FIELD

The present disclosure relates to computer graphics, and in particular, to avatar animation in computer graphics.

BACKGROUND

Techniques for the animation of avatars in computer graphics are typically constrained by the processing power of the machines running the animations. Machines with higher processing power are able to render models in greater detail, or in other words, with a more detailed mesh or with a greater number of polygons. High-end productions of major motion pictures, for example, can afford to feature highly detailed animations, as the processing of such animations can be performed ahead of time using high-powered processing equipment. For animation processing that is to take place in real-time, however, such as in real-time virtual reality games, avatar animations are typically limited in detail so that the product is able to run on lower-end personal computing devices and gaming consoles.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides methods, systems, and instructions to be executed by a processor for the animation of realistic facial performances of avatars that are capable of running on relatively lower-powered machines.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method for animating a facial performance of an avatar is provided. The method involves photogrammetrically scanning a subject head performing a collection of facial gestures to develop a facial gesture model of the subject head, capturing a video of a face of the subject head delivering a facial performance, and generating a dynamic texture map. The dynamic texture map combines the video of the face of the subject head delivering the facial performance with a static portion of the facial gesture model of the subject head. The method further involves applying the dynamic texture map to the facial gesture model, and animating the facial gesture model of the subject head to emulate the facial performance.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium includes instructions that when executed cause a processor of a computing device to generate a dynamic texture map that combines a video of a face of a subject head delivering a facial performance with a static portion of a facial gesture model of the subject head. The facial gesture model is generated by a photogrammetric scan of the subject head performing a collection of facial gestures. The instructions further cause the processor to apply the dynamic texture map to the facial gesture model, and animate the facial gesture model of the subject head to emulate the facial performance of an avatar.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a system for animating a facial performance of an avatar is provided. The system includes a memory to store a facial gesture model of a subject head derived from a photogrammetric scan of the subject head and a video of a face of the subject head delivering a facial performance. The system further includes a processor to generate a dynamic texture map that combines the video of the face of the subject head delivering the facial performance with a static portion of the facial gesture model of the subject head. The processor is further to apply the dynamic texture map to the facial gesture model, and animate the facial gesture model of the subject head to emulate the facial performance.

