David Haumann

The Ohio State University, Ohio Supercomputer Center

Papers

Total Citations

556

H-Index

About

David Haumann is a pioneering figure in computer graphics and animation, best known for his foundational work in deformable character modeling and physically based animation. His most influential contribution, the 1989 paper “Layered construction for deformable animated characters,” has garnered over 380 citations, establishing a methodology that revolutionized how digital characters are built and animated. Haumann’s approach elegantly integrates robotics, physically based modeling, and geometric modeling by constraining the control points of geometric deformations to an underlying articulated robotic skeleton. This layered framework allowed for more realistic, flexible, and controllable character motion, bridging the gap between rigid skeletal structures and organic surface deformation. His work directly influenced the development of modern character rigging and simulation techniques used in film, gaming, and virtual reality. With a second highly cited iteration of the same paper (176 citations), Haumann’s research remains a cornerstone in the field, demonstrating lasting impact on both academic research and industry practice. His contributions continue to inspire new generations of computer graphics researchers and animators seeking to create lifelike, deformable characters.