Erik Koehlert

Producing Computer Facial Animation: a 3D Facial Construction Tutorial Using Maya Erik Koehlert

This work focuses on the development of a tutorial that is intended to aid computer modelers and animators in creating and setting up models for convincing facial animation. This process involves capturing the likeness of an individual into a computer model, applying mechanisms that drive facial expressions and facial dynamics, and animating these controls in a manner which conveys the desired facial performance. This tutorial utilizes the versatility found in current animation software to reproduce some of the tools and techniques, specific to facial animation, developed in academic and commercial research laboratories. This work includes background material summarizing the accomplishments and direction of computer facial animation to date, a review of the current facial animation technology and techniques used in commercial production and research laboratories, and a tutorial using Maya, a software package developed by Alias/ Wavefront, to create and control a facial model.