Motion capture for beginners often sounds like Hollywood productions and big game studios. But thanks to modern technology, affordable hardware and easily accessible software, mocap is no longer the preserve of professionals. In this article, you will find out which affordable systems are suitable for creative amateurs, how much money you should budget and which software solutions are easy to learn. Read on if you want to start your first projects in the field of character animation, storytelling or virtual reality.
Motion capture, often referred to as "mocap", is the digital capture of the movements of real people, which are then transferred to 3D models. The result: realistic-looking animations that can take your creative projects to a new level. Although this technology has its origins in expensive film and game productions, the barriers to entry have now fallen significantly.
Creative people in particular who enjoy experimenting will benefit from these developments. So if you have always toyed with the idea of bringing digital characters to life, now is a good time to take the first steps.
Modern beginners often use AI-supported motion capture solutions such as Radical or MoveAI instead. These only require a video camera or smartphone. The recorded videos can be uploaded to the AI, which generates motion data from them.
Inertial motion capture systems such as Perception Neuron and Rokoko offer an advanced alternative to the Kinect solution and are ideal for more ambitious projects. Both systems use sensors (IMUs) that are worn directly on the body and capture movements precisely in real time. Nevertheless, the two approaches differ in a number of key respects:
This system is characterized by greater flexibility, as it can be equipped with a higher number of sensors (depending on the kit). This makes it particularly suitable for complex motion sequences. However, it requires more complex set-up and calibration. From personal experience, it can be said that setting up the individual sensors is quite time-consuming and it can be difficult to place them correctly on your own. This is not a suit that you can simply slip into, but the sensors have to be attached individually, which also means that the position of each sensor has to be checked precisely. On the positive side, Perception Neuron's software often offers more natural walking cycles than comparable solutions. However, Perception Neuron's customer support was described as weak, especially when dealing with warranty or replacement cases, which often take a long time.
In comparison, Rokoko relies on a simpler setup with user-friendly software (Rokoko Studio), which was specially developed for creatives without in-depth technical knowledge. The Rokoko suit is quick and easy to put on, as you simply slip into it and are quickly ready to work. Rokoko is a European company and impresses with its fast and accommodating user support, especially in the event of defective sensors or other problems. The infrastructure around the devices and the software seems much more mature. A small disadvantage of Rokoko is that the Walkcycles sometimes appear somewhat unnatural during movements such as walking. Nevertheless, Rokoko offers a very good overall package for the price and makes it much easier to get started with motion capture technology.
Are you interested in developing a virtual reality or 360° application? You may still have questions about budget and implementation. Feel free to contact me.
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