As I mentioned before, I decided to use Vicon motion capture for the character animation of my artefact because it’s both fast and realistic. To get started, I booked a session with Kay and enlisted the help of my friend, who is also a huge Star Wars fan, to act out my shots. For all the animations, I needed detailed finger movements, so we had to attach sensors to the nails using double-sided tape. This process was quite tedious, but essential for capturing the nuanced hand gestures.
After calibrating the cameras and getting Stanley suited up, it was time to record. We captured all the necessary animations: stormtroopers standing guard, Darth Vader passing by, and two stormtroopers sitting and holding a drink. At the end of the session, Stanley even danced to a song, and we recorded the entire performance. If time permits, I’m planning to include this fun dance in the bloopers of my artefact.
Vicon motion capture, widely used in the entertainment and gaming industries, is known for its precision and ability to capture complex movements. The system uses multiple cameras to track reflective markers placed on the actor’s body, translating their movements into 3D data. This data can then be applied to digital characters, ensuring realistic motion and behaviour. Vicon’s system is highly valued for its accuracy in capturing fine details, making it ideal for animations that require lifelike motion.
The session lasted about four hours, and everyone involved had a great time. I’m now looking forward to integrating these animations into UE5, as Serra taught us, using retargeting and cleaning up the animations to fit perfectly into my project. The experience was incredibly rewarding, and I can’t wait to see how these animations will enhance my artefact.
