Understanding Motion Capture for Computer Animation and Video Games

by Menache, Alberto

• ISBN13: 9780124906303
• ISBN10: 0124906303
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-09-01
• Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann Pub

Summary

Motion capture is one of the most talked about and misunderstood technologies in computer animation because of its rocketing popularity and ambiguous implementation. In Understanding Motion Capture for Computer Animation and Video Games, industry insider Alberto Menache tells the complete story of motion capture, examining its technical details as well as its growth as an industry. Menache's narrative voice and in-depth technical discussions allow the reader to not only learn motion capture, but also to understand the reasons behind its successes, failures, and increasing role in blockbuster films, such as Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. With its careful balance between technical analysis and industry trends, Understanding Motion Capture for Computer Animation and Video Games is the first book to explore the controversial art and practice of modern character animation using motion capture. * Provides descriptions of all the mathematical principles associated with motion capture and 3D character mechanics. * Offers great ideas for character setup that can be used for any character animation, even without the use of captured motion data. * Includes source code that will help readers write conversion and motion data manipulation programs.

Author Biography

Alberto Menache founded Three Space Imagery, Inc. (TSi), a computer graphics and video game developer, in Los Angeles, where he and his team developed proprietary software for motion capture usage in animation. After selling his software to Motion Analysis Corporation, Menache moved on to Pacific Data Images, a computer graphics industry leader, where he is the Character Technical Direction Supervisor in the commercial and film effects division.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xiii
Motion Capture Primer	1	(36)
Motion Capture and Performance Animation	1	(1)
History of Performance Animation in the Entertainment Field	2	(12)
The Rotoscope	2	(1)
``Brilliance''	3	(2)
Pacific Data Images	5	(5)
deGra/Wahrman	10	(1)
Kleiser-Walczak Construction Company	10	(1)
Homer and Associates	11	(3)
Types of Motion Capture	14	(18)
Optical Motion Capture Systems	15	(5)
Electromagnetic Trackers	20	(3)
Electromechanical Suits	23	(1)
Digital Armatures	24	(4)
Other Motion Capture Systems	28	(4)
Applications of Motion Capture	32	(5)
Medicine	32	(1)
Sports	33	(1)
The Entertainment Industry	34	(2)
Law	36	(1)
The Motion Capture Controversy	37	(24)
Motion Capture Perspectives	38	(4)
Motion Capture and the Media	42	(1)
Motion Capture Stories	43	(18)
Total Recall	44	(2)
Shell Oil	46	(1)
Marvin the Martian in the 3rd Dimension	47	(1)
The Pillsbury Doughboy	47	(2)
Batman and Robin	49	(3)
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest	52	(1)
Shrek	53	(1)
Godzilla	54	(1)
Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists	55	(6)
The Motion Capture Session	61	(60)
Deciding to Use Motion Capture	61	(27)
Do You Want Realistic Motion?	62	(5)
Can You Successfully Capture the Data?	67	(21)
Preparing for the Session	88	(26)
Using an External Motion Capture Service Provider	88	(3)
Props and Rigs	91	(1)
Talent	92	(2)
Designing the Marker Positions	94	(16)
Capture Schedule	110	(4)
Rehearsals	114	(1)
During the Session	114	(5)
The Base Position	116	(1)
Directing the Motion Capture Session	117	(2)
Summary	119	(2)
The Motion Data	121	(50)
Motion Data Types and Formats	121	(22)
The Acclaim File Format	123	(4)
The .bva File Format	127	(2)
The .bvh File Format	129	(3)
The .trc File Format	132	(2)
The .htr File Format	134	(9)
Writing a Motion Capture Translator	143	(28)
Setting Up Your Character	171	(36)
Setting Up a Character with Rotational Data	172	(1)
Setting Up a Character with Translational Data	173	(16)
Creating the Internal Skeleton	173	(16)
Tips and Tricks	189	(16)
Switching the Order of Rotations	189	(3)
Distribution of Rotations	192	(5)
Interpolation	197	(4)
Keyframe Reduction	201	(1)
Readaptation of Captured Data	202	(3)
Conclusion	205	(2)
Appendix A Motion Capture Equipment and Software Manufacturers	207	(12)
Optical Tracking Systems	207	(6)
Electromagnetic Tracking Systems	213	(1)
Electromechanical Tracking Systems	214	(1)
Hand Tracking Devices	215	(1)
Other Tracking Technologies	216	(3)
Appendix B Motion Capture Service Bureaus and Virtual Content Providers	219	(10)
Appendix C Other Sources	229	(4)
Software	229	(2)
Miscellaneous Resources	231	(2)
Index	233