Extraction of deformable part models

Abstract

Many important objects consist of approximately rigid parts connected by hinges and other sorts of joints, so that the obvious way to describe these objects is in terms of the shapes of the component parts. Furthermore, if we axe interested in the behavior of these parts, or if they are not completely rigid, then we must also account for their non-rigid shape and dynamics using a technique such as the finite element method. Use of a 3-D dynamic model based on the finite element method was first suggested by Terzopoulos, Witkin, and Kass [1]. This approach to modeling is also known as the "thin plate" model. I will begin, therefore, by reviewing the finite element method.