Learning Resources
Lesson
Morph is short for metamorphosis, a process of transforming from one state to another state. Morphing, when applied to imaging, is the process of transforming from one image to another. The process creates a series of frames that give the illusion of transforming from one image to another image. Typically the process is accomplished automatically through software. The software builds the in-between frames. Some software allows the use of control points in each image, and allows the transformation of the control points to follow a path from one image to the next.
The example below illustrates a morph from one picture to another.
Figure Picture 1 (Frame 1)
Figure Intermediate Morph (Frame 12)
Figure Picture 2 (Frame 24)
Here is the movie of the morph, with 24 frames. Move the mouse over the image to start playing it. Press the ESC key if you wish to stop it before it finishes playing. You may need to right-click on the movie and select Play to play the movie.
Movie Image Morphing (24 frames)
Morphing also includes a related process called warping. Warping applies the process to a single image, making changes to parts of the image over time. Here is a sample warp.
Figure Initial Image before Warping
Movie Image Warp (24 Frames)
Morphing is used for a number of applications, including
- Science. Used for understanding molecular structures and structural changes over time
- Security. Face Recognition.
- Medical Diagnostics—MRI. Takes static Magnetic Resonance Images and builds moving 3D models
- Dentistry. Used to show the before and after transformation of dental surgery and other corrective techniques. Gives patients a better idea of what to expect (Requires a shockwave plug-in)
- Movies. Many special effects are examples of morphing and warping.
For Additional Information
If you would like additional information, here are several starting points
Activity
Assigned Activities
The purpose of these activities is to develop understanding of morphing and warping processes, and to develop basic capability with using morphing software.
Please complete all activities. You will need to use WinMorph (or similar program) for these activities. WinMorph will create a series of images. If you complete the optional components of Step 2 and 3, you will need to use Corel Photo Paint to convert the image series into movies.
Test Yourself
There is no self test for this lesson.