Hello,

Let me begin by saying this is some truly amazing software you've developed here, I'm having alot fun just learning how to use it.

I'd like to share a little about my environment and setup so far. I'll try to post some screenshots or videos later on if anyone is interested. The room is 30 x 15 feet all light color tones, I will use this as my primary learning, practice and studio space and then use others in the future for special needs.

Here are some notes and questions I have so far...

Notes:
- Even lighting seems more important then bright lighting, I had floods that are brighter but they drove the camera light compensation nuts!
- Color Difference between clothing parts and Uniformity of a parts color is important so software can differentiate body parts. In lower light conditions greater color difference seems to be alot of help. I current use Black Shoes, Lighter Blue Jeans, Burgundy Shirt, and Black Sleeves, also I shaved my beard as that seemed to confuse software as to were my head was compared to torso sometimes.
- Patience is key when starting out, results are rarely as great as the demo videos, calibration is difficult at times and takes practice to get very good at, try different configurations of camera setups and gauge overall performance and difference in setups, focus on learning what works and what breaks as opposed to trying to produce something you can take into your game or model software, everyday I see improvements in my results but still not what I know I can achieve in the long run.
- In a 6 camera circle a Maglite on a stick fastened at perpendicular angle can help with visibility for all cameras through movements defining the cage, point the light straight downwards at all times to better allow all cameras to see the light clearly and move from biggest blind spot in the cameras.
- Using Painters tape to define areas on floor and ceiling can make creating the cage easier and more exact.
- I utilize light/cheap drapery material to cover darker regions like my desk and doorway to aid tracking as the rest of the room/background is white or lighter tone.
- When active USB cables are not available a powered usb hub seems to be a decent substitute.
- My ceiling lights are very low (8-9 feet tops) and can often confuse tracking in calibration so I disable all lights in the target area and calibrate in low light conditions. I can not see myself in the Views, but I can see clearly in the room as I trace the Cage.
- Initial attempts with 6 cameras in an “Oblong Circle” format did not yield terrific results, but this might have been a result of in-experience in calibrating and setting up the actor as much as the camera positioning. I’m going to try a Half Circle to experiment and learn more then try again later. My space is not big/square enough for a proper full circle unfortunately. So far the half circle is producing good results in static and limited movement tracking.

Questions
- Is Equal Distance from all cameras important? It seems to help.
- What causes the Red Dotss, suggestions for avoiding these?
- Does a very exact cage help? Does the software calculate outside the cage?
- Is placing the cage as much in the center of all cameras important? Some cameras don’t utilize all their FOV given their position and height, in such cases should one avoid shooting wall in case of shadow, or should one always put the Cage as much to the center of FOV? Is there increased chance of error nearer to FOV extents?
- Does an Oblong Circle, where there is no “side” camera along the longer axis increase the chance of error in tracking perpendicular to that axis?
- What is the difference between Higher FPS and Better Quality, or no Compression? Do you potentially lose some FPS with lower quality compression, or is it a lowering of resolution/tracking within the given number of FPS? Which is more impacting to the software do you think if one has to make a trade-off?
- I'd like to try a long run tracking like in one of the videos... is 15 feet of width adequate for that though do you think?
- Is more cameras always better? Like in tighter scenarios having one low and one high on the same relative location is that good for tracking, or pointless/confusing to it?


I know its alot of questions! But don't worry there will be more! :)

Actually in time I hope I can be of some help too, I think I can put together some layouts and general feedback in time as I become more proficient.

I'm looking forward to using some background and hand held props in time to achieve very nice results for use in my project.

Thanks again for giving us all the opportunity to do our own motion capture work, its more fun then I've had in a long time, and I look forward to seeing each new advancement you make over time.

Dean Bouvier