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For the new DigitalRune Geometry library we have created a simple 3D character controller example (including source code).

A character controller, as understood in this context, is a game engine module that computes the movement of an avatar in a game. The input for the character controller is the desired movement (e.g. “move forward with 5 m/s speed”, or “jump”) and the output is the new corrected avatar position in the 3D game world. The character controller has to apply gravity, avoid penetration of walls and other solid objects, handle stepping up/down slopes and stairs, and more.

If you don’t know how to create class diagrams for the XNA classes in Visual Studio, here is a quick summary of the process.

When I learn a new API I like to look at the API using different views: example code, API documentation, and class diagrams. When we started to learn XNA, we created class diagrams for the XNA framework. This helped a lot in getting an overview and seeing relationships between types.

I haven’t seen XNA class diagrams publicly on the internet. So it might help if I post our class diagrams here.

This is a collection of various links about character animation and related topics.

Libraries and Products

• annosoft Lipsync
• Cal3D - 3d character animation library
  A skeletal based character animation library written in C++. Open Source (LGPL).
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