Understanding Motion Capture for Computer Animation and Video Games

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.

Features

• 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.

Authors:

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 lead character technical director at the commercial and film effects division. His latest production credits include the film Forces of Nature, commercials for SEGA, Circle K and Pillsbury, the award-winning music video for TLC's "Waterfalls", and dozens of video games, including Dark Ridge, Messiah and Soul Blade.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Chapter 1 - Motion Capture Primer

What is Motion Capture?

History Performance in the Entertainment Field

Types of Motion Capture

Other Motion Capture Systems

Applications of Motion Capture

Chapter 2 - The Motion Capture Controversy

Motion Capture Perspectives

Motion Capture and the Media

Motion Capture Stories

Chapter 3 - The Motion Capture Session

Deciding to Use Motion Capture

First Step: Do You Want Realistic Motion?

Second Step: Can You Successfully Capture the Data?

Preparing for the Session

Capture Schedule

Chapter 4 - The Motion Data

Motion Data Types and Formats

Writing A Motion Capture Translator

Chapter 5 - Setting Up Your Character for Captured Motion Data

Setting Up a Character with Rotational Data

Setting Up a Character with Translational Data

Tips and Tricks

Related Titles:

Computer Graphics & Geometric Modeling