Image Metrics Launches Faceware 3.0 Animation Tech

Image Metrics said Thursday its Faceware 3.0 animation technology is now available, an update that adds new features that aim to make 3D facial animation more flexible in the creation of games, film and other media. Faceware achieves convincing facial animation through a marker-less video analysis tech and what the company describes as an "artist-driven performance transfer toolset." Image Metrics CEO Robert Gehorsam said in a statement, "Last year’s launch was a direct response to our customers’ desire to internally own creative control of their work. This year's release is the answer to our customers' stated definition of that creative control." New features in Faceware 3.0, according to Image Metrics, include: Auto-Pose: Automatic pose suggestion quickly shows artists the most extreme and physically different video performance frames that should be added as relationship poses. Shared Pose Database: Increase efficiency and consistency with a shared pose database allowing lead animators to establish a character's 'feel' prior to the animation process. Curve Refinement: New curve refinement tools allow animators to take results output from the retargeting stage and adjust them to suit the intended usage. Image Metrics' clients include Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Bethesda and other major game makers. This month, the company announced its acquisition of Big Stage, creator of the avatar creation platform Portable You. A full version of the Faceware software is available on Image Metrics' official website.