Modeling, analysis, and visualization of nonrigid object motion

A research project initiated to study the modeling, analysis, and visualization of nonrigid motion in terms of three important types of objects--heart, human face/head, and fluid--is discussed. Attention is given to modeling and analysis of heart wall motion, human face/head motion analysis and synthesis in model-based image compression, and the evolution of coherent structures in fluid motion. It is believed that techniques from computer vision can be useful for solving these problems. In particular, the following computer vision techniques appear relevant: 3-D solid modeling, motion estimation, curvature analysis, shape from shading, relational structures, model-based systems, aspect graphs, and silhouette-slide theorems. The goal of the research is to develop concepts, methodologies, and techniques that will be widely applicable to many types of nonrigid motion.