Working with Motion-Capture Data

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Motion capture is the practice of getting motion data from live actors performing various actions. The motion data is captured (retrieved) via sensors placed at the actors' joints and extremities.

3ds Max does not perform motion capture, but it accepts motion-capture data in the most commonly used formats.

Three types of motion-capture data are included with 3ds Max:

In the tutorials\character_animation\motion_capture directory, raw motion-capture files have keys at every frame and do not contain footsteps.
In the tutorials\character_animation\footstep_animation directory, the raw data has been converted: it has footsteps and has been filtered for key reduction.
In the tutorials\character_animation\freeform_animation directory, the raw data has been filtered for key reduction, but it contains no footsteps. It is freeform animation.

In this tutorial, you'll do the following:

Import motion-capture data.
Filter and edit the data.
Import prop data.

Skill level: Beginner

Time to complete: 1 hour

Files for This Section

All the files necessary for this tutorial are provided on the program disc in the \tutorials\character_animation\motion_capture directory. Before starting the tutorials, copy the \tutorials folder from the disc to your local program installation.

In This Tutorial

Importing Motion-Capture Data

Comparing Trajectories

Using High-Frequency Data and Looping

Importing Prop Data

Editing with Layers