Eg 4: Head Morph Targets

This example shows how the Template tool can be used to create morph targets for facial animation. Figure 229. Megan Polymesh Figure 229 shows one of the target heads in this example. The polymesh editing tools (see the Polymesh Edit chapter) have been used to remove the hair, fix up behind the ears, up the nostrils, and under the chin. The sculpting tools have been used extensively; these are not available with a basic CySlice license, but can be added with the PlyEdit option. Figure 230. Edith Polymesh Figure 230 shows the second head. This polymesh has also been sculpted to remove hair and add ears (borrowed from the first head). Stage 1: Surface Half of the First Head Generally, if morphing between two heads, its best to start surfacing the one with the most extreme expression or features. In this example Edith has more wrinkles, so the surfacing starts with her. Figure 231. One Half Surfaced Figure 231 shows progressive stages of the SUBD surfacing process. First major feature lines are sketched in, then complex areas like the ears, nose and eyes are filled in, then the rest of the head until one half is complete. This process is described in detail in the Eg 1: NURBS Surfacing example, though there would be subtle differences in network layout because of the differences in NURB and SUBD surfacing. The Eg 2: SUBD Surfacing example talks more about the nuances of SUBD surfacing. Figure 232. Resolution Change vs Wedging Figure 232 shows two approaches to changing grid resolution between different parts of the network. In previous SUBD surfacing examples the 4-to-2 boundary matching method (left side) was used quite a bit, but for this example triangular "wedging" patches (right side) have been used more widely. Figure 233. Wedging More Flexible Figure 233 shows another example using wedging to change resolution. In this case its from 5-to-3, something that wouldn't be possible with the matched boundary approach. Stage 2: Template Mirror First Head Figure 234. Other Half Mirrored And Joined Figure 234 shows the next stage; the half just built is mirrored onto the other side of the head polymesh, then the two halves are joined to make a complete head surface. Again, the template mirroring is described in more detail in a previous example; Eg 1: NURBS Surfacing.