Motion, or performance capture is a relatively new technology and is used in a variety of mediums, as described on the MetaMotion website. This ranges from film and television to computer games and other forms of entertainment. There are a variety motion capture technologies, but essentially, they work by using a large amount of cameras pointing into a centre. These cameras would be calibrated to pick up 'markers'. These would be attached to pre-determined points on a one piece suit. This suit would usually be worn by an actor, who's motion and performance would be recorded.
One of the main system for motion capture is developed by the company known as Vicon. This system usually uses an optical system where by the cameras would pick up the markers, which in this instance would be coated in a reflective substance. This technology has already been used by companies such as EA games, Bungie Studios and Ubisoft. These are used in conjunction with other animating software such as Motionbuilder and 3D Studio Max.
One of the main system for motion capture is developed by the company known as Vicon. This system usually uses an optical system where by the cameras would pick up the markers, which in this instance would be coated in a reflective substance. This technology has already been used by companies such as EA games, Bungie Studios and Ubisoft. These are used in conjunction with other animating software such as Motionbuilder and 3D Studio Max.
This is a great way of recording real motion, with the recorded data available to be placed into software for any fine tuning and tweaks. It can be used in many packages and is certainly the way forward for animation as can also record facial / emotional expression. A good example of this is both the new Rockstar game L.A Noire and this clip from the production house 'House of Moves'
very interesting and is still developing on a yearly basis. However, like many other animating techniques, this technique can be at times cumbersome. Each marker that is picked up by the various cameras must be assigned to each point in the software, so that the software can interpret the data. It can be considered to a laborious task to set up and if the process of marker calibration goes wrong, a lot the data recorded would need a considerable amount of cleaning up. On top of this, as the markers work using a reflective surface, other highly reflective surfaces can confuse the system and could lead to marker confusion. During the calibration set up, every actor involved in the motion capture process would need to have a calibration file setting up for them. This file is unique to them and the session, so can not be used for any other participants. As this technology records at a high key frame speed, any errors would also result in a lengthy clean up job. But despite these issues, it is a very productive way of gaining animation data, which can then be placed onto a rig or character.
Vicon website - http://www.vicon.com/applications/animation.html
Meta Motion - http://www.metamotion.com/motion-capture/motion-capture-who-1.htm
L A Noire - http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/11/the-motion-capture-in-the-l-a-noire-trailer-is-amazing/
The House of Moves - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1dsgAejEGI
Digital Content Producer - http://digitalcontentproducer.com/dcc/revfeat/video_vicon_vicon_iq/
No comments:
Post a Comment