ESPRIT project produces 3D character animation
The CAMELOT project for character animation using a motion capture low cost tool, funded within the framework of the EU's research programme in the field of Information Technologies (ESPRIT), has produced results of potentially broad application. The end product of the "Bodytrack Studio" project offers a complete studio of body movements for optical motion capture, performance and 3D character animation. The product will be of use to broadcast professionals, as well as video game, multimedia and VRML developers and will be launched on the market in October 1998. By integrating a high definition optical system designed to capture human body motion in real time, with its own motion capture editor for refinements on capture data, and its own editor and real time player for the animation of 3D characters, the product allows more complex projects to be realised in a more efficient way. A set of tool aids allow the user to achieve the final results in a user-friendly manner. These tools include a graphical interface, a motion capture editor, software algorithms, post-editing tools as well as a 3D model editor which can be used to add or modify kinematics settings on 3D models. In addition, a real time viewer allows the user to visualise moving finished 3D models.