Collision-free object movement using vector fields

Presents a technique for automatically providing animation and collision avoidance in a general-purpose computer graphics system. The technique, which relies on an expanded notion of vector fields, allows users to set up and animate objects easily, then prevents objects from colliding as the animation proceeds. This technique automatically generates volume octree vector fields around objects in a scene. These vector fields affect object motion and animation, and also provide for automatic collision avoidance for arbitrary objects. Applications of collision avoidance in an animation system encompass any scene containing object movement above or around other objects.