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.

"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review

The challenges of modelling and animating realistic faces and emotions with computer software are confronted and easily worked through in Animating Facial Features & Expressions. If you have any interest in computer-based character animation, this book will be a valuable addition to your reference shelf.

The book starts with an exploration of the anatomy of the head, including underlying facial muscles and proportions; continues with examples of displaying different emotions; and ends with a series of appendices that list different expressions and emotions for human faces, cartoon faces, and non-human (monster) faces.

Of all the material, the most important section discusses speech/lip-sync animation. Imagine the difficulties not only in creating a realistic sculpture but animating it as well. While you will encounter the normal problems of modelling everything within proper proportions, you must also constantly alter the facial features and mouth shapes with very specific timing to achieve realistic-looking movement. If either the timing or proportions stray from the given norm, the illusion is shattered.

The author starts with an explanation of phonemes (defined as "the sounds we hear in speech patterns"), how they sound, and how they look. A timing chart is then created, also known as reading a sound track, where the specific frame numbers are noted for each phoneme. With this in hand, it then becomes a simple matter of producing the proper shapes at the proper times to create a talking character.

Good facial expression and lip-sync animation remain anything but "a simple matter". A practised ear is required for reading a soundtrack, and a trained eye for creating the facial features that match those shapes. However, this book is an excellent way to start tackling the problems involved.

One more note: the book is completely nonsoftware-specific, to the point where not one software package is mentioned. This may keep the book generic and focused on important issues, but it also places the burden of properly modelling and manipulating any faces or heads (not to mention software) in the hands of the reader. If you are new to 3-D character animation, you might want to better learn the features of the software application you will be using before tackling the complexities of facial animation. --Mike Caputo

"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Budget Books

Pasadena, CA, U.S.A.

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since June 26, 2023

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Item	5 to 14 business days	3 to 6 business days
First item	£ 3.74	£ 8.97

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

Store description

I buy books in bulk cheap and I pass the savings on to my customers. I specialize in unusual books instead of the bestsellers. I try to price my books below the market whenever possible. I do my best to please my customers with good deals and prompt refunds. I operate a very honest small business. I appreciate your patronage!

Specialty

Mostly non-fiction, biography and technical books.

Seller's business information

Budget Books

CA, U.S.A.

Contact sellerView this seller's itemsView seller's storefront

Terms of sale

I do not intend to sell to customers outside the United States.

Right of withdrawal

If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

Information regarding the right of withdrawal

Statutory right to withdraw

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.

Effects of withdrawal

If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Budget Books, Pasadena, California, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of withdrawal

The right of withdrawal does not apply to:

The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.

Animating Facial Features & Expressions with CD ROM

Item description from seller

Bibliographic details

Synopsis

About the title

Review

Budget Books

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Payment methods

Store description

Specialty

Seller's business information

Terms of sale

Right of withdrawal