This is just a pretty cool way to show your boss that you’ve actually been working.
This visualization was created from one of our old projects SVN repository using Gource.
Device limbo
How low can you go in 6D device price-performance
Xaelander
I’ve been offline for over a year in a commercialization effort and am just getting around to posting some results from this period.
This video shows a dual-hand tracking system I developed in OpenCV for desktop applications using a two retro-reflective TrackIR cameras.
The system gave 100fps calibrated 3D position with 1 marker and 6D with 3 or more per hand.
While today there are much more affordable solutions for this purpose but I’ll keep this solution around for cases when accurate fast position tracking without wires is needed. The IR smart cameras are also pretty cool in general but as webcam solutions improve along with depth image sensors like the Kinect, Xtion and PrimeSense cameras, their are fewer and fewer applications where they are the best solution.
Blur rocks
Our final demo was followed by an awsome presentation by Blur studios showing their animation production pipeline amongst other things. They pipe Viacom mopcap through motion builder, to Max to xsi and a few places in between with scary good character results.
We got to talking afterwards and it looked like we both wanted the same thing so I just handed over the show X2M prototype and started working with them.
I’ve got the tech working but it’s useless if it’s not in a form that can be used.
I already have Chris Murray’s feedback from the show, the twopt camera will soon have one click attach, offset and motion scale.
The fun begins… and the bagpipes just started amazing grace… shows over.
We got to talking afterwards and it looked like we both wanted the same thing so I just handed over the show X2M prototype and started working with them.
I’ve got the tech working but it’s useless if it’s not in a form that can be used.
I already have Chris Murray’s feedback from the show, the twopt camera will soon have one click attach, offset and motion scale.
The fun begins… and the bagpipes just started amazing grace… shows over.
Last day
I’m here for support, but feel like a 3rd wheel because everything has been rock solid since we first calibrated last Saturday.
Next, and last, show will be 10am. Were hoping this will be the one we keep on the area. Last nights show went very well, but was choppy because everything was being translated to Spanlsh.
Home tomorrow with lots to think about.
Next, and last, show will be 10am. Were hoping this will be the one we keep on the area. Last nights show went very well, but was choppy because everything was being translated to Spanlsh.
Home tomorrow with lots to think about.
End of first day.
Long day.
The X2M performed on queue even though the rest of the demo suffered first day jitters.
The show floor is much smaller than previous years. Someone blurted out that its because Autodesk bought everyone else out, but it’s obviously the times. It was far easier to soak the conference floor in as each exhibitor gets more quality time from the attendents.
Still, cool stuff, and things to make one think.
Tomorrow we’re on at 9:30am to try again…
The X2M performed on queue even though the rest of the demo suffered first day jitters.
The show floor is much smaller than previous years. Someone blurted out that its because Autodesk bought everyone else out, but it’s obviously the times. It was far easier to soak the conference floor in as each exhibitor gets more quality time from the attendents.
Still, cool stuff, and things to make one think.
Tomorrow we’re on at 9:30am to try again…
Calm before the storm
Siggraph exhibits hall all setup and waiting for the first mornings rush.
Here is a shot of the Autodesk Booth where Chris Murray and friends will be showing off 3DS Max previz workflow with a cameo appearance of Motion4u’s latest X2M mobility.Configuration.
Show starts at 10am Pacific time.
If you’re not at Siggraph, Autodesk will be streaming all their show demos live from the “Area” section f their website.
Here is a shot of the Autodesk Booth where Chris Murray and friends will be showing off 3DS Max previz workflow with a cameo appearance of Motion4u’s latest X2M mobility.Configuration.
Show starts at 10am Pacific time.
If you’re not at Siggraph, Autodesk will be streaming all their show demos live from the “Area” section f their website.
X2M at Siggraph
This is a quick pic of motion4u’s latest “mobility” motion capture product. They will be streaming live from autodesk’s Area forum as part of this years 3DS Max previz demo.
It will only be live for a short time, but it’s already generating early buzz.
If you get a chance check out Autodesks stream.
It will only be live for a short time, but it’s already generating early buzz.
If you get a chance check out Autodesks stream.
Students Aid World Fair Project
For anyone curious about where all this webcam tracking is heading. I’ve been developing an application which allows middle school students to assemble their drawings or “sketches” into 3D scenes which they then fly around and “tell” us about specific features of their design.
Tagged 3d game, 3D game controller, game, input device, webcam tracker, world fair Check out the news article about how the beta testing is proceeding.
Camera grabbing with webcam
This is my first attempt at one and two handed camera grabbing using the 3D webcam points.
It’s workable as a demo but not terribly usable with the 3D cursors being invisible before grabbing. This style of interface works best when the cursors are always visible. Having real buttons is to grab and release the world is much more powerful. I had to add nearly critical damping on the data to reduce camera noise. I also added an “up” constraint to keep the world from tumbling out of control.
Most of this was expected, I just wanted to see camera grabbing before I focused on doing the actual “kid friendly” interface which will have a smart game style camera rotating in increments to keep objects in view that are being moved by the same method shown here. Objects with rotation snap constraints in pitch, yaw and scale. Gonna show this next…
3D cursors from webcam
Progress is slow, but I’ve now reached a point where the two handed 3d point based interfaces are possible with a reasonably good webcam. This video is using an HP deluxe webcam that delivers 640×480 at 30fps. I’m also cross-testing on a Logitech Quickcam Chat with 320×240 at 15-30fps. While this does work on the Quickcam the difference in FOV and quality is significant.
I’ve added a simple calibration procedure that adjusts for different webcam FOV and operating areas that I’ll document later in a tutorial vid for the kids that need to use the SketchNTell app I’m developing.
There’s also a camera config file now along with an app panel on the tools menubar.