HYNEMAN, W.: Creation of an animated human musculo-skeletal system

In spite of enormous interest, realistic animation of the range of movements of the human skeleton has not yet been achieved by existing bio-medical software. Utilising commercially-available three-dimensional scans of the human skeleton and range of motion data compiled from the scientific literature, a model of the human musculo-skeletal system was created in the software package Maya. The foundation for digital movement in this model, as in life, is to be found in the complex workings of the axial skeleton. This paper will address some of the problems involved in the creation of this animation for the entertainment industry, as well as highlighting the potential such modeling has for improving the quality of information presented in the scientific literature. Video clips of this animation will be presented.