Pseudo-3D Image Morphing

Producing believable 3D animations using image metamorphosis (morphing) techniques has proved difficult because of problems intrinsic to the image morphing process. These problems include occlusion in the source images and the associated topological non-isomorphism (foldover) of the control meshes that specify the transformation. These problems have, in general, restricted the use of image morphing to the realm of the fantastic. The major use of image morphing has been as a special effects tool for film and video production. This paper describes a solution to the formidable problems of occlusion in the source images and the subsequent non-isomorphism in the control mesh. The system is able to produce a broader range of transformations than is normally associated with image morphing techniques by implementing a unique control structure based on three triangulation pairs. By maintaining a high rate of frame throughput compared with traditional systems, the field of applications is effectively broadened to include real-time systems. This real-time performance, combined with an improved ability to process difficult transformations, results in an image morphing application capable of producing realistic pseudo-3D animations from images of complex objects at interactive frame rates.