Set Up & Operations
What is Stage?
Stage is Organic Motion's premier motion capture technology system. It is comprised of hardware and software components:
A truss system donning white retro-reflective walls and floor, a vision processor, and 14 high speed cameras make up the hardware. Stage Administration, a plugin for Autodesk Motionbuilder and the Organic Motion Stage Software Development Kit (SDK) comprise the software.
How does Stage work?
Stage uses fourteen 2D cameras to track the subject. The data output from each camera is fed into the vision processor which maps each pixel by triangulating the location for that pixel using the various camera images' intersection points. This image is then applied to a human-like structure using a preloaded reference. The final output results in a full 3-D mesh image, complete with surface textures. This information is then ready to be loaded directly into any form of animation or processing software, all in real-time.
Through this process, the need for a body suit and markers has been eliminated thereby dramatically improving the flexibility of a motion capture system and reducing the costs to operate such a system.
What is required to set up Stage?
The minimum requirements for Stage are:
18 ft x 18 ft x 10ft space
Workstation running Windows XP and have the following components:
·Core 2 Duo Intel processor or higher
·1 Gigabit Ethernet Hub and Cable
·Direct X 9.0 or higher capable graphics card
·Autodesk® MotionBuilder™ version 7.5 or higher
·The MotionMonitor™ (for BioStage)
How easy (or hard) is it to operate Stage?
Operating Stage is very easy. Because Stage does not require body suits or markers user calibrations are completed in just a few simple poses. Stage really operates 'in the background' and let's people just walk in and out and be automatically scanned.
Is Stage portable?
Stage is designed to be a semi-permanent fixture. What that means is the capability to construct and deconstruct Stage exists, but this will take some effort. Currently, Organic Motion offers only the semi permanent option; however, we are work with you to meet your needs if a mobile Stage is desired.
Can Stage be used outdoors?
Stage tracks thousands of natural contrast points of the human body, which eliminates the need for a body suit or markers. It is necessary for our cameras to be able to see those contrast points, and direct exposure to sunlight generally interferes with our cameras' ability to fully track the subject. So the real answer is not yet.
Functionality & Performance
What can Stage track (or not track) in the current version 1.0 release?
Single Adult Subject: Stage instantly tracks one person at full speed, with high accuracy, and clean real-time data output.
Single Child Subject: Stage is now capable of tracking children that are taller than 3'6".
Multiple Actors: An Expansion Module to track a second subject will be released in the future. Currently, a second subject could be in the scanning space to influence the movement of the subject being tracked; for example you can push the subject.
Finger Tracking: Stage currently tracks the hand as if it were a 'mitten', not streaming motion data for individual fingers. Stage's architecture allows for full finger tracking in the future..
Facial Tracking: Stage does not provide facial motion data at this time. We are working on several facial tracking solutions..
Props: The initial release of Stage will not track the motion data of props, although many props may be used without disrupting the motion capture of the subject. In such cases, the prop will be filmed in the video stream. Large or bulky props are more likely to interrupt Stage's ability to 'see' the subject, and therefore more likely to cause tracking difficulties. Stage will be able to track many types of props as part of a standard upgrade with Stage (Version 2.0).
Data Output
How accurate is Stage?
Stage tracks thousands of data points on each subject, it can produce highly accurate results. Stage has been bench tested by a client to verify the system's consistency and accuracy of real-time measurement of human limbs to the millimeter level based on accepted biomechanical principals. The results of this testing are offered only under a confidentiality agreement.
How does Stage perform such accurate capture without any markers?
That's a secret! But if you really want to know, let us know in a conversation.
What is the Software Development Kit (SDK) for?
Organic Motion's SDK enables you to take all the data from Stage, including motion data, volumetric mesh data, and surface texture, and create your own applications by mixing and matching these data formats, for example to create a photo realistic volumetric avatar, or to see the subject's skeleton under his video.
Can Stage flow data into other software besides Motion Builder and The Motion Monitor?
The general answer is "Yes", but it's best to ask about any specific software programs. In some cases, Organic Motion may be producing a plug-in for that software.
Can Stage integrate with 3rd party devices?
The integration of 3rd party devices such as EMG and force plates is currently planned for future release.