Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a system including a hardware processor and a memory storing a three-dimensional (3D) character data having a topology mesh describing a character. The method includes stabilizing the 3D character data by removing a translational motion and a rotational motion from the 3D character data, determining a range of motion of a plurality of points of the topology mesh describing the character, identifying a plurality of poses for generating an animation, where each of the plurality of poses includes a unique configuration of the plurality of points of the topology mesh, and creating an animatronic including a plurality of actuators configured to instantiate the plurality of poses for generating the animation.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating digital assets that can be used to personalize themed products. For example, a workflow and pipeline used to generate a 3D model from digital images of a person's face and to manufacture a personalized, physical figurine customized with the 3D model are disclosed. The 3D model of the person's face may be simplified to match a topology of a desired figurine. While the topology is deformed to match that of the figurine, the 3D model retains the geometry of the child's face. Simplifying the topology of the 3D model in this manner allows the mesh to be integrated with or attached to a mesh representing desired figurine.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a system including a hardware processor and a memory storing a three-dimensional (3D) character data having a topology mesh describing a character. The method includes stabilizing the 3D character data by removing a translational motion and a rotational motion from the 3D character data, determining a range of motion of a plurality of points of the topology mesh describing the character, identifying a plurality of poses for generating an animation, where each of the plurality of poses includes a unique configuration of the plurality of points of the topology mesh, and creating an animatronic including a plurality of actuators configured to instantiate the plurality of poses for generating the animation.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating digital assets that can be used to personalize themed products. For example, a workflow and pipeline used to generate a 3D model from digital images of a person's face and to manufacture a personalized, physical figurine customized with the 3D model are disclosed. The 3D model of the person's face may be simplified to match a topology of a desired figurine. While the topology is deformed to match that of the figurine, the 3D model retains the geometry of the child's face. Simplifying the topology of the 3D model in this manner allows the mesh to be integrated with or attached to a mesh representing desired figurine.

Abstract: Algorithms for improving the performance of conventional tone mapping operators (TMO) by calculating both a contrast waste score and a contrast loss score for a first tone-mapped image produced by the TMO. The two contrast scores can be used to optimize the performance of the TMO by reducing noise and improving contrast. Algorithms for generating an HDR image by converting non-linear color space images into linear color space format, aligning the images to a reference, de-ghosting the aligned images if necessary, and merging the aligned (and potentially de-ghosted) images to create an HDR image. The merging can be performed with exposure fusion, HDR reconstruction, or other suitable techniques.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating digital assets that can be used to personalize themed products. For example, a workflow and pipeline used to generate a 3D model from digital images of a person's face and to manufacture a personalized, physical figurine customized with the 3D model are disclosed. The 3D model of the person's face may be simplified to match a topology of a desired figurine. While the topology is deformed to match that of the figurine, the 3D model retains the geometry of the child's face. Simplifying the topology of the 3D model in this manner allows the mesh to be integrated with or attached to a mesh representing desired figurine.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a photo album are described. Embodiments analyze a plurality of photo albums to determine photo album characteristics, where each of the plurality of photo albums comprises a respective plurality of digital photographs arranged in a respective order. Here, the plurality of photo albums relate to one or more digital photograph collections. Additionally, a digital photograph collection is processed to determine characteristics of each digital photograph within the digital photograph collection. Embodiments also generate a photo album using digital photographs from the digital photograph collection, based on the determined photograph album characteristics, where the generated photo album comprises a second plurality of digital photographs arranged in a determined order.

Abstract: Algorithms for improving the performance of conventional tone mapping operators (TMO) by calculating both a contrast waste score and a contrast loss score for a first tone-mapped image produced by the TMO. The two contrast scores can be used to optimize the performance of the TMO by reducing noise and improving contrast. Algorithms for generating an HDR image by converting non-linear color space images into linear color space format, aligning the images to a reference, de-ghosting the aligned images if necessary, and merging the aligned (and potentially de-ghosted) images to create an HDR image. The merging can be performed with exposure fusion, HDR reconstruction, or other suitable techniques.

Abstract: An improved modeling system and associated techniques are described herein. In various embodiments, a modeling system generates a spatially local PCA model where the parts are connected with continuity constraints (e.g., soft constraints) in the boundaries. Experimental results on 3D face modeling show that the spatially local PCA model generalizes better than a holistic model. Moreover, the modeling system smoothly varies local control points for face posing in animation.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating digital assets that can be used to personalize themed products. For example, a workflow and pipeline used to generate a 3D model from digital images of a person's face and to manufacture a personalized, physical figurine customized with the 3D model are disclosed. The 3D model of the person's face may be simplified to match a topology of a desired figurine. While the topology is deformed to match that of the figurine, the 3D model retains the geometry of the child's face. Simplifying the topology of the 3D model in this manner allows the mesh to be integrated with or attached to a mesh representing desired figurine.