MC datastation

MoCap System

• a technology by industry leading, Vicon
• V8i datastation
• 15 M-Cam one megapixel camera setup, 6 of these are infrared, suitable also for facial MoCap, typically 120Hz (up to 250Hz) frame rate; up to 3 characters at once in the shot (recommended for high quality data, not a hardware limitation though)
• IQ2 software suite for fast and precise processing of the data
• Up-to-date PC setup, DVD burner for writing data. Compatible with FireWire or USB2 external hard drives (preferably NTFS formatted).
• Wireless optical data gloves by 5DT for basic recording of the fingers. Please note that these gloves are used as a guide for further processing by animators tweaking the data with manually adjusted finger poses. Alternatively, we can record fingers using optical MoCap if cameras are positioned appropriately (will require cameras repositioning).

Other Moves Processing Tools

• Kaydara Filmbox 3.5 and Autodesk Motion Builder 7.5 software for premier retargeting of the moves to the skeleton of the CGI character
• Autodesk Maya/3DS Max animation systems for modifications of incoming CGI characters
• Capable of exporting to any popular data format. We strongly prefer MotionBuilder's FBX open data format that suits us best for most of these tasks.

Mocap Studio

• Large studio setup: 15.5x15.3x5m (49x49x17ft) large purpose built hall, black walls, remotely adjustable lighting minimizes the noise of the signal being recorded.
• Frame on the ceiling and both small and large tripods allows for free positioning of the cameras to almost any imaginable configuration
• Ceiling frame makes it possible to build large blue of green screen and perhaps record FX shot in sync with MoCap actors at the moment; the room can be used for any of those purposes independently, where its characteristics (size, black walls and ability to limit free light to a minimum) are value added features.

• Special devices available for recording of in-game cut scenes or special FX shots: audio playback, video playback (also projected on a wall)
• Large movable staging – the actor can jump from, climb on etc.
• Large gates on both sides allow running through the stage, e.g. horse and rider in motion, a car etc.
• Two large and one small special MoCap suits for free marker positioning on an actor’s body, they also prevent markers from sliding on the actor.
• Reflective markers of various sizes, from 3 to 25mm radius, ready to stick on props and MoCap suits.
• Multiple ladders, chairs, and stools
• 2 mattresses for recording falls
• Set of basic props equipped with markers – rifle, launcher, pistols, microphone, film shutter (for syncing MoCap data to recorded DV video, good for cutter scenes); more on request

3D scanner

3D scanner

• Minolta Vivid 900
• Type of device: laser goniometer
• Resolution: map of 640x480 z-depth values per take
• Distance of object from the scanner: 0.5 ~ 1.5m
• Absolute precision of z-axis measurement: 0.1 to 1mm depending on lens used (lower precision for greater distance from the scanner)
• Optional RGB photo fits to z-data map for easier shell registration or basic texturing
• Software – package able to register multiple shells (merging takes of a object from different angles into one 3D mesh):
  **Minolta tool PET for automatic shell registration
  **Rapid Form (rapidform.com) premier software for advanced processing of most complicated 3D structures
• The device is custom enhanced for additional and  more precise diffuse texture data readings.

Other Studio Equipment

• High speed Internet available on demand for sending processed data anywhere in a moment.
• Telephone and fax
• 220V and 380V electricity available
• DV cameras for optional recording of the takes, high-res digital still cameras with various lenses
• Wireless microphone by AKG for recording sounds e.g. when recording facial MoCap data. Please note that dubbing will be necessary for production purposes due to the reverberation caused by the design of the MoCap hall.
• Building has a fully equipped kitchen, wardrobe room, plenty of space for resting, an area for eating and an area for staff briefings
• Lots of room for parking
• A park on the grounds of the studio for rest or additional rehearsals

The studio

Location

• We are conveniently located just outside of Prague, plenty of space for parking, restaurants and pensions are in vicinity
• Just 45 minutes from Prague International Airport - Ruzyne
• And 30 minutes from the center of Prague.

Advantages

• All data is processed immediately after recording, no extra fees
• Friendly English speaking operators.
• We use the these facilities ourselves and try hard to get the most out of them.
• Also, the operators are not limited to the MoCap only, we can help with mixing various technologies together resulting in surprisingly advantageous combinations. Let us talk to your special effects architect to see what we can do for you.
• And very reasonable pricing. (extremely competitive in this region of the world) Unbeatable price/value ratio and excellent results.