Character motion is one of the most critical elements in creating a believable look for a video game, animated project, or movie special effect. Good character motion can quickly take the viewer into the imaginary world and help sell the scene, while bad character motion can just as quickly ruin the believability of a game or scene.
Without a doubt, motion capture gives you the most realistic synthetic motion possible, and for this reason many companies use motion capture as the source for many of their animations. The Animator's Motion Capture Guide is written for all levels of animators, artists, project managers, and companies who wish to handle their motion capture effectively and efficiently. It is written from a motion coordinator's (lead animator's) point of view and gives a plan for handling motion capture, whether on a single project or multiple projects.
It provides you with a complete, start-to-finish plan for dealing with motion capture, hints on selecting a motion capture service bureau, how to cut costs, and how to streamline your process. It also gives you a motion capture glossary and lists of motion capture service bureaus and performers.
This book is a "must-have" for animators, managers, and video game companies who want to approach motion capture in a uniform, thorough, professional, and efficient manner.
Key Features
- Helps game and animation companies decide whether
MOCAP is right for their project
- Provides animators and game developers with a complete,
start-to-finish professional guide to MOCAP
- Teaches new animators key terminology and provides a
blueprint for the entire animation process
Chapter 1 An Introduction to Motion Capture
Chapter 2 Motion Capture and Your Project
Chapter 3 The Motion List
Chapter 4 Flowcharts and Motion Diagrams
Chapter 5 The Motion Database
Chapter 6 Directory Structure and Filenaming Convention
Chapter 7 Markers and Marker Configuration
Chapter 8 Selecting a Motion Capture Studio
Chapter 9 Motion Performers, Stunt Coordination, and Directing
Chapter 10 Final Preparations Before the Capture Session
Etc.
About the Author:
Matt Liverman (Hollywood, FL) began working in motion capture in 1996 and has worked on a number of successful games, including All-Star Baseball 2002 and 2003, Turok Evolution, Quarterback Club 2000, 2001, and 2003, and NBA Jam 99. He has worked for Acclaim Studios Austin, Iguana West and Sculptured Software, Inc., and is currently an independent motion capture coordinator. He holds a B.A. in Graphic Design and completed the Art and Animation program at the School of Communication Arts.