Motion capture

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MotionCapture

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Motion capture (often abbreviated as mocap) is the process of recording the movement of objects or people. It is used in entertainment, sports, medical applications, and for validation of computer vision and robotics. In filmmaking and video game development, it refers to recording actions of human actors and using that information to animate digital character models in 3D computer animation.

History

Motion capture has its roots in the early 20th century with the work of Eadweard Muybridge and Étienne-Jules Marey, who used sequential photography to study human and animal motion. The modern form of motion capture began in the 1970s with the development of optical systems that could track reflective markers placed on a subject.

Technology

Motion capture technology can be divided into several categories:

Optical Systems

Optical systems use cameras to track markers placed on the subject. These markers can be passive (reflective) or active (LEDs). The data from the cameras is then processed to create a 3D representation of the subject's movements.

Inertial Systems

Inertial systems use accelerometers and gyroscopes to track the movement of the subject. These systems do not require external cameras and can be used in a wider range of environments.

Magnetic Systems

Magnetic systems use sensors to detect the position and orientation of the subject within a magnetic field. These systems can be affected by metal objects and other magnetic fields in the environment.

Mechanical Systems

Mechanical systems use exoskeletons or other mechanical devices to track the movement of the subject. These systems can provide very accurate data but can be cumbersome to wear.

Applications

Motion capture is used in a variety of fields:

Entertainment

In the entertainment industry, motion capture is used to create realistic animations for films, television, and video games. Notable examples include the character Gollum in The Lord of the Rings film series and the video game L.A. Noire.

Sports

In sports, motion capture is used to analyze and improve athletic performance. It can be used to study the biomechanics of athletes and to develop training programs.

Medical Applications

In medicine, motion capture is used to study human movement and to develop treatments for conditions such as cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease. It is also used in rehabilitation to track the progress of patients.

Robotics

In robotics, motion capture is used to develop and test algorithms for robot motion and to validate the performance of robotic systems.

Related Pages

• 3D computer graphics
• Animation
• Computer vision
• Robotics
• Biomechanics
• Virtual reality

See Also

• Performance capture
• Digital puppetry
• Kinematics
• Computer-generated imagery