

Detailed animation of 3D articulated body models is in principle desirable but is also a highly resource-intensive task. Resource limitations are part icularly critical in 3D visualizations of multiple characters in real-time game sequences. We investigated to what extent observers perceptually proce ss the level of detail in naturalistic character animations. Only if such p rocessing occurs would it be justified to spend valuable resources on richn ess of detail. An experiment was designed to test the effectiveness of 3D b ody animation. Observers had to judge the level of overall skill exhibited by four simulated soccer teams. The simulations were based on recorded Robo Cup simulation league games. Thus objective skill levels were known from th e teams' placement in the tournament. The animations' level of detail was v aried in four increasing steps of modelling complexity. Results showed that observers failed to notice the differences in detail. Nonetheless, clear e ffects of character animation on perceived skill were found. We conclude th at character animation co-determines perceptual judgements even when observ ers are completely unaware of these manipulations. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.