Hey there, Emily!

Say hello to Emily. She's a pretty effective spokesperson for Image Metrics' high-quality facial animation software. Unlike with garden variety mocap, facial rig animation can be developed with no need for markers or special cameras. Instead, the Image Metrics technology uses proprietary software to analyze video and develop data that can then be used to drive any facial rig. The analysis is then retargeted to a CG facial model. The end result is an animation that is incredibly compelling.

This type of technology gives us a glimpse at where we may be going with regard to far more compelling animated avatars than we currently have within today's virtual worlds. Imagine CG Emily's face being superimposed on an avatar frame based on real-time webcam video analysis. Of course, for that to happen, we will need much faster video-camera enabled machines than we have at present. Lets hope that open software and Moore's law will get us there within the next several years.....