---
title: "Process of morphing"
subject: "Computer Graphics"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_5/computer_graphics:morphing-process"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/computer_graphics/morphing-process
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Process of morphing

Computer Graphics · Chapter 1: Introduction and Application

- Asked in: 2082 Kartik (new course), 5 marks
- Video: [What is morphing in Computer Graphics | computer graphics and animation full course](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEqrkO5wVOA) — Exam Time
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/computer_graphics/morphing-process
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/computer_graphics/chapter-1

## Question

Illustrate the typical process of morphing in computer graphics.

## Short answer

Morphing combines geometric warping and color blending. Feature points on source and target images are interpolated for each frame, both images are warped to the interpolated positions, then cross-dissolved to produce smooth transitions.

## Answer

**Morphing** is a technique that smoothly changes one image (source) into another (target) over a number of frames, by combining a geometric warp and a colour blend. It is used in movies and animation, e.g. a face transforming into another face.

```text
Source image  --warp-->  \
                          >-- cross-dissolve --> in-between frames
Target image  --warp-->  /
```

**Typical process**
1. **Select the two images** (source and target).
2. **Define corresponding feature points/lines** in both images (eyes, nose, mouth, outline); these give the mapping between the images.
3. **Interpolate the feature points** for each in-between frame *t* (0 ≤ t ≤ 1): P(t) = (1 − t)·P_source + t·P_target.
4. **Warp both images** so that their feature points move to the interpolated positions (source warped forward, target warped backward).
5. **Cross-dissolve (blend colours):** Colour(t) = (1 − t)·Colour_source-warped + t·Colour_target-warped.
6. **Generate and play the frames** in sequence (e.g. 24 or 30 per second) to see the smooth transformation.

The result is a seamless transition between the two images.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Morphing is
   A. a fast cut
   B. smoothly changing a source image into a target via warp and colour blend
   C. mirroring
   D. compressing
   Answer: B. Combines warp and cross-dissolve. (Key point: Definition)

2. Why define corresponding feature points?
   A. to compress
   B. to set colours
   C. They give the mapping between the two images
   D. to choose frame rate
   Answer: C. Eyes, nose, mouth etc. map across. (Key point: Feature points)

3. Feature point at time t is
   A. P_source + P_target
   B. t P_source
   C. P_source - P_target
   D. P(t) = (1 - t) P_source + t P_target
   Answer: D. Linear interpolation. (Key point: Interpolation)

4. Cross-dissolve computes
   A. Colour(t) = (1 - t) source + t target (warped)
   B. max of colours
   C. average of all frames
   D. colour of target only
   Answer: A. Blends warped colours. (Key point: Cross-dissolve)

## Related in Computer Graphics

- [Define computer graphics](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcomputer_graphics%3Awhat-is-computer-graphics) — Computer Graphics, chapter 1, asked 3×
- [Components of computer graphics](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcomputer_graphics%3Acomponents-computer-graphics) — Computer Graphics, chapter 1
- [Short note: Applications of computer graphics](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcomputer_graphics%3Ashort-note-applications-graphics) — Computer Graphics, chapter 1
- [Raster versus vector graphics](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcomputer_graphics%3Araster-vs-vector-graphics) — Computer Graphics, chapter 1, asked 4×
- [Why 3D graphics is more complex than 2D](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcomputer_graphics%3Awhy-3d-more-complex-viewing-pipeline) — Computer Graphics, chapter 4
- [Polygon as standard graphics object](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcomputer_graphics%3Apolygon-standard-graphics-object) — Computer Graphics, chapter 6

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