Get Motion File

The Channel->Get Motion File commands in the Motion module load motion capture files of different formats. At present, all file formats represent motion data captured using optical technology.

The Channel->Get Motion File commands are implemented as custom effects. Their associated executables and .cus files are found in the /chnlDriver/custom_motion subdirectory of the directory where SOFTIMAGE 3D is installed. Ensure that the directory specified by the SI_CUSTOM_MOTION environment variable contains these files.

Acclaim_Skeleton

The Acclaim_Skeleton command reads Acclaim skeleton files (they have an .asf suffix) and automatically creates a skeleton composed of 3D chains in SOFTIMAGE 3D. The .asf file format defines the initial position of a skeleton along with all of the bone attributes, such as the name, parent information, and the degrees of freedom information that each bone uses for capturing motion data. A channel setup file is also automatically created, containing all the required channel connections to capture data on that skeleton.

Acclaim channel setup files have an .amc file extension. The .amc file format indicates the values of each degree of freedom for each bone for all the frames of the animation. The motion data from the .amc file is then sent with the proper rotation values to the skeleton created in SOFTIMAGE 3D.

Procedure

1. Choose the Channel->Acclaim_Skeleton command. The Acclaim Skeleton dialogue box is displayed:
2. In the dialogue box, specify these options:

• Name of the Acclaim Skeleton File (.asf). This file contains the hierarchy definition and the names of the degrees of freedom for each animated bone.
• Name of a Acclaim Motion File (.amc). This file contains the motion capture data and refers to the degrees of freedom specified in the .asf files.

Use the Select buttons in the dialogue box to navigate in the directory structure to easily locate your files.

3. Click Ok to load an Acclaim skeleton file and motion file.

Biovision_Animation

Biovision has a proprietary file format for motion capture data with the file extension .bva. The Biovision_Animation command reads a Biovision data file and transmits the animation data to SOFTIMAGE 3D. Biovision has both a hierarchy and a motion file format, but this command currently supports only the motion file.

1. Choose the Channel->Biovision_Animation command. A Biovision Animation dialogue box is displayed:
2. Specify a Biovision Animation File. Click Select to browse through other directories for a Biovision Animation file.
3. The Biovision motion format specifies both translational and rotational motion data. You can use the Position Data and Rotation Data options to choose whether to import translational or rotational motion data.
4. Click Ok.

The Biovision_Animation command loads an animated set of nulls under a single parent. You can then constrain these nulls to an existing model.

For more information on using constraints with channel captured data, refer to Calibrate.

MotionAnalysis_Animation

Motion Analysis has a file format for motion capture data (.trc), which specifies translational animation. The MotionAnalysis_Animation command reads these file and loads an animated set of nulls under a single parent.

1. Choose the Channel->MotionAnalysis_Animation command. The Motion Analysis Animation dialogue box is displayed:
2. Specify a Motion Analysis Animation File. Click Select to browse through other directories for a Motion Analysis Animation file.
3. Click Ok.

The MotionAnalysis_Animation command loads an animated set of nulls under a single parent. You can then constrain these nulls to an existing model.

For more information on using constraints with channel captured data, refer to Calibrate.

Superfluo_Animation

The Superfluo_Animation command loads an animated set of nulls under a single parent. The Superfluo file format specifies translational animation.

1. Choose the Channel->Superfluo_Animation command. The Superfluo Animation dialogue box is displayed:
2. Specify a Superfluo Animation File. Click Select to browse through other directories for a Superfluo Animation file.
3. Click Ok.

The Superfluo_Animation command loads an animated set of nulls under a single parent. You can then constrain these nulls to an existing model.

For more information on using constraints with channel captured data, refer to Calibrate.

Last updated 03-apr-1998