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What is facial motion capture technology? What is the application of facial motion capture technology? Facial mocap is a motion capture technology that is used in the movie production industry to capture real facial expressions and apply them to the actors’ faces in an animated movie. Find out more about facial motion capture here.
What is facial motion capture technology?
Facial motion capture is the process of electronically translating the movements of a person’s face into a digital database using cameras or laser scanners. This information can then be utilized to create CG, computer animation for movies, games, or real-time avatars. Because the motion of CG characters is generated from the movements of real humans, the computer character animation is more realistic and nuanced than if it were created manually.
The coordinates or relative positions of reference points on the actor’s face are described in a facial motion capture database.
The face capture can be:
- Two-dimensional – in which case the procedure is referred to as “expression tracking”
- Three-dimensional – in which case the process is referred to as “expression tracking”.
A single-camera and capture software can be used to produce two-dimensional capture. This results in less sophisticated tracking that fails to capture three-dimensional motions like head rotation. Multi-camera setups or laser marker systems are used to capture three-dimensional data.
These systems are usually much more expensive, sophisticated, and time-consuming to operate. Marker and marker-less tracking systems are the two most used technologies.
Facial motion capture is similar to body motion capture, but it is more difficult due to the greater resolution needs for detecting and tracking subtle expressions made possible by minute eye and lip movements.
Because these motions are often only a few millimeters in length, they necessitate much higher resolution and fidelity, as well as different filtering techniques than those utilized in full-body capture. The face’s additional limitations open up more possibilities for employing models and rules.
The capture of facial expressions is comparable to the capture of facial motions. It’s a method of manipulating computer-generated characters with input from human faces or recognizing a user’s emotions via visual or mechanical means.
>>>Read more: What is Motion Capture?
The application of facial motion capture technology
Computer graphics
The field of computer graphics is concerned with the use of computers to create visuals. Computer graphics is now used in digital photography, cinema, video games, mobile phone and computer displays, and a wide range of other applications.
Most devices’ displays are driven by computer graphics technology, which has resulted in a significant amount of specialized hardware and software development. Verne Hudson and William Fetter of Boeing, computer graphics experts, created the word in 1960. It is sometimes abbreviated as CG or computer-generated imagery in the context of movies (CGI). Computer science research focuses on the non-artistic aspects of computer graphics.
Computer facial animation is a branch of computer graphics that covers methods and techniques for creating and animating images or models of a character’s face. A human, a humanoid, an animal, a legendary creature or character, or something else.
One of the most difficult and sought-after aspects of computer-generated images is the realistic modeling of human facial features. Computer facial animation is a complicated field with models containing a huge number of animation variables.
>>>Read more: Pros and Cons of Motion capture? The development of Motion capture Asia
Computer animation
Using Blender facial motion capture data is a great way to create amazing animations. The practice of creating animated visuals digitally is known as computer animation. Computer animation only refers to moving visuals, but computer-generated imagery (CGI) comprises both static scenes and dynamic graphics.
To create a three-dimensional image, modern computer animation typically employs 3D computer graphics. The computer is sometimes the target of the animation, but it can also be filmed.
>>>Read more: New technology innovating 3D animation production industry
The future development trend of facial motion capture technology
The demand for Motion Capture
Over the last few years, the motion capture business has made enormous strides, and demand for 3D motion capture technology has skyrocketed, particularly in the media and entertainment industries.
Over the last few years, 3D motion capture from the video has undergone significant technological growth, and technology has developed to make 3D body motion tracking simpler and more efficient to employ.
3D motion capture systems are mostly reliant on 3D motion capture cameras, which have progressed in recent years and now employ AI and machine learning to improve motion capture. Motion capture systems are now being combined with multimedia and graphics software to add more features and improve 3D capture performance.
Some of the primary factors impacting the worldwide 3D motion capture market include increased use of VFX and animation technologies in the media and entertainment industries, rising demand for high-quality 3D animation, technological developments, changing end-use industry trends, and so on.
The need for specialized hardware and software to place 3D motion tracking cameras and analyze the data acquired from them is predicted to have a negative impact on the market and limit the potential of 3D motion capture.
What is the outlook for Facial Motion Capture Providers?
The media and entertainment business is likely to drive demand for 3D motion capture throughout East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific. The market potential in these regions is projected to be heavily influenced by increased demand for efficient animation equipment and the use of 3D motion capture technologies.
The 3D motion capture providers are likely to gain from the expanding area of application in the medical and biomechanical industries in these regions.
Conclusion
In the process of using facial motion capture technology, it is necessary to grasp the facial muscle movement and to use the method of psychological judgment with the perfect combination, usage, and application.
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Animost – Vietnam 3D Animation Studio
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