Method and apparatus for image-based photorealistic 3D face modeling

An apparatus and method for image-based 3D photorealistic head modeling are provided. The method for creating a 3D photorealistic head model includes: detecting frontal and profile features in input frontal and profile images; generating a 3D head model by fitting a 3D genetic model using the detected facial features; generating a realistic texture from the input frontal and profile images; and mapping the texture onto the 3D head model. In the apparatus and method, data obtained using a relatively cheap device, such as a digital camera, can be processed in an automated manner, and satisfactory results can be obtained even from imperfect input data. In other words, facial features can be extracted in an automated manner, and a robust "human-quality" face analysis algorithm is used.