Scaling and modeling physical attributes from anthropometric parameters

Abstract

This research investigates issues in building anthropometrically scaled 3D geometric human models. This work is inspired by the growing need for realistic anthropometry-based human models for the evaluation of workspace designs and simulation of human tasks in computerized 3D, or virtual, environments. Anthropometric attributes are a mixture of numerical and geometric information that define the anatomical characteristics of a human. If collected and applied correctly, they allow the creation of human models that resemble real people in a chosen population. We will first analyze the many aspects of an anthropometry-based virtual human model, followed by a discussion of the types of anthropometric parameters that can be incorporated in such models. We then present our approach to this problem by treating anthropometric specifications as constraints on the human models and discuss how to efficiently manage and satisfy such constraints. In formulating our approaches to the problem we look at both currently available anthropometric data as well as proposed future survey methodologies. This is to ensure that our solutions will be applicable when improved technologies in capturing anthropometric and morphological properties produce richer information content than those available today