Archive notice: This article was originally published on August 7, 2007. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Using a real 3D zoetrope, Mova and Gentle Giant Studios bring a series of 3D models of a face to life – in real time.
To do this, Mova uses the Contour Reality Capture System to record the live performance of actors by means of a camera array synchronized to strobe lighting. The lamps flash more than 90 times per second – beyond human percepetion. Using triangulation and frame-by-frame tracking of the 3D geometry, the face is created from more than 100000 polygons, accurate to fractions of a millimeter. Gentle Giant Studios then forms 30 individual models from the captured 3D surfaces by means of a 3D printer.
Contour is compatible with most common software animation and hardware systems, such as Maya, Motion Builder, 3d Studio Max, XSI, Face Robot and software from Vicon as well as the Vican MX family. The generated data can be exported as OBJ, C3D and Autodesk’s Point Cache 2 files. SMPTE Time-codes are used for synchronization.
Further links:
- Mova
