Animating Facial Features and Expressions

Creating realistic animated characters and creutures is a major challenge for computer artists, but getting the facial features and expressions right is probably the most difficult aspect. In this book, readers will find an in-depth resource to guide them through the entire process.

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Creating realistic animated characters and creutures is a major challenge for computer artists, but getting the facial features and expressions right is probably the most difficult aspect. In this book, readers will find an in-depth resource to guide them through the entire process from the history of facial animation and anatomical structures, to expressing motions and speech visually. The text features comprehensive character studies showing detailed examples of 38 human and cartoon facial expressions through to timing charts and side-by-side comparisons. It also includes detailed instruction on how to recreate these expressions using weighted morph targets, providing the actual target percentages to achieve the expressions. A reference guide shows you how the weighted morph targets should appear so you can create perfect facial expression morphs. On the CD are front and side templates of each expression so you can recreate them with your characters. The book also covers comprehensive instruction on lip-synch technology and the products available. It explains how to create visual expressions for speech and sound under various conditions (for example, excited, sad, stuttering).
The author covers his own techniques for determining proper facial expressions to use in your scene in order to to guarantee that the viewers are absorbed in your animation. He also reveals the truth behind the relationship between the eyes and mouth in facial expression. The book goes on to look at the human head, illustrating precise techniques for ensuring the proper proportions and placement of details. In addition, it reveals little know facts about the proper movement of the jaw and facial tissue during expression. Bill covers many elements of proper skeletal and tissue movement so your character's skin appears to be moving over the skeletal structure beneath, rather than the actual bones mo moving, which is a common problem with 3D facial animation.