MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY ‘ANIMATES’ VIDEOGAMES AND FILMS INDUSTRIES

3D imaging technology initially developed to help surgeons reconstruct patients’ facial features is revolutionising the animation process used in videogames and films.

The Facial Expression Capture technology developed by Dimensional Imaging is currently being evaluated by Valve, one of the world’s leading games developers, who are intending to integrate the system into future products.

The new technology uses Dimensional Imaging’s DI3D™ facial capture system to quickly capture high definition 3D models of many different facial expressions from an actor. The facial expression models are then turned semi-automatically into “blend shapes” that form the basis of most facial animation systems. This results in a dramatic reduction in time, as well as a huge increase in realism, over the established methods of hand modelling blend shapes.

Developed by Glasgow based Dimensional Imaging the DI3D™ system is the choice of Valve’s senior animator Bay Raitt who brought the digital character Gollum to life in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

Bay Raitt said: “The challenge for game developers is the huge amount of effort required to create the high level of detail required in today’s games."

He added: "Running pre-release tests of Dimensional Imaging’s new Expression Capture System at Valve has shown great promise for reducing the time needed to create next generation character animation. Valve is looking to integrate the use of this exciting new technology in future products."

Dimensional Imaging’s new product was given its international launch in New Orleans today (Tuesday 4 August) at SIGGRAPH 2009 – the world’s premier showcase event for computer graphics and interactive techniques.

Dr Colin Urquhart, CEO of Dimensional Imaging, commented: “The level of detail and realism required by today’s videogames presents a huge opportunity for Dimensional Imaging. Several leading game developers have already completed projects that used our DI3D™ facial and head capture systems to instantaneously capture that required level of detail and realism.”

He continued: “We’ve been working with Bay Raitt and Valve for some time to create a super efficient pipeline for blend shape creation and we’re delighted that our new Expression Capture system promises to make such a huge difference to their process. We are also very excited to see the incredible detail and realism of game character that our systems and software will help Valve to achieve in future games”.

Established in 2002 Dimensional Imaging has received business development support from Innovation Centres Scotland (ICS) and is a tenant of their award winning Hillington Park Innovation Centre, Glasgow.

Ross Clark, Director of the Innovation Centre, said: “The latest success of Dimensional Imaging demonstrates the opportunities that exist in an era of rapidly converging technologies. This new product will enhance Scotland’s world wide reputation for excellence in the field of creative media.”