Synthesis of faces: A tool for experiments on facial expressions

Using laser data bases and capture of movements, very realistic facial expr essions can he synthesized giving the opportunity to build a virtual labora tory. After reviewing some notable work in the application of numerical tre atments to facial expression, we investigate new directions in experiments using 2D or 3D reconstructions. The reconstruction of faces through the cap ture of continuous trajectories of the facial expression in the physical sp ace allows the possibility to put forward new hypotheses and to plan new ex periments.