Creation of flexible anthropomorphic models for 3D videoconferencing using shape from silhouettes

✍ Scribed by Weik, S. ;Wingberm�hle, J. ;Niem, W.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 406 KB
• Volume: 11
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1049-8907
• DOI: 10.1002/1099-1778(200007)11:3<145::aid-vis226>3.0.co;2-5

✦ Synopsis

This contribution describes the semi-automatic creation of highly realistic ¯exible 3D models of participants for distributed 3D videoconferencing systems. The proposed technique uses a ¯exible mesh template surrounding an interior skeleton structure which is based on a simpli®ed human skeleton. The vertices of this template are arranged in rigid rings along the bones of the skeleton. Using 3D data obtained by a shape from silhouettes approach, the size and shape of the mesh template are adapted to the real person. Texture mapping of the adapted mesh using real camera images leads to a natural impression. The mesh organization in rigid rings allows an ef®cient surface deformation according to the skeleton movements. Once the resulting model is transmitted, it can be animated subsequently using the simple parameter set of the interior skeleton structure. Results obtained with real image data con®rm the eligibility of the animated person models in terms of realism and ef®ciency for 3D videoconferencing applications.