#Motion Control Data
15 messages in this thread
I'm trying to write a script to read data from our motion control camera system
(Kuper) into 3DS to match camera moves. The X, Y, Z translations are no
problem,
I'm having trouble converting the rotation data. Kuper writes out rotational
data in
degrees around PAN,TILT, and ROLL axis and of course, 3DS uses a vector and
angle. I thought I understood this system, but it is not working.
Anybody have any insights?
Ian.
Ian,
>> I'm having trouble converting the rotation data. Kuper writes out
rotational data in degrees around PAN,TILT, and ROLL axis and of course, 3DS
uses a vector and angle <<
we're going through similar traumas right now – trying to get Wavefront camera
data into a .vue file and then I write a script to get keys. I've written the
script (the easy part) and a brainy programmer wrote a C program specially to
calculate a target position for the camera. I'll ask him if he'll let me upload
the source code or help you out in some way. It will be C. However, we still
haven't made sure it works yet.
Maybe someone else has a more definitive solution.
Hi Martin,
<< aybe someone else has a more definitive solution. >>
Vince does a good job in "3D Computer Animation" Addison Wesley ISBN
0-201-62756-6 on pgs 195-203 where he investigates roll/pitch/yaw, matrices,
quaternions and converting between the two. In addition, you can find great
info in "Quaternion Calculus and Fast Animation" by Ken Shoemake, in notes for
Siggraph 1987 Course #10, "Computer Animation: 3-D Motion Specific and
Control".
jonas[adesk]
Jonas,
>> roll/pitch/yaw, matrices, quaternions and converting between the two.
thanks for the info. I'll file that one. However, the senior programmer will
probably nail it today. I'm going to see if we can make the information
available.
Martin,
I'd be extremely interested in swapping information. It would be soooooo
exciting
to see a 3D character strolling around in moving live action scene (or vise
versa.)!
Ian.
Ian,
>> I'd be extremely interested in swapping information. <<
well, the programmer is still working on it, but we need a solution this week
or we're in trouble. We're close but not exactly there yet.
Martin,
>> We're close but not exactly there yet.
I'd be working on the problem also but I'm swamped with work and my poor
little code-writing cells won't work after 12+ hours of animating!
What kinf of motion-control software do you use?
Ian.
Ian,
>> I'd be working on the problem also but I'm swamped with work and my poor
little code-writing cells won't work after 12+ hours of animating! <<
we solved the problem between 3 of us. The senior programmer wrote a C program
and then I wrote a keyscript. The C routine converts Wavefront .mov files to
3ds .vue files and then the keyscript converts the .vue file to camera
keyframes.
The programmer has gone home now but I'll talk to him tomorrow about his
routine and see if he will possibly help in some way. We aren't using motion
control – we just had a camera move that was created in Wavefront's archaic
preview program. If you can create a .mov file or one in that format then
you're in business.
Martin
What kinf of motion-control software do you use?
Martin,
>>What kinf of motion-control software do you use?
Kuper. It can export position and rotation data as a ASCII format.
Ian
Ian,
well, we've cracked the problem. The programmer said he would write some
pseudo-code for you and I'll let you have the script I wrote. In fact, I'll
upload it. The pseudo-code should allow you or your favourite code warrior to
write something in your/his/hers favourite language.
you'll probably need to write an extra pass to put the data in Wavefront'
preview .mov file format, but that part is pretty easy.
Thats great Martin!
Thanks, I'll keep you up to date on the Kuper->3ds translation.
Ian.
Ian,
>> Thanks, I'll keep you up to date on the Kuper->3ds translation <<
Tomorrow, I'll upload at least the keyscript that I wrote to convert camera
.vue file to keyframes. It's rather useful. I'll also get onto the programmer
to do something helpful.
Ian,
I just uploaded (last night) my vue2key.k3d script. It's the part that converts
camera data in the .vue file to keyframes – the easy part <g>. I'm going to bug
the senior programmer for some sample code or pseudo-code for the more
complicated .mov to .vue process.
Continuation of last message #191640,
I just uploaded the pseudo-code for converting camera roll/tilt/pan cameras to
.vue file. The file: mov2vue.txt (I think) should appear in the libraries
shortly (maybe tomorrow). Have fun!
Martin
>>I just uploaded (last night) my vue2key.k3d script.
Great! I'll take a look.
Ian.