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Visage Technologies strives to minimize changes in API and configuration files when releasing new versions of the SDK. The inevitable changes are listed here, together with specific instructions for developers who have the existing applications built with older versions.

For each visage|SDK release, the incremental changes in relation to the previous release are listed. To apply the changes correctly, apply them in order from the older version to the newer version without skipping intermediary versions.

Contents

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visage|SDK 9.

0b1

1

Landmark detection changes:

Expand
titleAdditional landmarks

Additional eyebrows landmarks

  • 8 additional eyebrows landmarks contained in the group 14 (14.5-14.12) are added as part of the extended eyebrows landmarks improvements.

Additional eyes landmarks

  • 28 additional eyes landmarks contained in the group 16 (16.1-16.28) are added as part of the extended eyes landmarks improvements.

Additional lips landmarks

  • 16 additional lips landmarks contained in the group 17 (17.5-17.20) are added as part of the extended lips landmarks improvements.

For more details please see FDP documentation.

Changes in configuration file:

Expand
titleenable_smoothing

enable_smoothing configuration parameter added. Controls whether the tracker output is smoothed with the smoothing_factors parameter or not.

  • Value 0 - Tracker outputs are not smoothed.
  • Value 1 - Tracker outputs are smoothed.


Expand
titletemporally_denoise_input

temporally_denoise_input configuration parameter added. Controls whether the input frames are denoised in the time domain. This parameter is used to minimize noise (such as small variations in the light or electrical noise coming from the camera) in the input images to increase feature point stability and precision.

  • Value 0 - The input frame stream is not denoised.
  • Value 1 - The input frame stream is denoised.


Expand
titleMajor changes in fitting related parameters

Major changes in fitting related parameters:

  • pose_fitting_model configuration parameter replaced with pose_fitting_model_configuration
  • pose_fitting_fdp configuration parameter removed
  • au_fitting_model configuration parameter replaced with au_fitting_model_configuration
  • au_fitting_fdp configuration parameter removed
  • mesh_fitting_model configuration parameter replaced with mesh_fitting_model_configuration
  • mesh_fitting_fdp configuration parameter removed
  • pose_fitting_au_use configuration parameter removed
  • pose_fitting_su_use configuration parameter removed
  • pose_fitting_pose_sensitivity configuration parameter removed
  • pose_fitting_au_sensitivity configuration parameter removed
  • pose_fitting_su_sensitivity configuration parameter removed
  • au_fitting_au_use configuration parameter removed
  • au_fitting_su_use configuration parameter removed
  • au_fitting_au_sensitivity configuration parameter removed
  • au_fitting_su_sensitivity configuration parameter removed
  • mesh_fitting_au_use configuration parameter removed
  • mesh_fitting_su_use configuration parameter removed
  • mesh_fitting_au_sensitivity configuration parameter removed
  • mesh_fitting_su_sensitivity configuration parameter removed
  • au_names configuration parameter removed
  • rotation_limit configuration parameter removed
  • translation_limit configuration parameter removed
  • action_unit_limit configuration parameter removed

For detailed description of these changes consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, section 2.1. for additional information.

API changes:

Expand
titleVisageConfiguration API

C++ API

Introducing new functions for getting and setting enable_smoothing parameter:

  • unsigned int getEnableSmoothing() const;
  • bool setEnableSmoothing(unsigned int enable_smoothing);

Introducing new functions for getting and setting temporally_denoise_input parameter:

  • unsigned int getTemporallyDenoiseInput() const;
  • bool setTemporallyDenoiseInput(unsigned int temporally_denoise_input);

Introducing major changes in fitting related parameters API.
The following API methods have been replaced:

  • get/setPoseFittingModel
    replaced with
    get/setPoseFittingModelConfiguration
  • get/setAuFittingModel
    replaced with
    get/setAuFittingModelConfiguration
  • get/setMeshFittingModel
    replaced with
    get/setMeshFittingModelConfiguration

The following API methods have been removed:

  • get/setPoseFittingFdp
  • get/setAuFittingFdp
  • get/setMeshFittingFdp
  • get/setPoseFittingAuUse
  • get/setPoseFittingSuUse
  • get/setPoseFittingPoseSensitivity
  • get/setPoseFittingAuSensitivity
  • get/setPoseFittingSuSensitivity
  • get/setAuFittingAuUse
  • get/setAuFittingSuUse
  • get/setAuFittingAuSensitivity
  • get/setAuFittingSuSensitivity
  • get/setMeshFittingAuUse
  • get/setMeshFittingSuUse
  • get/setMeshFittingAuSensitivity
  • get/setMeshFittingSuSensitivity
  • get/setAuNames
  • get/setRotationLimit
  • get/setTranslationLimit
  • get/setActionUunitLimit

Introducing new functions for getting and setting pose_fitting_model_configuration, au_fitting_model_configuration, mesh_fitting_model_configuration parameters respectively:

  • const std::string& getPoseFittingModelConfiguration() const;
  • bool setPoseFittingModelConfiguration(std::string pose_fitting_model_configuration);
  • const std::string& getAuFittingModelConfiguration() const;
  • bool setAuFittingModelConfiguration(std::string au_fitting_model_configuration);
  • const std::string& getMeshFittingModelConfiguration() const;
  • bool settMeshFittingModelConfiguration(std::string mesh_fitting_model_configuration);

C# API is updated accordingly.


Expand
titleFDP class

C++ API

  • FDP group 14 (additional eyebrows landmarks) has been updated as part of extended eyebrows landmark tracking feature.

  • FDP group 16 (additional eyes landmarks) has been added as part of extended eyes landmark tracking feature.

  • FDP group 17 (additional lips landmarks) has been added as part of extended lips landmark tracking feature.

Additional information pertaining eyes and lips tracking are documented under paragraph Landmark detection changes.

Please note: FDP files saved with visage|SDK 9.1 will not be backwards compatible with previous versions due to the addition of new FDP points.
Using FDP::readFromFile() to load an 9.1 FDP file in an earlier version of the SDK will lead to undefined behavior.

C# API is updated accordingly.

Data files changes:

Expand
titleData files

Modified

  • Tracking algorithm data (vft/fa) - d1qy.vino.bin, d1qy.vino.xml, d2.vino.bin, d2.vino.xml and aux_file.bin.
  • Face model data (vft/fm) - jk_300.fdp, which maps new lips landmarks to appropriate vertices of the face model.

Projects using older versions of these files should be updated to contain the newest data files from the data folder.

Sample changes:

Expand
titleAll samples

Samples displaying feature points are updated to draw additional lip points.

visage|SDK 9.1b3

Changes in configuration file

Expand
titletemporally_denoise_input

temporally_denoise_input configuration parameter added.  Controls whether the input frames are denoised in the time domain. This parameter is used to minimize noise (such as small variations in the light or electrical noise coming from the camera) in the input images to increase feature point stability and precision. 

  • Value 0 - the input frame stream is not denoised.
  • Value 1 - the input frame stream is denoised.

For detailed description of these changes consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, section 2.1. for additional information.


API changes:

Expand
titleVisageConfiguration API

C++ API:

Introducing new functions for getting and setting temporally_denoise_input parameter:

  • unsigned int getTemporallyDenoiseInput() const;
  • bool setTemporallyDenoiseInput(unsigned int temporally_denoise_input);


C# API is updated accordingly.


visage|SDK 9.1b2

Landmark detection changes

Expand
titleAdditional lips landmarks

16 additional lips landmarks contained in the group 17 (17.5-17.20) are added as part of the extended lips landmarks improvements.

For more details please see FDP documentation.

Changes in configuration file

Expand
titleenable_smoothing

enable_smoothing configuration parameter added. Controls whether the tracker output is smoothed with the smoothing_factors parameter or not.

  • Value 0 - tracker outputs are not smoothed.
  • Value 1 - tracker outputs are smoothed.

For detailed description of these changes consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, section 2.1. for additional information.

API changes:

Expand
titleVisageConfiguration API

C++ API:

Introducing new functions for getting and setting enable_smoothing parameter:

  • unsigned int getEnableSmoothing() const;
  • bool setEnableSmoothing(unsigned int enable_smoothing);


C# API is updated accordingly.


Expand
titleFDP class

C++ API:

FDP group 17 (additional lips landmarks) has been added as part of extended lips landmark tracking feature. Additional information pertaining lip tracking are documented under paragraph Landmark detection changes.

Please note: FDP files saved with visage|SDK 9.1 will not be backwards compatible with previous versions due to the addition of new FDP points.
Using FDP::readFromFile() to load an 9.1 FDP file in an earlier version of the SDK will lead to undefined behaviour.


C# API is updated accordingly.

Data files changes

Expand
titleData files
  • Tracking algorithm data (vft/fa) - d1qy.vino.bin, d1qy.vino.xml, d2.vino.bin, d2.vino.xml and aux_file.bin.
  • Face model data (vft/fm) - jk_300.fdp, which maps new lips landmarks to appropriate vertices of the face model.

Projects using older versions of these files should be updated to contain the newest data files from the data folder.

Sample changes

Expand
titleShowcaseDemo and VisageTrackerUnityDemo

Samples displaying feature points are updated to draw additional lip points.


visage|SDK 9.0


General


Expand
titleMulti-frame analysis feature

VisageFaceAnalyser now offers multi-frame analysis functionality which performs estimations on the selected high-quality frames and returns an averaged, smoothed value. This functionality is available via the VisageFaceAnalyser::analyseStream() function.


Expand
titleNew tracking algorithm models

Introducing smaller and faster tracking algorithm models while retaining the same accuracy which completely replace the old models that will no longer be distributed.


Expand
titleNew age and gender estimation models

Introducing smaller, faster and more accurate age and gender estimation models which completely replace the old models that will no longer be distributed.

API changes

Expand
titleFaceData

C++ API:

VisageSDK namespace

Introducing new FaceData class member for getting the face bounding box:

  • FaceData::faceBoundingBox

C# API:

VisageCSWrapper namespace

Introducing new FaceData class member for getting the face bounding box:

  • FaceData.FaceBoundingBox


Expand
titleVisageFaceAnalyser API

C++ API:

VisageFaceAnalyser API was refactored to optimise usage and to include newly introduced multi-frame analysis feature.

Old face analysis functions were removed:

  • VisageFaceAnalyser::estimateAge()
  • VisageFaceAnalyser::estimateGender()
  • VisageFaceAnalyser::estimateEmotion()

and replaced with new ones:

  • VFAReturnCode VisageFaceAnalyser::analyseImage(const VsImage* image, const FaceData& faceData, const int options, AnalysisData& results)
  • VFAReturnCode VisageFaceAnalyser::analyseStream(const VsImage* frame, const FaceData& faceData, const int options, AnalysisData& results, const int faceIndex = 0)
  • void VisageFaceAnalyser::resetStreamAnalysis(const int faceIndex = -1)

Three separate calls to old analysis estimation functions can now be performed by a single call to analyseImage() or analyseStream() where parameter options specifies which analysis operations to perform.

For more details on the updated API please see VisageFaceAnalyser API documentation.

Introducing new AnalysisData structure which contains face analysis results (age, gender and emotions) returned by the VisageFaceAnalyser::analyseImage() and VisageFaceAnalyser::analyseStream() functions.


C# API:

Due to native VisageFaceAnalyser API changes, VisageCSWrapper's VisageFaceAnalyser API was updated accordingly.
New AnalysisData structure which contains face analysis results (age, gender and emotions) was added as well.



Expand
titleVisageFeaturesDetector API

C++ API:

Prototype of VisageFeaturesDetector constructor and the following method has been changed:

  • VisageFeaturesDetector()
    to:
    VisageFeaturesDetector(const char* detectorConfigFile)
  • bool VisageFeaturesDetector::Initialize(const char* path)
    to:
    bool VisageFeaturesDetector::Initialize()

For more details please see VisageFeaturesDetector API documentation.


C# API:

Prototype of VisageFeaturesDetector constructor has been changed:

  • VisageFeaturesDetector()
    to:
    VisageFeaturesDetector(string detectorConfigFile)

Following method has been removed:

  • bool VisageFeaturesDetector::Initialize(String path)

For more details please see VisageFeaturesDetector API documentation.



Expand
titleVisageConfiguration API

C++ API:

Introducing new functions for getting and setting specific data paths required by tracking algorithm:

  • const string& getVftDataPath(void) const
  • const string& getVfdDataPath(void) const
  • const string& getPrDataPath(void) const
  • const string& getErDataPath(void) const
  • bool setVftDataPath(string vft_data_path)
  • bool setVfdDataPath(string vfd_data_path)
  • bool setPrDataPath(string pr_data_path)
  • bool setErDataPath(string er_data_path)

Removed functions for getting and setting the obsolete data path no longer required by tracking algorithm:

  • const string& getBdtsDataPath() const
    bool setBdtsDataPath(string bdts_data_path)


C# API:

VisageConfiguration class contains new public attributes:

  • VisageConfiguration.VftDataPath
  • VisageConfiguration.VfdDataPath
  • VisageConfiguration.PrDataPath
  • VisageConfiguration.ErDataPath

Removed public attribute:

  • VisageConfiguration.BdtsDataPath

Data folder changes:

Expand
titleData structure


Data filesOld locationNew location
Face analysis data filesbdtsdata/LBF/vfadatavfa
Face recognition data filesbdtsdata/NN/fr.*vfr
Tracking algorithm data filesbdtsdata/FF/vnnvft/ff
bdtsdata/NN/vnnvft/fa
Tracking features data filesbdtsdata/NN/pr.*vft/pr

bdtsdata/NN/*.lbfvft/er
3D models data filesrootvft/fm


Data files changes:

Expand
titleData files


Removed

  • Old tracking algorithm data (vft/fa) - landmarks.bin and init_shape.bin
  • Old gender estimation data (vfa/gd) - gd.lbf
  • Old data path parameter - bdts_data_path parameter

Added

  • New tracking algorithm data (vft/fa) - aux_file.bin


  • New gender estimation data (vfa/gd) - gd.vino.bin and gd.vino.xml
    • New data path parameters:
      • vft_data_path - path to the folder tracking algorithm data files required by tracker
      • vfd_data_path - path to the folder containing algorithm data file required by tracker and detector
      • pr_data_path - path to the folder containing containing pupils' refinement data files
      • er_data_path - path to the folder containing ears' refinement data files


      Configuration files using the removed

 bdts_data_path 

    parameter should be updated to use new data paths instead.

Modified

  • Age estimation data (vfa/ad) - ae.vino.bin and ae.vino.xml
  • Tracking algorithm data (vft/fa) - d1qy.vino.bin, d1qy.vino.xml, d2.vino.bin and d2.vino.xml

Projects using older versions of these files should be updated to contain the newest data files from the data folder.

visage|SDK 8.8

General

Expand
titleFace tracking and detection algorithms

The default legacy algorithm that could be allowed via the use_vnn configuration parameter (value 0) has been removed. The VNN algorithm is now the default and only tracking and detection algorithm.

The algorithm can be configured to improve feature points precision and robustness, over tracking speed (performance) by setting the refine_landmarks parameter to 1 in the configuration file. Otherwise, when performance is preferred over feature points precision, the recommendation is to disable refine_landmarks parameter by setting it to 0 in the configuration file.


Expand
titleFace tracking and detection with protection masks

Face tracking and detection algorithms are enhanced so that they can track and detect faces wearing protective masks of various colors and patterns.


Landmark detection changes:

Expand
titleContour landmarks

Visible contour landmarks from group 13 (13.1-13.17) are no longer available (not detected or estimated). Instead, contour landmarks are now provided only in the form of a physical contour within group 15 (15.1-15.17). For more details please see FDP documentation.


Changing the detection of contour points from visible to physical results in improved stability and accuracy of the 3D head-pose estimation.


API changes

Expand
titleGetting SDK version

Introducing new C++ and C# API for getting SDK version: 

C++

const char* getVisageSDKVersion(void)

Introducing new function in VisageSDK namespace for getting SDK version. Prototype is declared in the following headers; VisageTracker.h, VisageFeaturesDetector.h, VisageFaceRecognition.h, VisageFaceAnalyser.h and VisageGazeTracker.h

C#

VisageSDKVersion class with method: 

String^ Get(void)
Introducing VisageSDKVersion class in VisageCSWrapper namespace with method for getting SDK version



Expand
titleLiveness API

Parameter *frame is now mandatory for the following method: 

VisageLivenessBlink::update(const FaceData *faceData, VsImage *frame)


Expand
titleGetting face rotation

Introducing new FaceData class member for getting the rotation of the face from the camera viewpoint: 

C++

FaceData::faceRotationApparent

C#

FaceData::faceRotationApparent



Changes in configuration file

Expand
titleRemoved


ParametersFiles

use_vnn

Facial Features Tracker - Ultra.cfg

lbf_stage_modifier

Facial Features Tracker - Low.cfg

lbf_nperturb


lbf_nperturb_threads



Info

For detailed description of these changes, consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, paragraph 2.1.Configuration parameters.



Expand
titleRenamed

Facial Features Tracker - High.cfg to Facial Features Tracker.cfg
Facial Features Tracker - High - With Ears.cfg to Facial Features Tracker - With Ears.cfg


Expand
titleAdded

refine_landmarks parameter

Parameter value

Effect

0

landmarks refinement is disabled

1

landmarks refinement is enabled


Info

For detailed description of these changes, consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, paragraph 2.1.Configuration parameters.



Expand
titleModified


Configuration fileEffect

Facial Features Tracker.cfg

refine_landmarks parameter set to 1 (enabled)

Head Tracker.cfg 

refine_landmarks parameter set to 0 (disabled)


Info

For detailed description of these changes, consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, paragraph 2.1.Configuration parameters.

If you want to update your existing configuration files, it is recommended to copy the parameters values from Facial Features Tracker.cfg configuration file supplied in this package. 



Data files changes

Expand
titleRemoved

As a consequence of improving algorithms, removing legacy algorithm, there are certain changes in the data files.

API

Status

Location

Files/Folders

VisageTracker
VisageFeaturesDetector

Status
colourRed
titleremoved

bdtsdata/NN/

fa.lbf, fc.lbf, is.bin, model.vino.bin, model.vino.xml

VisageTracker
VisageFeaturesDetector

Status
colourRed
titleremoved

bdtsdata/FF/

ff.dat

VisageTracker
VisageFeaturesDetector

Status
colourRed
titleremoved

bdtsdata/LBF/

lv

VisageTracker
VisageFeaturesDetector

Status
colourRed
titleremoved

bdtsdata/NN/vnn

std_dev_image.bin, mean_image.bin

VisageTracker
VisageFeaturesDetector

Status
colourYellow
titleMODIFIED

bdtsdata/NN/vnnbdtsdata/NN/vnn


Info

Projects using older versions of these files should be updated to contain the newest data files from the bdtsdata folder.


Sample changes

Expand
titleDrawing

Samples displaying feature points are updated to draw physical contour points.

visage|SDK 8.7

General

Expand
titleNeural network runner replacement

The in-house developed runner is no longer available and is being replaced by OpenVINO™ toolkit, which is now the only and default neural network runner.

Tip

OpenVINO™ toolkit significantly improves the performance of visage|SDK algorithms.

It is implemented in the following libraries:

  • OVPlugin.dll,

  • inference_engine.dll,

  • MKLDNNPlugin.dll,

  • mkl_tiny_tbb.dll,

  • tbb.dll

  • libmmd.dll,

  • svml_dispmd.dll

Note

These libraries are dependencies of libVisageVision64.dll and should now be included in projects along with other visage|SDK libraries. Additionally, OpenVINO™ toolkit requires its own set of data files with extensions .vino.bin and .vino.xml provided in Samples/data/bdtsdata.

OpenVINO is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries.


Expand
titleNew face recognition model

The old face recognition model is being replaced by a smaller, faster and more accurate face recognition model.


Expand
titleNew face detection model

Introducing a more accurate and robust face detection model. The new model is used in face tracking and face detection when use_vnn configuration parameter is set to 1. Otherwise, the previous face detection model will be used.

Info

For more information about using VNN detection algorithm, please consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, paragraph 2.1.Configuration parameters and VisageFeaturesDetector documentation.



Expand
titleVNN tracking algorithm fast mode

VNN algorithm can now be configured for better performance, at the cost of feature points precision. This mode is enabled by setting use_vnn parameter in configuration file to 1.

Info

Recommended for usage when performance is preferred over feature points precision, e.g. when interested in fast performing head pose (head rotation and translation) estimation.


API changes

Expand
titleVisageFaceRecognition

Added support for multiple image format for extractDescriptor() and addDescriptor()methods.

extractDescriptor()

In addition to RGB and grayscale, now accepts RGBA input image

addDescriptor()

In addition to RGB, now accepts RGBA and grayscale input image


Changes in configuration file

Expand
titleuse_vnn parameter change

use_vnn configuration parameter added to VisageFeaturesDetector configuration file FaceDetector.cfg(located in Samples/data/bdstdata) and set to value 1.

Info

VNN algorithm will be used in VisageFeaturesDetector API by default.

use_vnn configuration parameter values changed and additional value added:

Parameter value

Effect

0

VNN algorithm is disabled, default tracking algorithm and detection model are used

1

VNN algorithm enabled in fast mode, at the cost of feature points precision

2

VNN algorithm enabled, improved precision, accuracy and robustness


Info

For detailed description of these changes, consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, paragraph 2.1.Configuration parameters.

If you want to update your existing configuration files, it is recommended to copy the parameters values from Facial Features Tracker - Ultra.cfg configuration file supplied in this package.


Data files changes

Expand
titleData files modification

As a consequence of improving algorithms, removing in-house developed runner, and improving VNN algorithm, there are certain changes in the data files.

API

Status

Location

Files/Folders

VisageFaceRecognition

Status
colourRed
titleremoved

bdtsdata/NN/

fr.bin

VisageFaceAnalyser

Status
colourRed
titleremoved

bdtsdata/LBF/vfadata/ad/

ae.bin

VisageTracker
VisageFeaturesDetector

Status
colourRed
titleremoved

bdtsdata/NN/

pr.bin, model.bin

VisageFaceRecognition

Status
colourPurple
titleADDED

bdtsdata/FF/vnn/

fr.vino.bin, fr.vino.xml

VisageTracker
VisageFeaturesDetector

Status
colourPurple
titleADDED

bdtsdata/FF/vnn/

ff.vino.bin, ff.vino.xml

VisageTracker
VisageFeaturesDetector

Status
colourYellow
titleMODIFIED

bdtsdata/NN/vnn

bdtsdata/NN/vnn


Info

Projects using older versions of these files should be updated to contain the newest data files from the bdtsdata folder.


Sample changes

Expand
titleVisageTrackerUnityDemo switching from BGR to RGB

VisageTrackerUnityPlugin

Function _grabFrame() captures RGB image, instead of BGR image.

VisageTrackerUnityDemo

The previously used BGRATex texture shader for applying captured frame image data was replaced with RGBATex texture shader (Tracker.cs script).


visage|SDK 8.6.1

General

Expand
titleConfigurable neural network runners

To improve the performance of our algorithms and to support a wider variety of neural network models, we are introducing a configurable framework for choosing between different neural network runners.

As a result, additional configuration file NeuralNet.cfg is now included in visage|SDK (located in Samples/data). This file allows the users to configure which runner will be used by visage|SDK. Users can choose between:

  • Visage Technologies' runner developed in-house and

  • OpenVINO™ toolkit.

For more information on the parameters of NeuralNet.cfg file see the API page.

OpenVINO is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries.


Expand
titleConfigurable tracking algorithm

New experimental algorithm for face tracking and alignment introduced - VNN algorithm.

For the price of slightly reduced tracking speed/performance, it significantly improves tracking quality and robustness. VisageTracker and VisageFeaturesDetector can be configured to use VNN algorithm via configuration parameter - use_vnn.

Info

For more information on use_vnn parameter, please consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, paragraph 2.1.Configuration parameters and VisageTracker class documentation.


Tip

It is recommended to use VNN algorithm with OpenVINO™ toolkit which significantly improves the speed of running neural networks, thus mitigating any performance reductions.

OpenVINO is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries.


API changes

Expand
titleVisageConfiguration API

Introducing new C++ and C# API for programmatically changing VisageTracker configuration parameters, including new additional classes and templates:

VisageConfiguration

Modify configuration parameters on the fly

VsCfgArr

Helper template structure for storing various VisageConfiguration array data types

The aforementioned classes are used in conjunction with new VisageTracker methods:

C++

VisageConfiguration VisageTracker::getTrackerConfiguration()

void VisageTracker::setTrackerConfiguration(VisageConfiguration &configuration)

C#

VisageConfiguration VisageCSWrapper.VisageTracker.GetTrackerConfiguration()

void VisageCSWrapper.VisageTracker.SetTrackerConfiguration(VisageConfiguration configuration)


Note

There are slight differences in usage between C++ and C#. For example, C++ API uses helper structure VsCfgArr to return specific data types where C# uses native C# types.


Info

VisageConfiguration and VsCfgArr class documentation contains more details and examples of usage in code.



Expand
titleFDP class

FDP group 10 (ears) has been extended from 10 to 24 points (12 points per ear) as part of the ear tracking feature.

Info

FDP files saved with visage|SDK 8.6 will not be backwards compatible with the previous versions due to the addition of new FDP points.

Using FDP::readFromFile() to load an 8.6 FDP file in an earlier version of the visage|SDK will lead to undefined behavior.



Expand
titleDeprecation notice

VisageTracker method stop has been deprecated from both APIs.

C++

VisageTracker::stop()

C#

VisageCSWrapper.VisageTracker.Stop()



Expand
titleLicensing

Prototype of method

void initializeLicenseManager(const char *licenseKeyFileName)

changed to

int initializeLicenseManager(const char *licenseKeyFileName)

Info

It is no longer necessary to declare the licensing function prototype explicitly within your code. Including any of the following headers will also include the licensing prototype:

  • VisageTracker.h

  • VisageFeaturesDetector.h

  • VisageFaceRecognition.h

  • VisageFaceAnalyser.h



Expand
titleC# API

FeaturePoint class and FDP class have additional property and functions, respectively to conform with the C++ API.

FeaturePoint

FeaturePoint.detected

FDP

bool FDP::FPIsDetected(int group, int n)
bool FDP::FPIsDetected(String name)


Info

1 indicates that the feature point is obtained from a 2D image using the tracking algorithm. 0 indicates that the feature point is estimated from fitting a 3D model onto the detected feature points of the face.


Changes in configuration file

Expand
titleNew configuration files

Two additional configuration files have been added. One for the ear tracking feature and one for the novel tracking algorithm.

Configuration name

Parameter changed/added

Parameter value

Facial Features Tracker - High - With Ears.cfg

efine_ears
*_fitting_model
*_fitting_fdp

1
jk_300_wEars.wfm
jk_300_wEars.fdp

Facial Features Tracker - Ultra.cfg

use_vnn

1


Info

For detailed description of these changes consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, paragraph 1.1.Standard configuration files

If you want to update your existing configuration files, it is recommended to copy the parameters values from Facial Features Tracker - Ultra.cfg configuration file supplied in this package.



Expand
titleNew configuration parameter - refine_ears and use_vnn
  • refine_ears parameter added, off (0) by default. Toggles the tracking and refinement of ear points (group 10) for VisageTracker and VisageFeaturesDetector.

Info

Used together with ears 3D model - jk_300_wEars.wfm

  • use_vnn parameter added, off (0) by default. Toggles usage of the new experimental algorithm for face tracking and alignment - VNN algorithm

Info

For detailed description of these changes, consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, paragraph 2.1.Configuration parameters.


Tip

If you want to update your existing configuration files, it is recommended to copy the parameters values from Facial Features Tracker - High.cfg configuration file supplied in this package.


3D Model changes

Expand
titleEar tracking 3D model

A new model file has been added for ear tracking functionality - jk_300_wEars.wfm. The model contains an additional 334 polygons and its vertices are mapped to 14 new FDP points in group 10 (10.11 - 10.24).

Info

For detailed description of these changes, consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, paragraph 2.3.The 3D models used in tracking


Data files changes

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titleEar tracking models and data

New data files and model files for ear tracking added

Location

Files

Samples/data/bdtsdata/NN

efa.lbf
efc.lbf

Samples/data/

jk_300_wEars.wfm
jk_300_wEars.fdp



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titleVNN algorithm data files

New data folder and data files added for VNN algorithm in Samples/data/bdtsdata/NN/vnn

Tip

Projects using older versions of these files should be updated to contain the newest data files from the bdtsdata folder.


Sample changes

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titleFacialAnimationUnityDemo deprecation notice

FacialAnimationUnityDemo sample application has been removed and will no longer be distributed.


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titleUnity projects distribution changes

VisageTrackerUnityDemo sample applicationisdistributed as a Unity project, not as a prebuilt application.

Build and run instructions are provided in the VisageTrackerUnityDemo sample documentation.



Info

Instructions on visage|SDK integration with Unity can be found here.






visage|SDK 8.5

Changes in configuration file

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titleSmoothing factors values and range
  • smoothing_factors parameter
    Due to the re-implementation of the smoothing algorithm in VisageTracker, default values and optimal ranges for this parameter have been changed in all configurations.

Info

Please consult VisageTracker Configuration Manual, paragraph 2.1.Configuration parameters for additional information.


Tip

If you want to update your existing configuration files, it is recommended to copy the parameters values from Facial Features Tracker - High.cfg configuration file supplied in this package.


Sample changes

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titleShowcaseDemo C# drawing

VisageRendering.cs:

Methods DisplayEmotion() and DisplayAgeGenderName() have changed the prototypes from:

Code Block
public void DisplayEmotion(FaceData trackingData, float[] emotions, int width, int height,
                           bool face_recognition_mode=false)
public void DisplayAgeGenderName(FaceData trackingData, float age, int gender, string name, 
                                 int width, int height, int drawingOptions, 
                                 bool face_recognition_mode=false)

to:

Code Block
public void DisplayEmotion(FaceData trackingData, float[] emotions, int width, int height, 
                           bool display_background = false)
public void DisplayAgeGenderName(FaceData trackingData, float age, int gender, string name, 
                                 int width, int height, bool display_background = true)


Build tools changes

Libraries built with msvc100 are no longer supported within the package.

Data files changes

visage|SDK data files located in Samples/data/bdtsdata folder have been updated.

Copy all files located in the Samples/data/bdtsdata folder to appropriate folders in any existing application.

FaceData::faceBoundingBox