Using the orthographic projection model to approximate the perspective projection model for 3D facial reconstruction

Abstract

This study develops a 3D facial reconstruction system, which consists of five modules, using the orthographic projection model to approximate the perspective projection model. The first module identifies a number of feature points on the face and tracks these feature points over a sequence of facial images by the optical flow technique. The second module applies the factorization method to the orthographic model to reconstruct a 3D human face. The facial images are acquired using a pinhole camera, which are based on a perspective projection model. However, the face is reconstructed using an orthographic projection model. To compensate for the difference between these two models, the third module implements a simple and efficient method for approximating the perspective projection model. The fourth module overcomes the missing point problem, commonly arising in 3D reconstruction applications. Finally, the fifth module implements a smoothing process for the 3D surface by interpolating additional vertices. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.