A New Approach for Positioning Human Body Models Utilising the 3D-Graphics Program Blender

Abstract: A finite element human body model (FE HBM) is a detailed virtual model of the human body that, for example, is used for simulating traffic accidents. A problem with HBMs is that there is no simple way to position the HBMs in non-standard positions. As different postures during an impact will affect the body in different ways it is vital to have the ability to position the HBMs. In this project it was investigated if it is possible to position a HBM from THUMS, by first positioning only the skin and skeleton, as control points, in the 3D-graphics program Blender. Thereafter a radial basis function interpolation is utilised to morph the rest of the HBM into the new position. The results indicate that in theory, it is possible to position a HBM using a 3D-graphics software. However, the method developed in this project resulted in a disfigurement of the morphed model. The disfigurement is possibly due to the change in distance between the skin and skeleton when positioning those body parts in Blender.