3-D motion capture space

[Dale Cannavan]

Hi Everyone,

We're moving into a new building and are planning for a 3-D motion capture system (8-12 camera system) for our exercise science program. I know this question depends on what data will be collected but what size parameters would be ideal for the motion capture set-up? I'm particularly interested in the height requirements of the room? It's likely that we would be recording gait, jumping, golf swing, cycling, nothing unusual.

Any information is appreciated as this is a new tool for me.

Thanks in advance,
Dale Cannavan
Seattle Pacific University

[Hunter Storaci]

Re: 3-D motion capture space

Hi Everyone,

We're moving into a new building and are planning for a 3-D motion capture system (8-12 camera system) for our exercise science program. I know this question depends on what data will be collected but what size parameters would be ideal for the motion capture set-up? I'm particularly interested in the height requirements of the room? It's likely that we would be recording gait, jumping, golf swing, cycling, nothing unusual.

Any information is appreciated as this is a new tool for me.

Thanks in advance,
Dale Cannavan
Seattle Pacific University

Dale,

You're right that the space is largely dependent upon the activities that you wish to record. In my experience the height of the room has been far less of a limiting factor when compared to the length and width. For the activities listed I would think that 10-12' ceilings would be more than sufficient to capture the motions, and allow for some flexibility in camera placement. Some other things you want to consider about the room size: Most motion capture systems require a buffer space in front of each camera in order to achieve optimal data capture (i.e. you won't want any motions occurring within 4-5 feet of a camera), you also will want at least 3 cameras to be seeing any individual markers at all times for optimal tracking so that usually requires even more space. Our current set-up is a 30x30 foot space, and I have found that it is sufficient for basic studies on gait, or treadmills, or cycling, but whenever we want to do anything more acrobatic or that requires more motion we generally pack up the system and move it to a larger location on campus.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

-Hunter Storaci
Research Assistant
Texas A&M University

[Dale Cannavan]

Re: 3-D motion capture space

Thanks Hunter, this is good info.

Cheers,
Dale

[Allan Carman]

Re: 3-D motion capture space

Dale,

A few things that I have found useful:

Having walls to adjacent rooms that open up (other labs or even teaching areas) even if partially. It allows a lot more scope in what can be tested including running activities.
Having a small room adjacent the MoCap room, it can be used as a participant preparation room. You do not have to hide/cover you spare markers, other reflective gear or clothing or shoes. It also allows participants to be prepped while MoCap can still be carried out in the main lab.
Having toilet and change rooms close to the lab.
Avoid rooms with windows that get direct sunlight. One lab I was in had small sky-lights in the ceiling to let in natural light, but in summer and at the same time every afternoon the sun would shine directly through them. This can play havoc with data collection as the sum moves across the window.

Cheers
Allan

[Edmund Cramp]

Re: 3-D motion capture space

You will need some extra height if you are recording golf swings - the subject has to be able to swing the club and not worry about hitting anything in the ceiling - while 12 feet may be enough to allow the full range of club motion, the subject may still be worried about it and change the motion to accommodate the perceived limits of the ceiling. In addition, if they are striking a golf ball, you will need some space for the ball to move - if the golfer is worried that the ball might be coming back at them after striking another surface this can affect the swing.

[Manvendra Singh]

Re: 3-D motion capture space

Need for extra space for ball to move could be avoided by using nets.

[Dan India]

Re: 3-D motion capture space

Hello Dale

Qualisys recently assisted a small, liberal arts and sciences university with 860 total students in the school in the design, layout programming and now equipping of a sports performance lab to be offered to the student population and also to attract the community. Their activities are Golf, Running, Cycling and general human performance. I can share such thoughts and plans with you.

Send to me an email and I'll follow up with you.

Dan India

PS We also did the same for the Nebraksa Athletic Performance Lab in Lincoln, NE hence the size of the school is not the focus, its the goal achievement and scalability of our technology.

[Ryan Chang]

Re: 3-D motion capture space

I agree with Hunter that 30' x 30' room is sufficient for stationary movements - but it is quite small. For example, it's crammed if you have your cameras on tripods with a centrally located treadmill. If you can afford to go up, I would go to 40' x 40' especially if you are mounting with tripods. Tripods themselves need ~3 foot diameter each (which increases the diameter by ~6 feet assuming circular setup). While wall mounted cameras are great, if you are doing all kinds of sports, you'll need the flexibility of tripods once in a while.

For running in a straight line, I would extend one dimension to at least 80 feet (40' x 80').
For shooting a basketball (a common biomechanics lab example), I suggest a ceiling height of 20' with a room at least 40' x 60' room.
If you are not shooting/throwing any balls, 15' height should be enough.

[Edmund Cramp]

Re: 3-D motion capture space

Definitely for sports, the more space the better - I installed a motion capture system many years ago in Australia and took a few pictures of the lab which are available here. These might give you an idea of what you can do when money is not an issue, the lab had doors at both ends with the main doors designed to accommodate subjects pole-vaulting into the lab measurement space.

[Rita M. Patterson]

Re: 3-D motion capture space

Hi Everyone,

We're moving into a new building and are planning for a 3-D motion capture system (8-12 camera system) for our exercise science program. I know this question depends on what data will be collected but what size parameters would be ideal for the motion capture set-up? I'm particularly interested in the height requirements of the room? It's likely that we would be recording gait, jumping, golf swing, cycling, nothing unusual.

Any information is appreciated as this is a new tool for me.

Thanks in advance,
Dale Cannavan
Seattle Pacific University

Dale:
Take a look at the Biomech-L archives there is a nice summary there.
Rita Patterson

[Wadim Korneew]

Re: 3-D motion capture space

Thanks all - this is good info.