Training

HENRY FORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Course Master

(Form revised November 2007)


Approved by:

Division: Fine Arts and Fitness: Jan 7, 2009

Academic/Career Education Council: Jan 28, 2009

College Council: Feb 2, 2009

I. Division: Fine Arts and Fitness

II. Course Number and Title: STH 262: Introduction to Motion Capture

III. Credit Hours: 3 credit hours

IV. Total Contact Hours: 47

V. Prerequisite: Art 209 Maya with a grade of C or Better.

VI. Co-requisites: None

VII. Course Grading Scale: A – E

VIII. Catalog Description: A lab-based computer class dealing with the principles of Motion Capture Performance and Motion Capture Production for use in Virtual Theatricality, Motion Pictures, Gaming, Television, Web Media and Motion Studies. This course provides an introduction to the motion capture pipeline from setting up the lab and capturing data to applying the data to animated characters in MotionBuilder. This introductory class will be limited to body capture only.

IX. Goal Statement : To prepare students for the two remaining classes in the Henry Ford Community College Motion Capture course sequence.

X. Measurable Objectives

Major Core Course Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:
• Identify the advantages and limitations associated with the Motion Capture process*
• Demonstrate correct body marker placement
• Demonstrate Camera Calibration, Set Up and Focusing
• Perform a Range of Motion trial (ROM)
• Work within a Motion Capture Pipeline
• Create Motion Capture Model Marker Sets
• Import/Export characters and motion data from MotionBuilder to the most popular 3D packages
Detailed Course Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:
• Set up the Vicon Motion Capture System
• Navigate and Manage Blade 1.5
• Prepare the Volume
• Set Up Characters
• Set Up Actors
• Capture a Simple Body Performance of One Character
XI. Assessment of Academic Achievement
• Objective Quizzes
• Midterm
• Final
• A rendered Mo-Cap final project
XII. General Course Requirements and Recommendations

• Excellent attendance
• Full participation in each exercise
• Objective feedback for other students
• Full professional courtesy to other students
• Willingness to step outside one’s personal level of comfort

XIII. Texts: Windsor, Brian, MoCap for Artists, Focal Press, 2008.

XIV. Core Course Topics

I. HISTORY
A. Early Attempts.
B. Rotoscoping.
C. Beginning of Digital Mo-Cap.

II. TYPES
A. Optical.
B. Magnetic.
C. Mechanical.
D. “Markerless” (Facial and Full Body).

III. PREPRODUCTION
A. Script.
B. Storyboard.
C. Shot List.
D. Animatic.
E. Preparation For Capture.
1. Talent.
2. Marker Sets.
a. System Limitations.
b.Type of Motion to be Captured.
c.Anatomy.
F. Capture Volume.
G. Shot List.
H. Capture Schedule.
I. Rehearsals.
J. Props.
K. Suits and Markers.

IV. PIPELINE.
A. Setting Up A Skeleton for a 3D Character.
B. Calibrations.
1. System Calibrations.
2. Subject Calibration.
C. Capture Sessions.
1. Audio and Video References.
2. Organization.
3. Preventing Occlusions.

XV. Can credit for this course be granted through credit for prior-college level learning?

No.

XVI. Does this course satisfy MACRAO requirements?

No.

* Meets critical thinking objectives