Version 3.5 of the markerless mocap solution doubles tracking speed, increases calibration speed and accuracy and provides enhanced animation export functionality.
MOSCOW -- Motion capture technology developer iPi Soft, LLC has announced significant updates to its iPi Motion Capture software application, including 2.5 times faster tracking speed with Kinect sensors, enhanced animation export functionality, as well as single-actor project availability and single-GPU configurations.
According to Michael Nikonov, founder and chief technology architect for iPi Soft, the new iPi Motion Capture tracking algorithm works faster with Kinect sensor data, with tracking speeds up to 60–70 frames per second using high-end video cards.
“The new enhancements to the software will allow us to implement a real-time feedback feature so users can see the tracking result transferred to 3D characters at the time of recording motions for optimized workflow,” Nikonov said.
Nikonov also noted that 3.5 offers faster calibration for the Sony PS3 Eye camera, which can now take less than three minutes with a high-end video card. In addition, increased calibration precision has resulted in more accurate noise and defect filtering.
Customers working with Sony PS Move motion controllers to precisely track hands and head rotations will now enjoy nearly instant application of motion controllers data. iPi Soft continues to increase algorithm speeds for interfacing with Sony PS3 Eye and other RGB camera set-ups, enhancements that are scheduled for release later this year.
In addition to faster Kinect tracking speed, version 3.5 features additional animation settings for smoother third-party application integration.
Key features in iPi Motion Capture 3.5:
- Availability for single-actor projects and single-GPU configurations.
- New export tab controls allow users to rotate imported characters into proper orientation, useful for many popular characters, including standard Unreal Engine characters.
- Motion can now accurately be transferred to imported characters with separate root bone and hips/pelvis bone. Users can map hip motions either to root or to hips/pelvis, which benefits game engine characters, including standard Unity 3D Engine and Unreal Engine characters.
- Support for FBX format 7.5.
- Added finger bones to motion transfer profile for Valve characters in SMD and DMX formats.
- Users can select flashlight color for marker detection during calibration, useful in case of light backgrounds.
- Timesaving hints added to GPU’s progress bar area during tracking.
- Dialog with common actions available for the exported file shown after animation export and video export operations. Numerous bug and “under-the-hood” fixes.
A complete list of iPi Motion Capture enhancements is available here. The company remains focused on achieving real-time rendering before the end of 2017.
“Our development efforts are focused on processing speed optimization and we expect to release a new version of iPi Motion Capture that will essentially offer real-time capability this year to deliver customers an overall improved markerless mocap workflow,” said Nikonov.
iPi Motion Capture Version 3.5 is available with a subscription, ranging from $45.00 to $2,495.00, depending on software level (Express, Basic, Pro) and duration. The Basic edition provides support for up to 6 Sony PS3 Eye cameras, or 2 Kinect sensors and tracking of a single actor. The Pro version features full 16-camera or four Kinect sensors capability and can track of up to three actors. A free 30-day trial for Version 3.0 is available now.
iPi Motion Capture is a markerless motion capture software tool to track human body motions to easily produce 3D animation with a scalable system capable of tracking of up to 3 actors, and is compatible with first and second-generation Kinect sensors and other cameras.
Source: iPi Soft
