Your first mocap?
Read here»
and do NOT miss
MC checklist!

Motion capture (MoCap) is a system typically used to record real movements of human characters, but it is not limited just to that – basically if reflective markers can be attached, is suitable for recording: from thing as small as an eyelid to a character or to any property like a large sword or even a horse.

Typically, MoCap is used on living creatures. They are hard to hand animate and MoCap simplifies this task greatly.

We offer

• Full Body Motion Capture – Simultaneously recording movements of up to three actors
• Facial Motion Capture – Records the intricate changes in the facial expressions of an actor
• Finger Movement Capture – Use of 14 sensor wireless data glove to copy real motions to virtual fingers
• Props Motion Capture – We can also put markers on things actors use, e.g. swords, clubs, weapons etc.
• Remote Motion Capture – For simple movements, just send a video of what you need, we can play it ourselves and provide data directly, no need to travel to the studio.
• Virtual Camera Recording - Become the director of photography in virtual CG scene

Simply put, MoCap works as human vision does. It has multiple cameras (its eyes) and when at least two of them see a marker, they can determine where that marker is positioned in space. MoCap detects and records the positions of the reflective markers. It does not detect any other objects around them, unless they are extremely shiny, which can cause some problems.

The rig on the ceiling

Parameters of MoCap installation:

• Number of cameras: The more cameras, the better. A person can hide the marker from the camera. For example, covering it with their hand. With more cameras there is a chance that another camera from different angle could still see it. For body motion capture to be successful, a minimum of 8 cameras need to be used; every camera above this means the luxury of larger active volume or a chance to record more characters on place at once.
• Camera's resolution: As with digital cameras, the more the better, especially over long distances from the marker to the camera.
• Frame rate: number of frames recorded each second: Again, the more, the better. 50Hz is suitable for walking and other slow motions; a much faster frame rate is needed for a sprinting person.
• The MoCap Facility: An ideal setup ought to be equipped with a solid floor, framework on the ceiling used to hang cameras on (and perhaps ropes for acrobatic moves!) The room must consist of only darker colors that limit noise light approaching the cameras. Finally, the room must be roughly twice as large as the area you want to record in, that is, if you have a 10x10 meter room the active area will be 5x5 meters. The active area is where moves can be recorded. Simply, cameras have to be distanced from the actor to see them completely; it is the same as taking family photos.

However, success depends vastly also on experienced operators who have to calibrate the system, position the cameras for your needs and keep them running reliably to avoid drop-outs in operation, which may be very costly if a hired actor is on place.

See our MoCap Parameters for more information. See Your First MoCap for information on what the typical Motion capture process consists of - starting with a actor playing the moves, and ending with a CGI character moving in the film. And make sure to check Compatible File Formats.