Object-Oriented Systems

As a result of the implementation of the REALISM system in C++, some disadvantages of the `class-instance' flavour of the O-O paradigm for animation systems became apparent. In many ways, the `prototype-delegation' style is more suitable since it allows flexible object definitions and dynamic object definitions. This is important in animation systems since by their very nature objects are dynamic and may change their entire structure during their lifetime.

The REALISM avoided these problems by supporting inter-class transformations, thus negating the problem of the rigid class hierarchy of C++. This has led to an interest in defining an version of the O-O paradigm that supports efficient dynamic inheritance within a class-instance approach.

Publications

• "The use of object-oriented techniques in the REALISM animation system", I.J.Palmer & R.L.Grimsdale
• "Object-oriented computer animation: virtual perfection or Mickey Mouse software?", I.J.Palmer

Author: I.J.Palmer
Last update: 16/8/95