Mocappys

How to Animate 2-Handed Weapons, Merge Poses and Create Hand-Held Camera Effect in MotionBuilder

For the next part of my attempt to recreate the Matrix Lobby Shootout in MotionBuilder, we come to two-handed props. Animating 2 handed weapons and prop interaction is something that you do a lot in mocap. As I mention in the video, unless your performer and character are exactly the same size, their hands are…

How to Add Impact to Your Mocap

How do we transform my punch captured at home with an MVN Mocap System into the punch Neo uses at the start of the Matrix Lobby Shootout? Well, for that, we’re going to need to do some Motion Editing. In this video I’ll walk you through how to use the Human IK (HIK) Control Rig, Animation Layers, FCurves, Ghost…

How to Mocap a Performer using a Vicon System

Introduction In this guide we’ll look at how to use a Vicon Motion Capture System to mocap a performer. We’ll cover everything from calibrating the cameras and configuring the mocap volume, to capturing and reviewing a take in Shogun Live. Plus, all the tips and tricks you’ll need to capture the best data possible. At…

How to Animate Props in MotionBuilder | Multi-Referential Constraints

In this MotionBuilder tutorial we’re going to be animating props. And if we’re going to be animating props, then we’re going to need constraints! But we’re not talking simple Parent/Child constraints, where the prop only has one parent object. We’re going to be animating complex props that need multiple parent objects. Props that are getting…

How to Write a Skeleton Definition File Using Python

The usual way to save a Skeleton Definition XML file is from “Character Controls>Definition>Save Skeleton Definition…” But, what if you’re looking for a programmatic way of doing it using Python – or someone left a comment on a previous post asking how to do it and you can’t resist a python challenge? Well, then you…

How to Use MotionBuilder Story Tool to Create a Cut-Scene

Once you’ve captured all your motion and set up your characters, the next step is to combine everything and start blocking out your cut-scene using MotionBuilder’s Story tool. MotionBuilder Story Tool MotionBuilder’s Story Tool is a non-linear editor that lets you build a cut-scene or mocap sequence by adding animation clips on to a track…