Modelling and Animation of Theatrical Greek Masks in an Authoring System

Abstract

This paper describes an authoring system for modelling Greek virtual masks that express emotions for synchronising their facial movements with pre-recorded speech files, and for creating theatrical performances. The system is related to parametric modelling and includes three interfaces: Editor, Recorder and Virtual Theatre. In the Editor interface it is possible to create several different 3D masks from a unique mask basic model. In the Recorder it is possible to import the models created in the Editor and select eight expressions (neutral, anger, surprise, sadness, fear, joy, disgust, attention), as well as to create and save little alterations in these expressions, and to synchronise the facial movements with speech on the time-line of the system. In the Virtual Theatre the animated Greek masks can be imported and can perform.