3D face modeling from perspective-views and contour-based generic-model

Three-dimensional human head modeling is useful in video-conferencing or ot her virtual reality applications. However, manual construction of 3D models using CAD tools is often expensive and time-consuming. Here we present a r obust and efficient method for the construction of a 3D human head model fr om perspective images viewing from different angles. In our system, a gener ic head model is first used, then three images of the head are required to adjust the deformable contours on the generic model to make it closer to th e target head. Our contributions are as follows. Our system uses perspectiv e images that are more realistic than orthographic projection approximation s used in earlier works. Also, for shaping and positioning face organs, we present a method for estimating the camera focal length and the 3D coordina tes of facial landmarks when the camera transformation is known. We also pr ovide an alternative for the 3D coordinates estimation using epipolar geome try when the extrinsic parameters are absent. Our experiments demonstrate t hat our approach produces good and realistic results. (C) 2001 Academic Pre ss.