Virtual Character Animation Based on Affordable Motion Capture and Reconfigurable Tangible Interfaces.

Area of Science:

• Computer Graphics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Animation Technology

Background:

• Computer animation software presents a steep learning curve due to complex techniques and interaction methods for 3D geometry control.
• Existing interfaces often hinder animator's focus on creative motion and character posing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an accessible tool that streamlines computer animation production.
• To reduce the learning curve associated with 3D animation software.
• To enhance the interaction methods for posing characters and controlling animation pipelines.

Main Methods:

• Integration of articulated tangible user interfaces (TUIs) with motion capture retargeting.
• Utilizing an instrumented prop to record orientations and animator's 3D motion for character posing.
• Implementing a speech interface for high-level software functionalities and voice commands.
• Leveraging off-the-shelf hardware (Lego Mindstorms EV3, Microsoft Kinect) and open-source software (Blender).

Main Results:

• The proposed tool effectively simplifies character posing and animation control.
• The combined use of TUIs and speech interface allows seamless control over the animation pipeline.
• Experimental results demonstrate improved efficiency and user experience compared to traditional mouse and keyboard interfaces.
• The solution proves beneficial for both novice and experienced animators.

Conclusions:

• The developed tool significantly lowers the barrier to entry for digital animation.
• Tangible user interfaces and speech interaction offer a more intuitive and efficient animation production workflow.
• This approach provides a cost-effective and accessible solution for 3D animation, particularly for educational purposes.