Creating realistic animated characters and creatures is a major challenge for computer artists, but getting the facial features and expressions right is probably the most difficult aspect. In this one-of-a-kind book, readers will find an in-depth resource to guide them through the entire process from the history of facial animation and anatomical structures, to expressing emotions and speech visually. An indispensable tool for animators of all levels.

It features comprehensive character studies showing detailed examples of 38 human and cartoon facial expressions through timing charts and side-by-side comparisons. It also includes detailed instruction on how to recreate these expressions using weighted morph targets, providing the actual target percentages to achieve the expressions. A reference guide shows you how the weighted morph targets should appear so you are guaranteed perfect facial expression morphs. On the CD are front and side templates of each expression so you can recreate them with your characters.

The book also covers comprehensive instruction on lip-synch technology and the products available. It explains how to create visual expressions for speech and sound under various conditions (e.g. excited, sad, stuttering). It goes deeper into lip synch phonemes than ever before. You'll discover the real power of phonetic speech and how it can be used for flawless lip synch every time, with out the need of relentless tweaking to resolve mouth movement errors!

Bill covers his own techniques for determining proper facial expressions to use in your scenes to guarantee the viewers are absorbed in your animation. He also reveals the truth behind the relationship between the eyes and mouth in facial expression.

If this wasn't enough, the book also covers an extensive look at the human head, illustrating precise techniques for ensuring the proper proportions and placement of details. In addition, it reveals little know facts about the proper movement of the jaw and facial tissue during expression. Bill covers many elements of proper skeletal and tissue movement so your characters skin appears to be moving over the skeletal structure beneath, rather than the actual bones moving, which is a common problem with 3D facial animation.