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Xsens Mocap for Animation

High-quality animations need top-quality motion capture data. With Xsens, You can record the data most efficiently, fully integrated into your pipeline, and anywhere you want.

Motion Capture for Animation →
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Xsens Motion Capture for Health, Sports and Safety

To create a healthier and safer workplace, or become a better athlete, Xsens provides accurate, validated and valuable motion data insights on the work floor, in the lab, or on the field.

Motion Capture for Health, Sports and Safety →
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Motion Capture Applications
Create high-quality animations for game, film, and more

Xsens motion capture offers unmatched precision, ease of use, robustness and reliability. Xsens delivers production-ready data, making it the ideal tool for animators. Data can be live or reprocessed to achieve an even higher level of detail and accuracy. Create an optimized and effecient pipeline using plug-ins for all major 3D engines.

Featured application areas

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Game Development

Motion capture allows game developers to capture human movement, translating them into digital animations for in-game characters. This brings a level of realism and fluidity that other animation methods struggle to achieve. Xsens motion capture systems are perfectly suited for game development studios, offering a streamlined workflow, and effortless integration with game engines. 

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VFX & Cinematic Production

By capturing the movements of actors, filmmakers can seamlessly integrate characters into their VFX pipeline, either in real-time or for post. Motion capture allows for realistic and believable interactions between actors and digital characters, pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.

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Virtual Production

Virtual production merges live-action shooting with real-time computer-generated (CG) environments.  Xsens motion capture plays a crucial role in this process, allowing for the creation of virtual characters and sets that interact with actors in real-time.  

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Virtual Live Show

In virtual live shows, performers interact with digitally generated environments and characters in real-timeMotion capture allows for the creation of these dynamic virtual elements, adding a new layer of engagement and spectacle to live performances.  

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Motion Capture Applications
Health, Sports, and Safety

Xsens motion capture is the perfect tools for analyzing human movement for various applications such as sports performance, ergonomic assessments, rehabilitation, and more.  Through wearable motion capture systems, specialized software, and automated cloud-based reports, you can capture accurate kinematic data and assess subjects in every environment. 

Featured application areas

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Sports Science

Motion capture plays a crucial role in sports biomechanics. By analyzing the nuances of an athlete's movement, scientists gain valuable insights into athletic performance and how to prevent injuries. Xsens is perfectly suited for this application. Its portability allows researchers to capture athletes in their natural training environments, providing a more realistic picture of movement patterns compared to traditional lab settings.

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Ergonomics & Human Factors

Traditional methods of ergonomics analysis can be subjective and time-consuming. Xsens motion capture offers a fast, objective solutionBy capturing precise movement data in real-world work environments, companies can identify potential ergonomic risks associated with repetitive tasks, leading to improved workplace design and reduced musculoskeletal disorders.

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Rehabilitation & Injury Prevention

Motion capture plays a vital role in rehabilitation and injury preventionTraditional methods often lack precision and objectivityXsens motion capture systems provide highly accurate and objective data on patient movement patterns. This empowers healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about treatment plans, rehabilitation exercises, and injury prevention strategies.

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Research and Education

Motion capture transcends traditional limitations by enabling researchers and educators to accurately study human movement. Xsens' portable motion capture systems allow for capturing real-world movements with exceptional detail. This opens doors for in-depth analysis across various disciplines. 

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Motion Capture

Why Choose Xsens Motion Capture?

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Capture or Record anywhere

Get clean mocap data in any environment - in the studio, the office or outside.

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Accurate motion data

High quality data means less cleanup and reliable insights

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Quick set-up, easy to use

Your mocap system is up and running in minutes.

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Cutting-edge tech

Xsens’ tiny motion trackers capture the smallest twitches to high dynamic movements.

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Xsens motion capture hardware

We understand that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to motion capture. We offer three motion capture hardware options for different needs and use cases: Xsens Link, Xsens Awinda and Xsens Awinda Starter. All set-ups use 17 sensors and provide exceptionally high-quality mocap data. Choose the one that fits your needs, application, and budget. For precise hand and finger tracking, we offer Xsens motion capture gloves.

 

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Features

Xsens Awinda starter

Xsens Awinda

Xsens Link

Sensors

17 wireless sensors

17 wireless sensors
(plus 1 prop sensor)

17 sensors
(plus 1 prop sensor)

Clothing

Full body strap set. This includes 3 t-shirts (sizes S, L, XXL) and a strap set

Full body strap set. This includes 3 t-shirts (sizes S, L, XXL) and a strap set

Full body Lycra suit available in 6 sizes (S-4XL)

Update rate

Up to 60 Hz

Up to 60 Hz

Up to 240 Hz

Range

25m

60m

150m

Battery life

6 hours

6 hours

10 hours


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Xsens motion capture software

Xsens software goes beyond just capturing movement. They provide powerful tools to analyze, process, and integrate motion data into your existing workflow. Xsens motion capture software is available in two versions. Xsens Animate for entertainment applications and Xsens Analyze for health and sports, and research. We also offer cloud-based solutions to process and store data and generate reports.

FAQ about Motion Capture

What is Motion Capture? 

Motion capture, also known as mocap or motion tracking, is the process of recording human movement and transforming it into digital data. This data can be used in various applications such as animation, biomechanics research, healthcare, sports performance, ergonomic assessment, and more. Motion capture breathes life into digital characters, provides valuable insights into human movement, and allows for the development of innovative training and rehabilitation programs.

How Does Motion Capture Work? 

Capturing motion involves several steps. Firstly, the subject is prepared for the capture session. This may involve attaching markers or sensors to the subject's body, ensuring they are properly calibrated, and setting up the mocap stage with cameras or other equipment.

 

Once the subject is prepared, the capture session begins. The subject performs the desired movements, which is recorded by the motion capture system. The system captures the position and orientation of the markers or sensors in real-time, creating a stream of movement data. Different motion capture technologies use different ways to record movement. 

 

After the capture session, the movement data is processed and cleaned up using dedicated software. This involves removing noise or errors in the data and refining the captured movements.

 

The cleaned-up motion data can then be used in various applications. It can be used to animate characters in video games, create motion sequences for movies, analyze and improve sports performance, make ergonomic assessments, and much more.

What are the Uses of Motion Capture? 

Motion capture has emerged as a transformative technology for many industries. It has changed how we analyze, create, and interact with movement. From immersive animations in blockbuster films to the intricacies of human movement, motion capture data unlocks a world of possibilities. 

 

Take a look at some of the key applications of motion capture

Why Use Inertial Motion Capture?

Inertial motion capture offers a distinct set of advantages over optical motion capture, making it an indispensable tool in various applications. Here's a breakdown of its key benefits:

 

  • Freedom of movement: Unlike optical systems with markers and studio constraints, inertial mocap allows for complete freedom of movement in any location. While some inertial mocap systems may struggle with accuracy in environments with magnetic interference, Xsens offers complete magnetic immunity, ensuring high-quality data capture regardless of the environment - on-set, in the lab, in the studio, at the workplace, or on the field, everywhere.

  • Portability and ease of use: Inertial mocap systems are compact, lightweight, and user-friendly. They can be set up quickly, making them ideal for on-location shoots, field research or clinical assessments. Inertial motion capture also eliminates the need for cumbersome markers. This simplifies setup, reduces preparation time, and potentially enhances the acting experience by allowing for more natural movement, which translates into character authenticity in the final animation. 

  • Exceptional accuracy: Xsens mocap’s advanced sensor fusion algorithms and meticulous calibration processes deliver exceptional data accuracy for most applications. Xsens provides HD reprocessed, production-ready data that requires minimal cleanup. Due to the nature of inertial motion capture, there is no absolute positioning, although it’s close with minimal drift. Absolute positioning can be achieved by adding compatible 3D position-aiding technology.

  • Instantly available for use: Having an inertial mocap suit instantly available is a significant advantage. Setting up an optical or markerless shoot takes time and personnel, whereas Xsens can be ready in about 15 minutes. This allows for spontaneous use without the need for extensive preparation. 

  • Cost-effectiveness: Compared to traditional optical systems, inertial mocap offers a more cost-effective solution. The elimination of studio setup costs and the ease of use contribute to a lower overall investment. With top of the line motion capture systems such as Xsens that provide production-ready data, the total cost of ownership is even lower as you save time valuable time in post production. 

What are the Different Motion Capture Systems? 

There are three main types of motion capture systems: optical, inertial, and markerless (AI). Each offers unique advantages and considerations:

 

Inertial Motion Capture

 

Inertial mocap utilizes sensors placed on different parts of the body. These sensors are equipped with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers, that measure orientation, acceleration and magnetic field interaction. Software then processes this data and reconstructs the movement in 3D space. Xsens is one of the most trusted inertial motion capture technologies, renowned for its exceptional accuracy, ease of use, and robust data processing. Xsens systems are ideal for capturing complex movements in real-world environments.

 

Pros

  • Offers freedom of movement compared to optical systems.

  • Portable and suitable for capturing motion in various locations.

  • No need for markers, simplifying setup and enhancing the acting experience.

 

Cons

  • Due to lack of absolute positioning, drift can occur over time. Xsens overcomes drift with advanced algorithms. 

  • Susceptible to distortion from magnetic fields. However, Xsens mocap offers full magnetic immunity and can be used in any environment. 

 

Optical Motion Capture

 

Optical mocap employs multiple high-speed cameras strategically placed in a controlled studio environment. Cameras track reflective markers attached to the actor's body. Software then analyzes the marker positions in each frame, reconstructing the 3D movement data.

 

Pros

  • High accuracy, particularly for detailed movements like facial expressions.

  • Established technology with a long track record.

Cons

  • Requires a dedicated and controlled environment with specific lighting conditions to avoid marker occlusion.

  • Can restrict actor movement due to marker placement limitations.

  • Setup and calibration can be time-consuming.

  • Requires technical knowledge and multi-person team to operate.

  • Expensive and not ideal for multi-actor scenes with close-contact movements.

 

Markerless or AI Motion Capture

 

This emerging technology utilizes computer vision and machine learning algorithms to analyze video footage and reconstruct 3D movement data without requiring markers or sensors on the actor.

 

Pros

  • Least intrusive approach, offering maximum freedom of movement.

  • Lower setup costs compared to other methods.

Cons

  • Accuracy can be lower compared to optical and inertial systems, particularly for complex movements or in challenging lighting conditions.

  • Requires a setup with cameras or phones.

  • Still under development, with ongoing improvements in accuracy and robustness. 

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Seamless integration for efficient workflows

We understand the value of seamless integration with existing workflows. Our motion capture solutions integrate effortlessly with a wide range of third-party software commonly used in animation, VFX, biomechanics, and healthcare applications. This ensures that Xsens mocap data can be easily imported and utilized within your preferred tools, maximizing efficiency and productivity.