ScaffoldAvatar: High-Fidelity Gaussian Avatars with Patch Expressions (#SIGGRAPH) We reconstruct ultra-high fidelity photorealistic 3D avatars capable of generating realistic and high-quality animations including freckles and other fine facial details. We operate on patch-based local expression features and increase the representation capacity by synthesizing 3D Gaussians dynamically by leveraging tiny scaffold MLPs conditioned on localized expressions. We further propose a color-based densification and progressive training scheme for improved quality and faster convergence. Project: shivangi-aneja.github.io/pro… Video: youtu.be/VyWkgsGdbkk Great work by @shivangi2201, Sebastian Weiss, Irene Baeza, Prashanth Chandran, Gaspard Zoss, Derek Bradley

A new algorithm solves complicated partial differential equations by breaking them down into simpler problems, potentially guiding computer graphics and geometry processing.
mitsha.re/JbKw50TaN6b

Nothing makes sense

Finally a grounded take on AI & filmmaking from a Hollywood A-lister. I agree with everything Ben Affleck said: 1. Yes, AI will shatter barriers to entry. Budgets will drop, the number of movies will rise, and more voices will have access to filmmaking. Paradoxically, this'll raise the bar for creative quality. 2. Yes, AI will hammer the VFX industry. It's already in a downward spiral, and AI will accelerate that decline. Short term arbitrage oppty, long term an awful business to be in. 3. Yes, customized episodes on demand are inevitable. We'll see new episodes of Game of Thrones long before AI can create an entirely new, coherent and compelling series. Incremental episodes will beat full season automation. 4. Yes, Generative AI is replacing traditional AR filter pipelines. Just look at tools like FLUX AI avatars or Pika Effects. IP holders will create branded content where audiences can "become" the Avengers. Folks are calling these statements wishful thinking. IMO they're grounded in a clear understanding of the state of the art. Agree/disagree?