Track the Body to Animate Characters Using One Camera

Most major animations use motion capture these days but it requires thousands of dollars for cameras and other equipment. That is because most motion capture is for 3D animation. But you can get amazing results using motion capture for 2D animation. I like the results more than 3D motion capture because it looks a lot like old-school cell animation in that there is a lot of stretch and squash, exaggerated movement and animation with a lot of character and life.

This video is about motion capture of a moving actor's body (rather that motion capture of face.) I hope the independent animator realizes that they can start motion capturing. I'm developing the technique of motion capture for 2D because I'm looking for ways to put more life into my animation. I think animation should be direct, intuitive, and have a feeling of spontaneity. Animation is about the quality of movement. With motion capture YOU can control many points of movement at once. If you follow this approach your animations will look amazing and get people's attention.

The fact that motion capture for 2D is not exact is more of an advantage than disadvantage, similar to how hand drawn is an advantage over photography.

Motion Track as Many Points At Once in After Effects

After Effects' motion tracker is a lot more powerful than many people give it credit for. You are not limited to tracking one point. Nor are you limited to the four point track for corner pin tracking. You can track as many points as you like. All at the same time. This is great for motion tracking of mocap.

The videos on this web site will give you the in's and out's of motion capture for the home animator. All the major studios are using motion capture but most independent animators never dream of using it in their creative work. There is affordable motion capture, and it only uses one camera. The difference is, this is motion capture for 2D animation.

Let me know what you think.