A method is described comprising: applying a random pattern to specified regions of an object; tracking the movement of the random pattern during a motion capture session; and generating motion data representing the movement of the object using the tracked movement of the random pattern.
G06T 13/40 - 3D [Three Dimensional] animation of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings
G06V 10/24 - Aligning, centring, orientation detection or correction of the image
H04N 5/222 - Studio circuitryStudio devicesStudio equipment
H04N 13/239 - Image signal generators using stereoscopic image cameras using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance
H04N 23/56 - Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensorsControl thereof provided with illuminating means
H04N 23/73 - Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene by influencing the exposure time
H04N 23/74 - Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
H04N 23/90 - Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
2.
System and method for performing motion capture and image reconstruction
A system and method are described for performing motion capture on a subject. For example, a computer-implemented method according to one embodiment of the invention comprise: creating a scalar field for the three-dimensional (3-D) capture volume of the subject; generating a surface mesh for the scalar field; retaining good vertices and removing bad vertices of the surface mesh; and storing the good vertices for use in subsequent reconstruction of the motion of the subject. Another computer-implemented method comprises: capturing a series of image frames of the subject over a period of time each frame each frame having a plurality of vertices defining a captured surface of the subject; establishing a reference frame having one or more of the plurality of vertices; performing frame-to-frame tracking to identify vertices within the N′th frame based on the (N−1)′th frame or an earlier frame; and performing reference-to-frame tracking to identify vertices within the N′th frame based on the reference frame to counter potential drift between the frames. Yet another computer-implemented method comprises: capturing motion capture data including a plurality of images of the N vertices during a motion capture session; retrospectively identifying X of the N vertices to track across the plurality of images where X
A system and method are described for performing motion capture on a subject. For example, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: mixing phosphorescent makeup with a makeup base; applying the mixture of phosphorescent makeup and makeup base to surface regions of a motion capture subject; strobing a light source on and off, the light source charging phosphor within the phosphorescent makeup when on; and strobing the shutters of a first plurality of cameras synchronously with the strobing of the light source to capture images of the phosphorescent makeup, wherein the shutters are open when the light source is off and the shutters are closed when the light source is on.
A system and method are described for performing motion capture on a subject using fluorescent lamps. For example, a system according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: a synchronization signal generator to generate one or more synchronization signals; one or more fluorescent lamps configured to strobe on and off responsive to a first one of the one or more synchronization signals, the fluorescent lamps charging phosphorescent makeup, paint or dye applied to a subject for a motion capture session; and a plurality of cameras having shutters strobed synchronously with the strobing of the light source to capture images of the phosphorescent paint, wherein the shutters are open when the light source is off and the shutters are closed when the light source is on.
A system and method are described for performing motion capture on stop-motion animated characters. For example, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: embedding phosphor within a moldable material; forming one or more stop-motion objects from the moldable material to create a first phosphor pattern; exposing the moldable material to a light source; removing the light source; and capturing the first phosphor pattern with a first set of one or more cameras.
A method is described comprising: applying a random pattern to specified regions of an object; tracking the movement of the random pattern during a motion capture session; and generating motion data representing the movement of the object using the tracked movement of the random pattern.
A method is described comprising: applying phosphorescent paint to specified regions of a performer's face and/or body; strobing a light source on and off, the light source charging the phosphorescent paint when on; and strobing the shutters of a first plurality of cameras synchronously with the strobing of the light source to capture images of the phosphorescent paint, wherein the shutters are open when the light source is off and the shutters are closed when the light source is open.
A system, apparatus and method are described for improving marker identification within a motion capture system. For example, a system according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: a plurality of cameras configurable for a motion capture session, each of the cameras having an illuminating device for generating light and a lens for capturing light reflected off of one or more retro-reflective markers used for the motion capture session; and a plurality of pieces of polarized material coupled over the illuminating device and the lens of each of the cameras, wherein for each individual camera, either a first orientation or a second orientation for the polarized material is selected based on which other cameras are within the individual camera's field of view and the orientation of the polarized material used for the other cameras, the first orientation being perpendicular to the second orientation.
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