can i use already existed video from my short movie and then use ipi to get a mocap file from it? Pls if yes, how what steps can i take to do that. I'm new into ipi soft markerless mocap software. Thank you.

What kind of video is this? If just single camera color video - then no.
To do motion capture, the action should be shot with at least 3 color cameras. And their relative positions should be known (for this purpose a special calibration video is recorded before an action).

its just a short comedy movie. The type of comedy you watch on tv. If u dnt understand, let me put it dis way, can i use an already existed video from a hollywood movie like terminator or any other hollywood movie, and then use ipi to get mocap file from it?

For color video, the software needs to see the entire body from at least three different angles, plus you need calibration data.

Short answer: No.

Well, unless you shot the entire movie wide angle from at least three different angles. :)

Alternatively, you can use existing video for 'rotocapture'. This is simply a matter of outputting the video to jpeg frames and using it as a background image in the 3D animation program of your choice, and then match moving your rig over the video. At work, many years ago, we used to do this for film and commercial work before high-quality motion capture became available to us. The technique works remarkably well and it works with any 3D animation program. Obviously, the process is not automatic (at least not 'automated' in the sense of iPi DMC) but it's a very fast way to generate realistic keyframed motions.

G.

_________________
Greenlaw
Artist/Partner - Little Green Dog | My Demo Reels (2013,) (2015,) (2017,) and (2019)

Watch a one minute excerpt on Vimeo now!

thank you for your reply. I appreciate. I'm satisfied. Also please what type of video camera is recommended for use with ipi soft? Can i use colored camcoder digital video recorders to record the motions? That means for this, i dont hav options than to spend money and buy three video camera.

You do not need pricy camcorders for iPi Motion Capture. Any way, they would not fit.
All you need are 3 USB web cams (better 4, great - 6). We recommend specific model: Sony Playstation Eye. You can find it at Amazon for only $20 per item:
http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-Eye-3/dp/B000VTQ3LU/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1345547959&sr=1-1&keywords=playstation+eye

in other to extract motion capture from a video you previously replied that, Well, unless i shot the entire movie wide
angle from at least three different angles.
but pls does that mean that 3d video like stereo video which is 3d can then be converted to mocap data using ipi soft? It will be great if dats wat u mean. Of coz, i can use some software to convert 2d video to 3d video, which are like similar to native stereo video. So can i use such video on ipi soft and convert to mocap data?

What I was describing is the typical video shot with PS3 Eye cameras--wide (full body) and from multiple vantage points, typically four to six cameras. I was joking when I said 'unless you shot your movie this way' because nobody would actually shoot a dramatic movie this way. Sorry for the confusion.

Stereo video is meaningless to iPi DMC--the software only reads depth data from Kinect or video from multiple 2D web/USB cameras like the PS3 Eye. And even if iPi could read stereo video, the footage would have to be shot with mocap tracking in mind, exactly like data typically shot with Kinect or PS3 Eye.

Video from a that was shot and edited as drama is not appropriate for mocap tracking with iPi DMC. In some cases, such footage might be suitable for hand-tracking a rig (matchmoving) in a 3D animation program but that's a whole other methodology that has nothing to do with iPi DMC.

Hope this helps.

G.

_________________
Greenlaw
Artist/Partner - Little Green Dog | My Demo Reels (2013,) (2015,) (2017,) and (2019)

Watch a one minute excerpt on Vimeo now!