To Stylize or not to Stylize? The Effect of Shape and Material Stylization on the Perception of Computer-Generated Faces

摘要

Virtual characters contribute strongly to the entire visuals of 3D animatedrnfilms. However, designing believable characters remains arnchallenging task. Artists rely on stylization to increase appeal orrnexpressivity, exaggerating or softening specific features. In this paperrnwe analyze two of the most influential factors that define howrna character looks: shape and material. With the help of artists, werndesign a set of carefully crafted stimuli consisting of different stylizationrnlevels for both parameters, and analyze how different combinationsrnaffect the perceived realism, appeal, eeriness, and familiarityrnof the characters. Moreover, we additionally investigate howrnthis affects the perceived intensity of different facial expressionsrn(sadness, anger, happiness, and surprise). Our experiments revealrnthat shape is the dominant factor when rating realism and expressionrnintensity, while material is the key component for appeal. Furthermorernour results show that realism alone is a bad predictor forrnappeal, eeriness, or attractiveness.