The　Local　Binary　Pattern　(LBP)　algorithm　is　popular　and　widely　used　in　2D　pattern　recognition.　While　in　this　paper,　we　successfully　apply　the　LBP　on　3D　face　recognition　for　the　first　time,　and　propose　a　novel　framework　for　3D　face　recognition　based　on　LBP.　We　first　normalize　the　3D　faces,　and　divide　them　into　many　block　regions　based　on　face　features.　Then,　the　LBP　operator　is　applied　on　each　block　region,　and　the　LBP　histogram　sequence　of　all　the　regions　for　each　individual　is　used　to　represent　the　3D　face.　In　recognition　step,　we　present　three　metric　methods　based　on　the　LBP　operator,　3DLBP,　self-adaptive　LBP　(SLBP),　and　the　weighted　LBP　(WLBP),　to　measure　the　similarity　between　any　two　3D　faces.　At　last,　we　test　the　proposed　algorithm　on　BJUT-3D　face　database　and　achieve　exciting　recognition　performances,　which　demonstrates　that　it　is　feasible　and　effective　to　apply　LBP　on　3D　face　recognition.　©　2010　Binary　Information　Press.