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How
do the various motion capture technologies differ?
Gyroscopic
technology is the first system in the world that has the versatility
of a “suit based system”, while outputting very smooth,
accurate motion data. Small, accurate rotational sensors are positioned
directly onto the actor’s body eliminating the need for any
offsets in mocap calculations. This results in a system that is
simple to operate and set up and that provides very life-like motion
data. Suit based systems are not restricted to a studio allowing
huge capture ranges and usage indoors and outside. Up to 5 GypsyGyro-18
systems can work together without fear of occlusion. Optical technology
involves placing reflective markers on the body. Cameras cross-reference
the position of these markers using generally 6 or more cameras.
More cameras are required to avoid occlusion, which is the main
drawback of an optical system as it results in increased data cleaning.
Occlusion occurs when the cameras view of the markers is obstructed,
either by another actor or object or by the movement of the actor
when sitting down for example. While optical systems require large
areas within which the cameras are set up, actual usable capture
space can be as little as a circle of 2 to 3 meter radius. Many
cameras are required to capture 2 or more people at the same time
without massive occlusion issues and so huge amounts of data cleaning.
Optical systems are expensive, and are not simple up to capture.
They require large studio space and technicians to run them, which
mean additional costs. Optical systems when used well can be very
exact and are the best systems where positional data is required.
Magnetic
systems radiate a magnetic field that sensors placed on the body
of the actor can recognize. Magnetic data requires heavy filtering
which results in data lags and unreal data. They are fairly accurate
within 10 to 15 feet from the centre of radiation, if the space
is well calibrated. They are highly sensitive to any type of metal
interference and as such require a very clean capture area. This
is very difficult to find. Magnetic systems are often wireless,
however can only operate within 15 feet radius from the emitter.
Due to high filtering data may seem “sloshy”.
Electromechanical
systems use rotation sensors placed on body joints to capture motion.
They have a Roaming Capture Range (RCR) like the gyroscopic systems.
The rig is exoskeleton and formed to fit a human in “suit”
form. A harness is placed around the hips and another around the
upper chest, with harnesses for elbows, hands, thighs, shoes and
head. Systems are relatively easy to set-up to capture, especially
if the actor’s measurement data is already on file. Capture
areas do not require calibration; systems do not suffer from occlusion
or sensitivity to metal. Systems are ideal for real-time performance
(live animation). Suits can be worn and taken off in minutes.
Bend
sensors wrap around the body and the limbs to measure the amount
of bend. The system is comprised of 5 long tapes, which must be
looped in a 20cm diameter circle before wrapping around each section
of the body. These are fragile so during use the tapes must not
be touched by external objects - the wearer should not lean against
walls, sit down or hug. Sensors must be calibrated every time the
suit changes hands. Slosh in data is similar to magnetic systems.
These systems are the most inaccurate of all the systems listed,
relying on a lot of data assumptions.
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Why
is the GypsyGyro18 so accurate?
The
sensors are sensitive to one hundredth of a degree (the numbers on
screen can be seen to change when you blow on a sensor). As sensors
are placed directly onto the actor’s body, the system does not
require offsets removing any guesswork in the data.
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Why
is the GypsyGyro18 data so lifelike and clean?
The
GypsyGyro-18 does not require filters as inertial sensors inherently
lack peak or noise, and the stability of data provided has to be seen
to be believed. Rotations are taken directly from the actor’s
bones and then processed on suit meaning there are no complex software
calculations resulting in data errors. There is never occlusion, meaning
much less data cleaning in post production, resulting in smooth, lifelike
motion data.
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What
software interface can I use with the Gypsy Systems?
Gypsy
outputs industry standard bvh data. This is small and easily manageable
and above all is open source. bvh files can be used with all major
animation software packages, including Softimage® XSi, Maya®,
3DSMax®, Lightwave®, Poser, Life-forms and many smaller systems.
Plug-ins are also available for the MotionBuilder products. We can
provide comprehensive Software Development Kit (SDK) for those wishing
to create bespoke packages.
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Can
I use the Gypsy with glove and face capture systems all at the same
time?
Yes,
it was designed to do this cleanly and efficiently.
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Can
Gypsy systems be used for solo or live animation projects?
Yes,
Gypsy systems are designed for solo operation, which means that at
creative point-of-sale situations for example only one operator is
required. In addition to a full suit and a laptop (projection screen,
optional) the operator uses an ordinary wireless microphone to animate
the lips of the character (lip-syncing) in real time. This allows
the operator to interact fully with customers through the animated
character.
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Can
a Gypsy system be used at a nightclub, or a trade show, animating
a 3D character in real time, walking amongst the public?
Yes,
the Gypsy is ideal for these applications.
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What
is a Multi actor system?
When
more than one actor is captured at the same time, this is known as
a multi-actor system. Gypsy systems are perfect for multi actor situations
as there are no occlusion issues with Gypsy. Limitations come from
rendering simultaneous real time animated characters, not from the
Gypsy motion capture systems themselves.
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How
many different Gypsy systems can I operate in parallel?
Up
to 16 Gypsy mechanical systems and 5 Gyro systems.
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What
is the operational range on the Gypsy systems?
Between
30 meters to 100 meters indoors, depending on obstructions. And up
to 500 meters outdoors, again dependant on obstructions.
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How
do I transport systems?
All
Gypsy systems disassemble into modular parts and are supplied with
carrying cases. They all reassemble at the destination within 5 minutes
and are ready to capture in 5 to 15 minutes.
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What
additional hardware or software do I need to start capture?
The
only other module you need to start capturing with any Gypsy system
is a small LAN-enabled PC or Medium sized laptop running any of Microsoft's®
XP or 2000. GypsyGyro-18 uses USB.
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What
type of training do I need to use the system?
There
are training classes in the UK, or a technician is despatched to your
location to deliver a 2 day training course for up to 3 of your staff.
Contact Animazoo for schedules and prices. There is a free tutorial
CD which will help you start capturing with ease.
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What
are the standard warranties on the system?
All
systems are warranted for 12 months including all parts and labour.
Two and three year extended warranties are available on request, at
time of purchase.
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Can
I mix Gypsy systems?
Yes,
you can mix any combination of Gypsy systems as long as the number
of GypsyGyro-18’s does not exceed 5.
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How
does a GypsyGyro18 sense the rotation of a limb?
Rotational
sensors placed on the limbs measure all the joints. We use 3- axes
inertial Gyroscopes which are accurate to 1/10th of a degree. They
are used by military around the World.
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How
does GypsyGyro18 sense the rotation of the wrist?
As
above. Gypsy uses sophisticated inner skeleton dynamics, that record
in-place rotation of the wrist (the Roll). This is unique to Gypsy.
Other systems can struggle with wrist and ankle roll rotation and
require sophisticated software to allow for correcting geometry. This
increases lag time, or system latency.
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How
many channels/sensors has the Gypsy5?
One
root inertial Gyroscope and another on the rib-cage and 37 rotational
sensors.
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How
many sensors has the GypsyGyro-18?
Eighteen
inertial gyroscopes and an additional 19th gyroscope for props.
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What
about props?
The
GypsyGyro-18 includes a 19th inertial gyroscope can be added to a
prop held by the actor allowing for data to be recorded from the prop.
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What
advantages has the GypsyGyro18 over magnetic and optical systems?
Extremely
lifelike and stable motion data. Automatic system calibration, huge
capture area, easy set-up, great value for money, minimal data cleaning
Multi-actor without occlusion. Portable, (transported in a briefcase),
no lag.
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What
training is required before operation?
We
provide a one-day training course for the GypsyGyro-18. Data can be
captured after about 30 minutes of instruction.
2 day training courses are available for the Gypsy5. Good data can
be captured after approximately 2 to 4 hours of instructions.
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Can
I check the Software Developer's Kit before I buy the system?
Yes.
We have set aside sections that will introduce the authoring environment
and our engineers can help further if that is not enough.
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Do
Gypsy systems require you to reinitialize the gyros periodically,
and if so, how often?
It
is not necessary to re-initialize a gyro’s placement on the
body unless it is moved. Re-initialisation is achieved by pushing
a key on your keyboard.
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How
is a bvh data file format structured?
A
frame of data from any Gypsy system has 57 channels (native to the
bvh file format). These are 3 x position values for the root (hips)
and 54 x angles (18 nodes @ 3 angles per node).
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