Motion Capture and Animation Foundations
Part 2: Motion Capture with Perception Neuron 3
Perception Neuron 3 is a wireless, full-body motion-capture system. It uses small Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors to track body movement without requiring cameras, special lighting, or a dedicated recording studio.
Perception Neuron systems are used in:
- Game development 🎮
- Film and animation 🎬
- Dance and performance art 💃
- Virtual production 🧑💻
- Medical, sports, and movement training 🏥🏃
The system works with Axis Studio, software that displays body movement in real time and records motion data. Recordings can be exported in formats such as BVH or FBX and transferred to animation software.
In these tutorials, you will learn how to set up the motion-capture equipment, calibrate the performer, record movement in Axis Studio, and apply the recorded motion to a 3D character in Blender.
Activities
Setup and Calibration
Recording and Retargeting
- 🎥 Record and Export Motion Data in Axis Studio
- 🦴 Rigging Movements in Blender
- 🌀 Retarget Motion onto a Character in Blender
Advance References
What Is Motion Capture?
Motion capture, often shortened to mocap, is a technology that records the movement of a real-world performer and converts it into digital data.
This data can be applied to a virtual skeleton, character, or object, allowing it to reproduce the performer’s movements. Motion capture can create realistic movement, but artists can also modify, exaggerate, combine, or transform the recorded data.
Motion capture is used in:
- Film and video-game animation
- Live performance and digital puppetry
- Virtual production
- Medical and sports analysis
- Experimental art, dance, and installation
Instructor Presentation
Credits: Jessica A. Rodríguez