AN X-WINDOWS TOOL FOR SYNTHESIZING FACE IMAGES FROM EIGENVECTORS

An X Windows software tool for the construction of faces with a weight ed combination of eigenvectors is described. The eigenvectors were ext racted from an autoassociative matrix that comprised 100 face images. The program input consists of eigenvectors and sets of weights that de scribe individual faces and combines these to create face images. The tool creates a panel of buttons that permits the display of individual eigenvectors and the display of an average face as well. Facilities f or on-line changes to the intensity of individual eigenvectors can be used to change the appearance of a face. Previously, O'Toole, Abdi, De ffenbacher, and Bartlett (1991) have shown that the intensity of certa in individual eigenvectors contains reliable information for determini ng the sex and race of the face.