Creating Finite Element Models of Facial Soft Tissue

Physically-based animation techniques enable more realistic and accurate animation to be created. Such approaches require the creation of a complex simulation model that, for computer graphics applications, can efficiently produce realistic-looking animations. We present a process to automatically create animatable non-conforming hexahedral finite element (FE) simulation models of facial soft tissue, including automatic computation of skin layers and element material properties, muscle properties and boundary conditions, making them immediately ready for simulation. Using the GPU, the detailed models can simulate complex gross and fine-scale behaviour, such as wrinkling. Our process can also be used to create a multi-layered FE model of any object (not just soft tissue).