Guide to the motion capture process

Acquiring motion data is a complex process.

The process involves planning, shooting, and editing, which can be summarized in detail as follows.

1. Pre-shoot planning

• Select the number of data to be captured. We select between 50 and 70 data, and prepare a list of videos related to them.
• Select actors and coordinate the shooting schedule with the studio. Depending on the difficulty and specialization of the data to be filmed, the cost of the demonstration actor varies.
• Communicate behavior information to the actors, check their familiarity, and review their movements.

The planning phase involves hiring actors, coordinating with stakeholders, and familiarizing them with the movements.

Danstruct oversees all the planning process and prepares the necessary materials.

2. Studio shoot 

• This is the process of acquiring motion data directly in a dedicated motion capture studio with specialized equipment and personnel who can handle it.
• After setting up the data and equipment to be captured, actors wear suits and perform motion capture tasks according to a set sequence under the supervision of on-site PDs and managers.
• In general, about 20 minutes (1,200 seconds) of data can be acquired based on an 8-hour workday, but it may vary depending on the work environment and data type.

3. Post-processing of acquired data

 This is the task of editing the raw data obtained after motion capture into a usable form. Editing is a three-step process, each of which requires separate expertise, and is often performed by different specialists.

3-1. Cleanup

• Cleanup is the process of organizing uneven data before applying characters. It sets the file format for the program in which the data end user will be editing.

3-2. Character Retargeting

• This is the process of applying motion information to the character to which the data is to be applied, matching the body proportions of the acquired data with the body proportions of the character to which the data is to be applied.
• Motion data is acquired according to the actor's body proportions, and if the body proportions of the actor and the character to which it is applied are different, the information is transferred smoothly by matching the length of the bones, etc.

3-3. Data Polishing and Stylization

• Polishing is the process of cleaning up any awkwardness in the character's movement after retargeting. It involves cleaning up the fact that characters and objects attached to the character's body (such as a sword at the waist) pass through each other, slide on the ground, etc. when moving.

Motion data is captured through a variety of processes, as described above.