%0 Journal Article
	%A Nicoletta Adamo-Villani
	%D 2008
	%J International Journal of Computer and Information Engineering
	%B World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
	%I Open Science Index 20, 2008
	%T 3D Rendering of American Sign Language Finger-Spelling: A Comparative Study of Two Animation Techniques
	%U https://publications.waset.org/pdf/11425
	%V 20
	%X In this paper we report a study aimed at determining
the most effective animation technique for representing ASL
(American Sign Language) finger-spelling. Specifically, in the study
we compare two commonly used 3D computer animation methods
(keyframe animation and motion capture) in order to ascertain which
technique produces the most 'accurate', 'readable', and 'close to
actual signing' (i.e. realistic) rendering of ASL finger-spelling. To
accomplish this goal we have developed 20 animated clips of fingerspelled
words and we have designed an experiment consisting of a
web survey with rating questions. 71 subjects ages 19-45 participated
in the study. Results showed that recognition of the words was
correlated with the method used to animate the signs. In particular,
keyframe technique produced the most accurate representation of the
signs (i.e., participants were more likely to identify the words
correctly in keyframed sequences rather than in motion captured
ones). Further, findings showed that the animation method had an
effect on the reported scores for readability and closeness to actual
signing; the estimated marginal mean readability and closeness was
greater for keyframed signs than for motion captured signs. To our
knowledge, this is the first study aimed at measuring and comparing
accuracy, readability and realism of ASL animations produced with
different techniques.
	%P 2676 - 2681