Open source motion-capture software

Question

Is there any open source software to map points on the human body to a simulated 3D model? Something like they do in some movies to map the movement of actors onto 3D models. What do they use? Are there any open initiatives for a wider audience in this domain?

Answer 1

It sounds like you're looking for (open source) motion capture software. I don't know of any dedicated mocap software that's open source, however.

My guess: any solution will probably involve Blender. I haven't used Blender myself, but it's open source, so there's lots of potential. I did come across a few promising links (Google "blender motion capture"):

• Blender wiki page
• Open world film
• Using pre-existing mocap data

Blender does have the ability to import motion capture (.bvh) files; I'm not sure if it can create them as well.

My guess is that movie studios use expensive and/or privately developed software, like Optitrack.

Answer 2

Yes, there is a Open Source Motion Capture Software Project from UFMG, in Brasil.

More information: http://laplace.dcc.ufmg.br/npdi/modules/news3/article.php?storyid=121