Hybrid Facial Model Fitting using Active Appearance Models and Contour-Based Facial Feature Location

Model-based coding techniques require a very accurate initial fit of a facial model to an image sequence in order to achieve realistic results, particularly around the eyes and mouth. This paper presents a facial model-fitting technique which uses a combination of texture analysis using an active appearance model and feature position location to give accurate initial fits. Results, based on the XM2VTS database, show this hybrid technique superior to using active appearance models alone especially in the ability to locate the eyes and mouth.