8 tools making remote motion capture possible in 2022 | Evercast Blog

A decade ago, the idea of “remote motion capture” would have seemed about as realistic as a global pandemic. But just as we found out with the latter, remote motion capture isn’t just possible; it’s here way faster than we could have ever predicted. 

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But now, thanks to massive advancements in motion capture technology and remote video production platforms, it’s possible to set up a fully-functioning remote motion capture studio from pretty much anywhere.  

Can motion capture teams really do their work remotely? 

What’s truly amazing about the rapid advancements in motion capture tech is that they really do allow motion capture teams to work from just about anywhere and collaborate in real-time. 

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Traditionally, motion capture teams have required large spaces that are either purpose-built for a motion capture shoot or retrofitted with large backdrops and lighting grids. This was because accurate movement tracking was dependent on dozens of specialized cameras and an actor that was covered head-to-toe in colored tracking dots that each needed to read on camera. 

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Now, you can accurately capture movement at home with a motion-capture system that consists of nothing more than a few sensors, a couple of lights, and an iPhone. We’ve really come a long way. 

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If you’re looking to start experimenting with remote shoots or are considering ways to downsize your motion capture rig so you can work remotely, we’ve got your guide to the latest and greatest tools that will allow you to work anywhere at any time, and conduct a motion capture session on demand. 

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The Basics

Before we go any further into the specialized hardware and software required for remote motion capture, we need to cover the basics. 

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To successfully create a remote motion capture “studio,” you’ll need to first find a space where your talent can move comfortably without banging into anything, and ideally, where you can always have an unobstructed view of their movements. 

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While most of the modern motion capture technology we’ll cover doesn’t require you to have a clear 360-degree view of your performers, you will want to at least have an open area where you can set up a reference camera to capture the “raw” performance alongside the motion capture data. 

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You also want to make sure you have enough space for your talent to complete each required movement without risk of injury during performance capture. 

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You’ll also need:

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• A computer with a high-speed graphics card and CPU capable of running 3D motion graphics software
• A portable camera for facial movement capture
• A camera to capture reference footage

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For facial capture, you probably already have an advanced mocap camera in your pocket. Most current iPhones have a TrueDepth camera that allows them to capture 3D facial features for FaceID and augmented reality filters. You can use this to capture facial performances and pair it with a motion capture app for incredibly accurate renderings. 

Software tools

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For successful remote motion capture, you’ll need 3D rendering and animation software that’s capable of receiving your motion capture data and translating it into animation. You’ll also need a way to communicate with your team so you can collaborate during both capture and edit sessions. 

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These solutions are some of the best available for creating and rendering 3D graphics from anywhere in the world.