The Animator's Motion Capture Guide

by Liverman, Matt

• ISBN13: 9781584502913
• ISBN10: 1584502916
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-30
• Publisher: Charles River Media
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Character motion is one of the most critical elements in creating a believable look for a video game, animated project, or movie special effect. Good character motion can quickly take the viewer into the imaginary world and help sell the scene, while bad character motion can just as quickly ruin the believability of a game or scene. Without a doubt, motion capture gives you the most realistic synthetic motion possible, and for this reason many companies use motion capture as the source for many of their animations. The Animator's Motion Capture Guide is written for all levels of animators, artists, project managers, and companies who wish to handle their motion capture effectively and efficiently. It is written from a motion coordinator's (lead animator's) point of view and gives a plan for handling motion capture, whether on a single project or multiple projects. It provides you with a complete, start-to-finish plan for dealing with motion capture, hints on selecting a motion capture service bureau, how to cut costs, and how to streamline your process. It also gives you a motion capture glossary and lists of motion capture service bureaus and performers. This book is a "must-have" for animators, managers, and video game companies who want to approach motion capture in a uniform, thorough, professional, and efficient manner.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Foreword	xiii
Preface	xvii
CHAPTER 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO MOTION CAPTURE	1	(20)
Types of Motion Capture Systems	7	(2)
Approaches to Animating	9	(2)
Basic Principles of Animation	11	(3)
Motion Capture and the Principles of Animation	14	(5)
The Preparation Phase	15	(1)
The Capture Session Phase	16	(1)
The Post Capture Phase	17	(2)
Conclusion	19	(2)
CHAPTER 2 MOTION CAPTURE AND YOUR PROJECT	21	(18)
Deciding If Motion Capture Is Right for Your Project	22	(9)
Common Errors when Considering Motion Capture	31	(1)
Using Motion Capture	32	(3)
A Coordinated Approach	35	(2)
Conclusion	37	(2)
CHAPTER 3 THE MOTION LIST	39	(28)
Non-Linear Motions	41	(1)
Linear Motions	42	(1)
The In-Game Motion List	43	(5)
Core Motions	46	(1)
Looping Motions	47	(1)
The Motion List Process	48	(12)
The Wish List	54	(2)
Reducing the List	56	(4)
Excerpt from the CARRION Motion List	60	(1)
The Cinematic Motion List	61	(3)
Storyboard Breakdown	62	(2)
Conclusion	64	(3)
CHAPTER 4 FLOWCHARTS AND MOTION DIAGRAMS	67	(16)
Greater State flowcharts	69	(8)
Motion Set Flowcharts	77	(3)
Motion Diagrams	80	(2)
Conclusion	82	(1)
CHAPTER 5 THE MOTION DATABASE	83	(22)
Types of Databases	85	(17)
The In-Game Database	85	(3)
Database Sheet Explanation	88	(7)
The Cinematic Database	95	(4)
Planning Cinematic Sequence	99	(3)
Conclusion	102	(3)
CHAPTER 6 DIRECTORY STRUCTURE AND FILENAMING CONVENTION	105	(22)
Directory Structure	107	(9)
The Backup Directory	108	(2)
The Characters Directory	110	(1)
The Documents (Docs) Directory	111	(1)
The motions Directory	112	(3)
The Utilities (Utils) Directory	115	(1)
Filenaming Convention	116	(9)
The CARRION Naming Convention	117	(7)
Unix- and Linux-Based Organization Considerations	124	(1)
Conclusion	125	(2)
CHAPTER 7 MARKERS AND MARKER CONFIGURATION	127	(14)
Markers	128	(11)
Body Markers	131	(2)
Marker Placement	133	(6)
Conclusion	139	(2)
CHAPTER 8 SELECTING A MOTION CAPTURE STUDIO	141	(32)
Basic Features and Services to Look For in a Motion Capture Studio	142	(4)
Additional Features and Services a Motion Capture Studio May Provide	145	(1)
Capture Session Bids	146	(8)
Basic Types of Bids	146	(1)
Getting a Bid for Your Project	147	(7)
The Preproduction Meeting or Conference Call	154	(5)
The Contract	159	(11)
Areas to Pay Particular Attention to in the Contract	170	(1)
Conclusion	171	(2)
CHAPTER 9 MOTION PERFORMERS, STUNT COORDINATION, AND DIRECTING	173	(22)
Types of Motion Performers	174	(9)
Animal Performers	175	(2)
Athletic Motion Performers	177	(2)
Character Motion Performers	179	(1)
Stunt Motion Performers	180	(1)
The Ultimate Motion Performer	181	(2)
Performer Auditions	183	(1)
Motion Performer Safety and Comfort	184	(4)
Stunt Coordination	188	(1)
Directing a Capture Session	189	(3)
Paying Motion Performers	191	(1)
Conclusion	192	(3)
CHAPTER 10 FINAL PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE CAPTURE SESSION	195	(12)
Reference Material	196	(1)
Props	197	(1)
The Capture Session Team	198	(2)
The Daily Shot List	200	(4)
Miscellaneous Issues	204	(1)
Conclusion	205	(2)
CHAPTER 11 THE MOTION CAPTURE SESSION	207	(16)
What a Typical Capture Day May Consist Of	208	(5)
Job Responsibilities During the Capture	213	(1)
Client's Capture Responsibilities	214	(8)
Conclusion	222	(1)
CHAPTER 12 POST PRODUCTION	223	(30)
Frame Range Selections	225	(6)
How to Make Frame Range Selections	228	(3)
Updating the Database	231	(1)
Getting the Motions Back from the Motion Studio	231	(1)
Editing the Core Motions	232	(12)
Idle Motions	233	(6)
Cycle Motions	239	(3)
Pinned Motions	242	(2)
After the Core Motions Are Edited	244	(4)
The Animation Meeting	244	(3)
Starting to Edit	247	(1)
Re-edits and Directory Maintenance	248	(2)
Acknowledgments and Credits	250	(2)
Conclusion	252	(1)
CHAPTER 13 THE CARRION PROJECT	253	(20)
Background Information	254	(1)
Handling the Animation	254	(2)
Stage 1: Preparing for the Capture Session	256	(8)
The Motion List	257	(1)
Flowcharts	258	(1)
Contacting and Selecting a Motion Capture Studio	258	(2)
The Motion Database	260	(1)
Selecting Motion Performers and a Stunt Coordinator	260	(1)
Coordinating and Making Props	261	(1)
Assembling the Capture Team	262	(1)
Preparing the Reference Material	262	(1)
Travel Arrangements	263	(1)
Stage 2: The Capture Session	264	(3)
Stage 3: The Post Capture Session	267	(4)
Conclusion	271	(2)
CONCLUSION	273	(2)
APPENDIX A MOTION CAPTURE STUDIOS	275	(2)
APPENDIX B MOTION CAPTURE CONSULTANTS, PERFORMERS, AND COORDINATORS	277	(2)
APPENDIX C OPTICAL MOTION CAPTURE SYSTEM MANUFACTURERS	279	(2)
GLOSSARY	281	(14)
BIBLIOGRAPHY	295	(2)
INDEX	297