Since the start of the AViCON series in 1998, RTI have used this platform to challenge their production studios to enhance their techniques and strategies. This unique aviation disaster conference provides an opportunity for the creation of an animation using new methods and capabilities. Many times this requires creative problem solving, and research and development as well as a bit of ingenuity to create a large scale animation worthy of an international conference, such as AViCON. Past animations created for AViCON have required simulation of weather conditions such as clouds and lightning, as well as rain; crowd simulations; or fluid dynamic effects such as explosions, fire, and smoke. For AViCON 2012, Magic Motion Studios, LLC has developed its skills and toolset to include markerless motion capture.

There are several types of motion capture techniques and technologies using optical and non-optical systems. Within the optical systems, Magic Motion Studios explored the markerless solution for the benefit of ease, mobility, and quick results, which translates into a time time saving workflow that does not adversely affect client budgets. The studio worked with both standard and infrared enhanced multi-camera systems. The various cameras are needed to accurately capture a person’s body movements from multiple angles. These angles allow the motion capture software to receive enough information from the cameras to generate the amount of data needed to accurately translate movement into a virtual 3-D space. Ease of use and speed of interpretation from the actor to the 3-D model, and ultimately the final animated scenes, motivated the studio to use infrared technology to complete the sequences.

The process was very exciting to the digital artists within the studio. Once the software and hardware were acquired, the creative talent at Magic Motion Studios started the motion capture process. About three hours were spent experimenting to familiarize the digital artists with how the infrared system worked. Before the end of the day, two artists were recording themselves acting out the motions required for the Tower Operator scenes for the AViCON 2012 animation. One animator would calibrate and capture the motion while the other performed actions for six different characters in two separate tower scenes. The basic process involved calibrating the cameras to motion, an actor performing the motion, smoothing the digitally captured motion, importing the motion and retargeting to the 3-D model, and finally refining the motion in the scene. The final experiment resulted in utilizing only one digital artist to complete the process from start to finish and in a matter of just several hours. This was a test to minimize production costs as well as to provide a quick, compact solution that can be mobile.

The final interior passenger scene in the AViCON 2012 animation was completed using only one self-directed digital artist, who was able to calibrate the tools, perform 4-5 various passenger motions, smooth the motions, and import them into the 3-D scenes. He then duplicated the motions with slight variances throughout a cabin full of passengers. The digital artist was able to self-evaluate his performance and complete several re-takes until he was satisfied.

Magic Motion Studios will continue to develop this markerless motion capture process. Future technologies being explored will include facial recognition with marker and markerless techniques. The studio is also developing methods for high speed captures of motion such as movement within mechanical devices. While the studio has a designated “imaging room” available for motion and other image capturing opportunities, the ultimate goal is to be as mobile and compact as possible in order to better serve our clients with flexibility in location, time, and cost.