A biologically inspired generation of virtual characters

ABSTRACT

A number of techniques for generating geometric models of human head and body are in use nowadays. Models of human characters are useful in computer games, virtual reality, and many other applications. The complexities involved in generating such models, however, impose heavy limitations on the variety of characters produced. In this paper, diploid reproduction is mimicked to produce an unlimited number of character models, which inherit traits from two parent models. The meshes of all models are constructed based on control parameters that are distributed as genes among a group of chromosomes. Thus, the technique consists of distributing pre-selected characteristics, represented as control parameters, over a pre-determined number of chromosome pairs for both parents; followed by a simulated generation of the father's and the mother's gametes; which are randomly combined in a simulated fecundation. The diversity is ensured in four random processes: the random exchange of segments during crossover; the random alignment of homologous chromosomes at metaphases I and II of meiosis; and the random union of male and female gametes during fecundation.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.5 Computational Geometry and Object Modeling

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.6 SIMULATION AND MODELING
      I.6.5 Model Development

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Experimentation, Human Factors

Keywords:
genetic inheritance, mesh generation, reproductive simulation, virtual characters modeling