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I've actually been thinking about this potential for a while.
Motion capture technology is becoming more affordable and getting easier and easier to access. It is a complete 360 degree scalable 3D system so has advantages over video when it comes to recording solo and partner Kungfu movements.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if Shaolin Wahnam had an online 3D archive of our Grandmasters' sets and sequences for posterity?
How is motion capture technology (MoCap) different from ordinary video?
MoCap is a system of using a set of detectors to track sensors placed on a subject in order to capture the 3-D movement in time and space of that subject. This data is processed in a computer to create a virtual 3-D animation of the subject.
Cinematic motion capture:
Computer game motion capture:
Weakesses of video technology:
It is a 2-D representation of a 3-D image horse-stance01.jpg
This leads to minor inaccuracy, such as the 'optical illusion' of feet being splayed in a horse stance when in fact they are parallel. Most significantly, the image can only be viewed from a single angle -- the one from which it was filmed. Frame rate
Very fast movements can be missed as there exists a gap between frames even when the video is slowed down. Resolution
When the image is zoomed, the image blurs and pixelates so fine details cannot be distinguished.
Strengths of MoCap:
It is a 3-D representation of a 3-D image.
It is a more accurate representation of real movement in time and space, and the action can be viewed from any angle. Frame rate
The high frame rate means that transitions between different movements are clear -- the action can be "paused" anywhere, as well as speeded up and slowed down. Resolution
The high resolution means that it is possible to "zoom in" on finer details such as hand forms and exact limb positions.
Applications of MoCap:
Accurate 3-D digitial archive of kungfu forms, sets and sequences for posterity. This archive can be used as a reference library and study tool.
Use of the archive in animating computer games/cartoons/films.
Creation of a future remote learning system (once the technology becomes more affordable) whereby a student can MoCap their kungfu sets/sequences, upload and be given feedback as to how it compares to the Master's.
Incorporation of 360 degree 3-D animated sets into E-books (in supplement to video).
As a comparison between standard video and MoCap consider:
A complex sparring set including a throw
On video: We can view the set from a single angle and we can pause the action. We may not be able to see finer points such as hand forms and we cannot see what is facing away from the camera, nor what is obscured during the process of the two practitioners coming together to perform the throw.
On MoCap: We can view the set from absolutely any angle -- we can rotate 360 degrees as well as pause the action. We can zoom in on finer details such as waist position, leg and arm positions, hand forms. We can see all the transitional details even when the attacks are performed rapidly. During the throw itself we can rotate the action to see how the two practitioners interact to perform the throw, as well as finer details such as foot and waist positioning as well as grip placement.
Would anyone else like to see a Shaolin Wahnam archive created using motion capture technology?
It's a great technology and has been used in professional applications, but how would you do this technology wise in a normal environment with a limited budget and setup?
Best regards
Andrea
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Dear Sije,
This technology (to do it right) requires several high quality specialized cameras, software that takes the multiple camera angles and combines them into a 3D image, and trained personnel to calibrate the equipment, perform setup, run the test, and deal with missing data points after collection, etc, so it is usually run by organizations like those that create movies, or universities/colleges that have a human kinetics department and use the tool for research. In the big scheme of things, for research departments, it is not that expensive (relative to MRI, etc...) but for a personal project it is very expensive.
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