Probability Distributions.- Linear Models for Regression.- Linear Models for Classification.- Neural Networks.- Kernel Methods.- Sparse Kernel Machines.- Graphical Models.- Mixture Models and EM.- Approximate Inference.- Sampling Methods.- Continuous Latent Variables.- Sequential Data.- Combining Models.

Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning

The aggregate motion of a flock of birds, a herd of land animals, or a school of fish is a beautiful and familiar part of the natural world. But this type of complex motion is rarely seen in computer animation. This paper explores an approach based on simulation as an alternative to scripting the paths of each bird individually. The simulated flock is an elaboration of a particle systems, with the simulated birds being the particles. The aggregate motion of the simulated flock is created by a distributed behavioral model much like that at work in a natural flock; the birds choose their own course. Each simulated bird is implemented as an independent actor that navigates according to its local perception of the dynamic environment, the laws of simulated physics that rule its motion, and a set of behaviors programmed into it by the "animator." The aggregate motion of the simulated flock is the result of the dense interaction of the relatively simple behaviors of the individual simulated birds.

/pdf/flocks-herds-and-schools-a-distributed-behavioral-model-5u7ofvq11i.pdf

Flocks, herds and schools: A distributed behavioral model

In this paper, a new technique for modeling textured 3D faces is introduced. 3D faces can either be generated automatically from one or more photographs, or modeled directly through an intuitive user interface. Users are assisted in two key problems of computer aided face modeling. First, new face images or new 3D face models can be registered automatically by computing dense one-to-one correspondence to an internal face model. Second, the approach regulates the naturalness of modeled faces avoiding faces with an “unlikely” appearance. Starting from an example set of 3D face models, we derive a morphable face model by transforming the shape and texture of the examples into a vector space representation. New faces and expressions can be modeled by forming linear combinations of the prototypes. Shape and texture constraints derived from the statistics of our example faces are used to guide manual modeling or automated matching algorithms. We show 3D face reconstructions from single images and their applications for photo-realistic image manipulations. We also demonstrate face manipulations according to complex parameters such as gender, fullness of a face or its distinctiveness.

/pdf/a-morphable-model-for-the-synthesis-of-3d-faces-1fz06uy6kp.pdf

A morphable model for the synthesis of 3D faces

An Introduction to MultiAgent Systems.

http://cvssp-data.eps.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/AdrianHilton/Publications_files/survey_techrep.pdf

A survey of advances in vision-based human motion capture and analysis

Interactive environments for dynamically deforming objects play an important role in surgery simulation and entertainment technology. These environments require fast deformable models and very efficient collision handling techniques. While collision detection for rigid bodies is well investigated, collision detection for deformable objects introduces additional challenging problems. This paper focuses on these aspects and summarizes recent research in the area of deformable collision detection. Various approaches based on bounding volume hierarchies, distance fields and spatial partitioning are discussed. In addition, image-space techniques and stochastic methods are considered. Applications in cloth modeling and surgical simulation are presented.

/pdf/collision-detection-for-deformable-objects-5cs8iwp1ey.pdf

Collision Detection for Deformable Objects

Presents a human walking model built from experimental data based on a wide range of normalized velocities. The model is structured on two levels. On the first level, global spatial and temporal characteristics are generated. On the second level, a set of parameterized trajectories produce both the position of the body in space and the internal body configuration. This is performed for a standard structure and an average configuration of the human body. The experimental context corresponding to the model is extended by allowing a continuous variation of global spatial and temporal parameters according to the motion rendition expected by the animator. The model is based on a simple kinematic approach designed to keep the intrinsic dynamic characteristics of the experimental model. Such an approach also allows a personification of the walking action in an interactive real-time context in most cases. A correction automata of such motion is then proposed

A global human walking model with real-time kinematic personification

Algorithms and methods are presented for animating the hands of a synthetic actor. The algorithms allow the land to move and grasp objects; they also compute deformations of the hand as it moves. The mapping of surfaces onto the skeleton is based on the concept of joint-dependent local deformation (JLD) operators, which are specific local deformation operators depending on the nature of the joints. The major problem in the hand covering process is the calculation of the coordinate bases. The key to the method was to find a model for calculating the bases which was sophisticated enough for the simulation of complex motions. Several examples are shown and the user interface introduced into the human factory system is also described

Joint-dependent local deformations for hand animation and object grasping

Conventional Animation. Computer Animation. The Development of Computer Animation in Various Organizations. Keyframe and Painting Systems. Object Modelling in 3D Animation. Motion Control in 3D Animation. Hidden Surfaces, Reflectance and Shading. Transparency, Texture, Shadows, and Anti-aliasing. Human Modelling and Animation. Object-oriented and Actor Languages and Systems. Automatic Motion Control. Case Studies of Computer-generated Films. Appendix: Computer-generated Films.

Computer Animation: Theory and Practice

A new way of controlling human face animation and synchronizing speech is proposed. It is based on the concept of abstract muscle action procedure (AMA procedure). An AMA procedure is a specialized procedure which simulates the specific action of a face muscle. The paper describes the new technique and presents a methodology for animating the face of synthetic actors based on three levels: the AMA-procedure level, the expression level and the script level. The role of multiple tracks is also emphasized. Practical examples are also explained in detail, based on the film Rendez-vous a Montreal with the synthetic actors Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart

Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann

Papers

Collision Detection for Deformable Objects

A global human walking model with real-time kinematic personification

Joint-dependent local deformations for hand animation and object grasping

Computer Animation: Theory and Practice

Abstract muscle action procedures for human face animation