This video is fantastic! Finally, an easy to use program capable of faithfully reproducing any human face. I hope the new programmers who created it won't make us wait too long for  a commercial version. I want it now.

http://blog.wired.com/tableofmalcontents/2007/03/a_morphable_mod.html

saw this same animation like a year ago

The software is even older. It is a research project of a german university. They continue to develop it, but do not plan to sell a commercial version soon. The software is based on a still growing database of head scans. As the movie was made, this database was built from 300 scans, they now have about 2000 scans in the database and can simulate the aging of children.

I have seen them at the CeBit Fair here in Hannover, but I am not linked with them in any way. The software they use is made for research use, which may be why they do not sell it. They have published the concepts and methods though.

Do not expect it to be in the shelfs soon. The database is unlikely to fit on a dvd though.

If they are not making a commercial version, then what are they doing it for?

Quote - If they are not making a commercial version, then what are they doing it for?

To prove it can be done?

It seems a bit pointless if no one else can use it.

It's not pointless - that's how software starts. You prove the theory, then someone who wants to make money out of it takes it on and makes a marketable version.

So far everyone's gone 'wow' and haven't offered the theorists money to make it. The theorists are happy because they've proven concept - an achievement in itself. What's now required is some investment by someone who wants to become a billionaire. Any takers?

You would think that some of the bigger 3d companies would jump at the chance to buy it.

There's no need to buy it. It's all published: http://gravis.cs.unibas.ch/publication.html

Quote - The software is even older. It is a research project of a german university. They continue to develop it, but do not plan to sell a commercial version soon. The software is based on a still growing database of head scans. As the movie was made, this database was built from 300 scans, they now have about 2000 scans in the database and can simulate the aging of children.

I have seen them at the CeBit Fair here in Hannover, but I am not linked with them in any way. The software they use is made for research use, which may be why they do not sell it. They have published the concepts and methods though.

Do not expect it to be in the shelfs soon. The database is unlikely to fit on a dvd though.

Thank you for the information, bantha. Perhaps someone will eventually use the techniques employed in a commercial program with a smaller,  more managable database users can customize themselves. It would be a fantastically useful application.

Actually, they had enough time. The software was presented on the Siggraph 1999 if I got it right. A smaller database would simply not work, you need informations how the faces may look to morph in that direction. The database will probably getting bigger, not smaller.

Probably defense and security related applications, so no interest in commercial or end-user markets.

Even if the database is very big, for what the program does it would still be very good for 3d users.  Harddisks now are huge and fairly cheap so a large program is not really a problem.

Attached Link: Volker Blanz' Homepage

Universities here in germany are financed by the state. They usually do not generate much money by selling their stuff. And military research is not that big or important here.

On Volker Blanz Homepage you can see some of the stuff he is doing at the moment. A newspaper article said he rejected offers from Hollywood because he wants to continue with his research.

Xantor, just send him an email and ask. Maybe you can bring us the ultimate face room. Would probably sell well here in the marketplace. :-)