FACES: Facial Animation, Construction and Editing System

Abstract

The aim of the Facial Animation, Construction and Editing System (FACES) is to provide a software simulation of the human face. Attention has focused on the face as an important means of non-verbal communication. The interactive composition and modification of the human head and its subsequent animation, have been identified as being of particular interest. The novelty of FACES is that it integrates the modelling and animation of faces using a three-layer anatomical model. FACES consists of four sub-systems: CONSTRUCT, MODIFY, ANIMATE and RENDER. The CONSTRUCT and MODIFY sub-systems enable changes to be made to the structure of the head, at both global and local levels, enabling specific faces to be created. The ANIMATE sub-system caters for motion specification and control, so that real and exaggerated facial expressions can be animated. The RENDER part of the system facilitates the generation of realistic images and their real-time playback. In this paper we consider the system from the user's point of view, examining the facilities which are provided, their appropriateness and practicality.