EmoCoW: an interface for real-time facial animation

We present an original graphic interface approach for animating a virtual character using expressions in real-time. The Emotional Color Wheel (EmoCoW) is an innovative and, to the best of our knowledge, unprecedented approach to tangibly controlled realtime facial animation. The system is programmed in C++ employing the Qt framework and is compiled as plug-in for Frapper as testing and development platform. The tangible device in use is a 3DConnexion Space Navigator, a commercially available 6-axes mouse for less than 90€ / 100$. For the interface, two sets of expressions are mapped on a circle each, with one circle nested into the other. The artist controls the rotation of both circles as well as vertical blend slider cutting the two topmost positions, thereby blending between two shapes on each circle and between the inner and outer circle, respectively. With a proper setup, it is possible to blend between any two emotions in the model without triggering unwanted ones in the process.