xbox 360 Kinect?

Greenlaw · **Posted:** Tue Dec 14, 2010 1:14 pm

No. You get a lot more spacial data from multiple camera angles (i.e., 4 to 6 PS3 cameras placed in a circle or semi-circle); Kinect can only record data from one angle. Now don't get me wrong, Kinect is a great system for getting the most out of one camera angle because you at least have some z depth information, but this approach has its limitations, especially for full body capture. For example, it can't track body parts that are occluded by the body.

And, as explained here and elsewhere, you can't use multiple Kinects because it uses IR to record depth. (IR coming from multiple angles will corrupt the depth information.)

G.

mirekuhlir · **Joined:** Mon Dec 13, 2010 1:50 am **Posts:** 4

Thanks for the explanation.

Greenlaw · **Posted:** Wed Dec 15, 2010 12:54 am

I should add that if you don't really need the level of accuracy that multiple PS3 cameras will give you, a single Kinect may be suitable because it should require far less space to use.

For example, with a setup of four PS3 cameras, I'm taking up an entire two-car garage, and I still could use a lot more space for full body capture. Also, streaming synchronized video from 4 to 6 cameras and tracking that much data requires an above average computer and graphics card, plus additional hardware like USB repeater cables, multiple c-stands or tripods, and a helicoil kit to mod the camera base.

A single Kinect, on the other hand, should only require a standard living room space and an average gaming computer (at least in theory,) and should be even more 'plug-and-play'. I think many 'mainstream' users may find the Kinect easier to use and more appealing. Of course, they shouldn't expect professional results from this setup either.

A 'professional' user (i.e., indie filmmaker, game developer, small freelance studio or artist, etc.,) will most likely want or need the more complex setup of multiple PS3 cameras.

G.

cresshead · **Posted:** Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:37 am

i agree on the 4 ps3 camera Vs 1 kinect for capability/results but for me the kinect is a good option as i don't have a spare double garage type space available here at home.

for me, the kinect option maybe good enough to block in some motions and get them over to 3dsmax/biped to data thin them and extract to footsteps.

i'm not looking for 100% full on motion capture that can track in 360 deg but mainly for 'acting' assist in blocking out either full body motions or upper body motion to then have additional layers tweeked ontop of the mocap over in 3dsmax.

if the ipi express only offered a similar capability to the upperbody exoskeleton mo cap i'd be totally satisfied.

if it's as capable as this Kinect demo vid then i'll be pretty pleased

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr8vgCnb ... r_embedded

Greenlaw · **Posted:** Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:56 pm

Hi Cresshead,

Good to see you here. That's pretty cool! Thanks for posting that link.

I'm more interested in seeing the Kinect develop as a realtime controller for an alternative form of animation. The videos that caught my interest were the two digital puppetry tests. These are quite different from traditional 'humanoid' mocap and, if Hello Frankenstein was any indicator, you know I really love working with puppets. (Must be the 'instant gratification' factor.) :)

Kinect Digital puppeteering with openkinect

Interactive Puppet Prototype with Xbox Kinect

G.

cresshead · **Posted:** Tue Dec 21, 2010 5:51 pm

2 more demo's of live capture

MikuMikuDance with OpenNI(Kinect) test 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQREhd9iT38

only working with arms so far but "WOW" that looks cool!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLK3E_vMGBU

i'd be totally stoked if the Express version could live record straight into 3dsmax's biped as i'm a 3dsmax/lightwaver.

regards live puppets do you mean this vid?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAGnSrdOfyA

dueyftw · **Joined:** Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:48 pm **Posts:** 82

Two Kinect cameras can work at the same time.

http://www.youtube.com/user/okreylos#p/u/3/5-w7UXCAUJE

This is the first video with very poor calibration. If the infrared light was cross talking, their would not be any image at all. The results would be a very bad scramble from depth sensors.

A system with two Kinect and 6 PS3 cameras could capture two people at the same time. The only problem is having at least two usb 3 cards and a 6 core processor to make the capture video.

Dale

Greenlaw · **Posted:** Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:20 am

cresshead wrote:

regards live puppets do you mean this vid?

Yes. (That's the video my first link goes to.) :)

I thought the 'hand puppet' interface was intriguing. The second video is another take on realtime mocap for digital puppeteering but instead of the 'hand puppet' approach this rig is more like a rod puppet.

We're planning on making a more sophisticated puppetry movie after the next two films because Hello Frankenstein was actually more fun and a lot easier to do than cg but with this stuff just around the corner, I'm excited about what might be down the road for us.

G.

Michael Nikonov · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:13 pm **Posts:** 805

Kinect version is in the works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCu8KTrC4sc

Greenlaw · **Posted:** Thu Dec 23, 2010 4:15 pm

Wowwww! Michael, that's amazing.

Aw, man, now I have to get a Kinect too??? :)

G.

xbox 360 Kinect?

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