Understanding Motion Capture for Computer Animation - Softcover

Menache, Alberto

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0123814960 ISBN 13: 9780123814968

Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann, 2010

Synopsis

Understanding Motion Capture for Computer Animation discusses the latest technology developments in digital design, film, games, medicine, sports, and security engineering. Motion capture records a live-motion event and translates it into a digital context. It is the technology that converts a live performance into a digital performance. In contrast, performance animation is the actual performance that brings life to the character, even without using technology. If motion capture is the collection of data that represents motion, performance animation is the character that a performer represents.

The book offers extensive information about motion capture. It includes state-of-the-art technology, methodology, and developments in the current motion-capture industry. In particular, the different ways to capture motions are discussed, including using cameras or electromagnetic fields in tracking a group of sensors. This book will be useful for students taking a course about digital filming, as well as for anyone who is interested in this topic.

• Completely revised to include almost 40% new content with emphasis on RF and Facial Motion Capture Systems
• Describes all the mathematical principles associated with motion capture and 3D character mechanics
• Helps you budget by explaining the costs associated with individualized motion capture projects

About this title

From the Back Cover

The essential resource for anyone using motion capture for film, video, digital design, visualization, games, and more.

 

"Modern motion capture has proven to be a groundbreaking tool in VFX, when used properly.

The latest edition of Understanding Motion Capture will help make sure that you know

how and when to use this technology... and perhaps more importantly, when not to use it!"

—Scott Stokdyk, Award winning Visual Effects Supervisor

 

The power of today’s motion capture technology has taken animated characters and special effects to amazing new levels of reality. And with the release of blockbusters like Avatar and Tin-Tin, audiences continually expect more from each new release. To live up to these expectations, film and game makers, particularly technical animators and directors, need to be at the forefront of motion capture technology. In this extensively updated edition of Understanding Motion Capture for Computer Animation and Video Games, an industry insider explains the latest research developments in digital design and film, games, medicine, sports, and security engineering.

This completely updated new edition tells the complete story of motion capture, including the current state-of-the-art technology, methodology, and the explosive growth of the motion capture industry. In-depth technical explanations pair text and code, to help you understand not only the fundamental tenets of motion capture, but also the reasons behind its successes and failures. This timely new edition is an essential resource for anyone producing realistic motion graphics.

Features:

• Completely revised to include almost 40% new content with emphasis on RF and Facial Motion Capture Systems
• Companion site with source code, motion capture data translator, and example files help you write conversion and motion data manipulation programs
• Describes all the mathematical principles associated with motion capture and 3D character mechanics
• Helps you budget by explaining the costs associated with individualized motion capture projects

 

Alberto Menache is a pioneer in the field of motion capture technology. He founded one of the first motion capture companies, Three Space Imagery, Inc., that developed proprietary software for motion capture animation that is still widely used today. As Digital Effects Supervisor at Sony Pictures’ Imageworks, he was a primary contributor to the visual effects productions of such blockbuster films as "Spiderman," "The Polar Express," and "Superman Returns." Menache is currently the CEO of Menache LLC, a company that develops wireless technologies for high-accuracy positioning measurement.

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The essential resource for anyone using motion capture for film, video, digital design, visualization, games, and more.

"Modern motion capture has proven to be a groundbreaking tool in VFX, when used properly.

The latest edition of Understanding Motion Capture will help make sure that you know

how and when to use this technology... and perhaps more importantly, when not to use it!"

—Scott Stokdyk, Award winning Visual Effects Supervisor

The power of today’s motion capture technology has taken animated characters and special effects to amazing new levels of reality. And with the release of blockbusters like Avatar and Tin-Tin, audiences continually expect more from each new release. To live up to these expectations, film and game makers, particularly technical animators and directors, need to be at the forefront of motion capture technology. In this extensively updated edition of Understanding Motion Capture for Computer Animation and Video Games, an industry insider explains the latest research developments in digital design and film, games, medicine, sports, and security engineering.

This completely updated new edition tells the complete story of motion capture, including the current state-of-the-art technology, methodology, and the explosive growth of the motion capture industry. In-depth technical explanations pair text and code, to help you understand not only the fundamental tenets of motion capture, but also the reasons behind its successes and failures. This timely new edition is an essential resource for anyone producing realistic motion graphics.

Features:

• Completely revised to include almost 40% new content with emphasis on RF and Facial Motion Capture Systems
• Companion site with source code, motion capture data translator, and example files help you write conversion and motion data manipulation programs
• Describes all the mathematical principles associated with motion capture and 3D character mechanics
• Helps you budget by explaining the costs associated with individualized motion capture projects

Alberto Menache is a pioneer in the field of motion capture technology. He founded one of the first motion capture companies, Three Space Imagery, Inc., that developed proprietary software for motion capture animation that is still widely used today. As Digital Effects Supervisor at Sony Pictures’ Imageworks, he was a primary contributor to the visual effects productions of such blockbuster films as "Spiderman," "The Polar Express," and "Superman Returns." Menache is currently the CEO of Menache LLC, a company that develops wireless technologies for high-accuracy positioning measurement.

About the Author

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0123814960
• ISBN 13: 9780123814968
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 276