QUOTE(fayer @ 05/27/06, 02:02 PM) [snapback]238357[/snapback]
Does anyone knows whether it is possible to capture an artist's motion using a number of light-emitting markers and a generic DV camera(s)? What additional software should I use for this? (please, if you want to write that it is impossible and beyound the human's possibilities, don't do this)
It's certainly not impossible, and it has been done before. I don't recommend it, but saying that, if it's your only option for motion data then this is how I would go about it.
Firstly, the more cameras the better. Top-end optical rigs often feature 20+ cameras. Certainly, I would not consider anything less than 4, and preferably 8 for better coverage. When setting up the cameras, get rid of autofocus functions and any kind of whizzy image correction or stabilation modes. Shoot in mono, cut in any basic low-light functions since you're only interested in the light-emitting markers. Make sure every camera is doing the same thing, the same way.
Secondly, limit your number of positional markers. Since this type of process is never going to deliver brilliant, engine-ready data, I guess you already understand that this is going to be rough and ready. Lots of markers is just going to be damn confusing. If you are not doing anything too demanding, then you could get away with as few as twenty markers.
Software-wise, there's a lot of stuff for tracking 2d into 3d out there. Look to your existing comp software, such as Shake, Combustion, After Effects or Nuke. Plus theres some cool plug-ins for tracking laser points during scene integration for film sets.
When you're shooting you need ironclad light discipline. This is already important in optical capture, but is even more relevant for an improvised system, particularly one using active markers. Use as dark a space as you can get, sit computers behind opaque flats and remember that light bounces. If necessary, black out the crew area while shooting. We did this on Scarlet last year for superior results, and we had a proper