Digital 2D, 2.5D and 3D Methods for Adding Photo-Realistic Textures to 3D Facial Depictions of People from the Past

Abstract

Facial reconstruction is a technique that can be used to estimate individual faces from human skulls.The presentation of 3D facial reconstructions as photo-realistic depictions of people from the past to public audiences varies widely due to differing methods, the artists' CGI skillset, and access to VFX software required to generate plausible faces. This chapter describes three digital methods for the addition of realistic textures to 3D facial reconstructions; a 2D photo-composite method, a 3D digital painting and rendering method, and a previously undescribed hybrid 2.5D method.These methods are compared and discussed in relation to artistic proficiency, morphological accuracy and practitioner bias.