MoCap for Artists Workflow and Techniques for Motion Capture

An accessible introduction to motion capture principles and techniques used in the entertainment fields. With a free CD of sample motion capture data, scripts and Maya/Motion Builder tutorials.

Make motion capture part of your graphics and effects arsenal. This introduction to motion capture principles and techniques delivers a working understanding of today's state-of-the-art systems and workflows without the arcane pseudocodes and equations. Learn about the alternative systems, how they have evolved, and how they are typically used, as well as tried-and-true workflows that you can put to work for optimal effect. Demo files and tutorials provided on the downloadable resources deliver first-hand experience with some of the core processes.

An overview and history of motion capture; Pre-production and pipeline; Cleaning and editing data; Data Application - Intro Level: Simplest pipeline ever!; Data Application - Intermediate Level: Composing and decomposing motions; Data Application - Advanced Level: Integrating data with character rigs; Hand Motion Capture; Facial Motion Capture; Mocap data and math

Asan associate professor in the Arts and Technology (ATEC) program at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Midori teaches 3D computer animation and motion capture. Prior to joining UTD, she taught at the Ohio State University's Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) for 10 years. Prof. Kitagawa's former advisees are contributing to the field of computer animation at educational institutions and at leading production companies, such as Pixar, Blue Sky, and PDI. Prof. Kitagawa holds a Ph.D. degree in visualization science from Texas A&M University, a M.A. degree in computer graphics and animation from the Ohio State University, and a B.F.A. degree in painting from Joshibi University in Tokyo, Japan. Brian Windsor is a graphics researcher at the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) at the Ohio State University, where he manages the motion capture lab, teaches motion capture, helps students and other departments with motion capture related issues, and works on research in how to use puppetry with motion graphics. In 2007 he received the Jim Henson Award for Innovation for his work with puppetry and motion capture. Brian has contributed to over 2 dozen video games and 5 features in the past. He has also given numerous lectures, has been published in several journals, and continues to promote motion capture, video game technology, and computer graphics.