Multiple cameras ring the performance space so that by employing real-time triangulation, the Vicon software can locate points on the actors within 3D space to construct movement. Bonita, their latest entry level product line, uses a combination of small IR (infra-red) reflective markers on the actor’s suit along with cameras that employ IR LED lights. Let’s take a brief look at marker-based motion-capture technology, such as a setup from the well established British-based company Vicon. "Now, the use of mocap for animation won't be limited by your budget but only by the amount of creativity you can offer." "I would compare older mocap solutions to antiquated mainframe computers," says Nikonov. He was part of a team from Samsung that received a patent for an innovative markerless approach to motion capture this past year.Īccording to Nikonov, markerless motion capture is not only able to compete with established approaches to mocap, but it is poised to become the predominant system in the future as its accuracy is already very comparable to standard marker-based systems employed by Hollywood. But how justified was it? After putting it through its paces, I came up with an interesting conclusion.īefore I put iPiSoft's technology to the test, however, let’s first hear from the man behind this innovative software: Michael Nikonov, iPiSoft's founder and chief technology architect. iPiSoft’s app and two Kinects, meanwhile, constitute a minimal package that also doesn’t require alternate gear such as inertial sensors, nor teams of technicians or even dedicated studio space. While these reflective objects affixed to an actor’s suit have traditionally been used to track motion, the use of them raises the price of a setup. The setup also promised to do mocap without the use of markers.
When used with two standard Microsoft Kinect motion sensors, here was a product that promised to deliver accurate motion capture for a fraction of the cost of traditional mocap systems. When I first heard about iPiSoft's markerless motion capture technology, I was intrigued. But is this a usable combo for small producers considering a mocap-based project? Now, iPi Desktop Motion Capture software from Moscow-based iPiSoft combined with Microsoft’s Kinect interface has pushed mocap down to a price point well under $1000. However, in the decades since mocap began as a tool for photogrammetric analysis in biomechanics research, advances in technology have continued to drop the price point of entry. However, until recently, only productions capable of investing in many thousands of dollars worth of cameras and software from companies such as Polhemus and Vicon Systems could even consider using this approach. For many styles of animation, going with mocap instead of traditional animation saves time and cuts budgets. Motion capture or mocap has made its place as part of a modern animator’s toolkit.