3D Morphing Using Strain Field Interpolation

In this paper, we present a new technique based on strain fields tocarry out 3D shape morphing for applications in computer graphicsand related areas. Strain is an important geometric quantity used inmechanics to describe the deformation of objects. We apply it in a novelway to analyze and control deformation in morphing. Using positionvector fields, the strain field relating source and target shapes can beobtained. By interpolating this strain field between zero and a final desiredvalue we can obtain the position field for intermediate shapes. Thismethod ensures that the 3D morphing process is smooth. Locally, volumes sufferminimal distortion, and no shape jittering or wobbling happens: othermethods do not necessarily have these desirable properties. We also showhow to control the method so that changes of shape (in particular, sizechanges) vary linearly with time.