HandsOn Explained

 
   

Sign language involves a complex range of hand motions, making it difficult to replicate in Computer Animation.

HandsOn simplifies the task by generating key-framed animation of sign language hand gestures.

Each gesture is translated into a written notation. This encapsulates he essential parts of the sign, which are:

  • The initial arrangement of the hands
  • How the hands relate to each other during the sign
  • Details of any movements that are made when performing the sign

The list of gestures forms the input to the HandsOn program. It generates a simulation of a hand skeleton performing the signs specified.

The user can interact with the visualisation to change camera angles, playback, and to record a section of animation as key-frames.
The recorded key-frames can be imported into a Maya model at the press of a button.
The animation can finally be rendered at high resolution.


As part of the project, an explanatory video was produced. Copies are available on request (VHS, PAL, duration: 3.5min).

How HandsOn was used to make an example animation