Famous Technologies has announced that version 1.5 of its stand-alone facial
animation system FAMOUSfaces is now shipping. The program, which is aimed at
film, broadcast, games and location-based entertainment developers now boasts
some amazing new features. The software allows character animators to create
realistic facial animation using one of, or a combination of any of the
following input devices: motion-capture, video, puppetry devices, voice
recognition or cluster targetting. New in version 1.5, animators can use the
product as a plug-in to their favourite animation system (such as 3D Studio
MAX
3 or Lightwave 6), and input the facial motion data directly to their models.
The new version also features realtime game animation -- this in-game
technology now gives game designers a powerful solution to key-framing,
with the aim of saving them time and money. FAMOUSfaces has adopted a
different approach to that of other facial animation systems, an approach
which could almost be described as facial animation capture. One major
advantage of this approach is that the animation and dialogue match
perfectly, but one disadvantage is that the technology is designed to mimic
human facial movement, and can be a little too sterile for cartoon-style 3D
animation. Nonetheless, FAMOUSfaces is a time-saving cost effective
solution for realistic facial animation which will suit the needs of
smaller, and larger animation studios perfectly. For more information visit
www.famoustech.com.