Motus Digital is an exhibitor at the 2010 Game Developer Conference in San Francisco, March 9th-13th.
GDC 2010 looks to be one of the best years in memory for the annual game conference. Motus is in attendance showcasing our latest 3D Animated Production, Ninja Toy 2 as well as our innovative, industry leading MOCAP Animation software, 3DoubleTake (pronounced "3D Double Take"). Be sure to stop by our booth, booth 1943, and talk with Motus Account Executives, Kyle Blietz and Webb Henderson.
(please see following links)
Picture of our GDC 2010 Booth
Ninja Toy 2
Microsoft Case Study of 3DoubleTake
Titled 3-D Motion-Capture Tools Help Animation Studio Stand Out from the Competition, Microsoft's Case Study Team interviews Motus' President, B. Keith Brock regarding 3DoubleTake.
Animation studio Motus Digital needed a tool that its clients could use to select the data they want from within motion-capture takes and see how those choices affect overall costs. 3DoubleTake, which was developed using the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition development system and the Microsoft XNA Framework, makes it possible for 3-D animators, art directors, creative directors, and producers to select only the performers and props they want, from the takes they want. By using Microsoft technology to build rich 3-D applications such as 3DoubleTake, Motus Digital is delivering unique capabilities that save clients considerable time and expense, thereby helping to set Motus Digital apart from the competition and improving its ability to win new business.
(please see full case study)
Be sure to read and learn more about the Case Study and 3DoubleTake in the Case Studies Showcase on Microsoft.com.
Ryan Laird, “the voice of Country future,” according to legendary DJ Blair Garner, sought Motus Digital to create his debut video, “Luv Me.”
The song acts, in part, as a response to Taylor Swift’s “Love Story.” Ryan and his team commissioned the video to include an animated fairytale narrative as the lyrics play upon those same themes. In the video, Motus Digital creates exactly that – a magical fantasy world populated by modern fairytale characters that manifest into Ryan’s real-world environment, intercut with the artist’s fun-loving performance.
Be sure to read and learn more about the song and the production process in the exclusive and dedicated section on Motus' site.
Due to popular demand, Ninja Toy is back and better than ever! Inspired by the famous line "Boards don't hit back" uttered by Bruce Lee from the movie Enter the Dragon, we decided to create a nemesis for our stalwart hero to contend with.
In other words, it is time to put those amazing Ninja moves to use! Multi-character interaction is just the beginning of the additions contained within Ninja Toy 2. A new environment in addition to new and remodeled characters give life to our toys like never before.
Be sure to read and learn more about the short and the production process in the exclusive and dedicated section on Motus' site.
Motus Digital is proud to host the Dallas Producers Assocation’s monthly mixer on September 1st, 2009. We will be teaming up with Iron Dragon Productions - a professional “Action Actor Training” team out of Austin - to demonstrate our real-time previz, motion capture, and virtual immersion capabilities.
Industry professionals are encouraged to come and mix and mingle. DPA mixers and networking events are great opportunities to learn more about other local area producers and support companies, network for production opportunities, and build relationships with key industry professionals.
Byron Harris of WFAA-TV Channel 8 Dallas / Fort Worth tours Motus and shoots a segment discussing Motus Digital. Originally shot in HD, Byron interviews Motus President and COO, B. Keith Brock discussing Motus, our hardware, software, and employees.
(please see full video segment)
Byron Harris of WFAA-TV Channel 8 Segment: Motus Digital, LLC
Motus Digital played host to the 5th Diverge Workshop, February 20th-22nd. Diverge is a grassroots, CG art workshop that brings together digital artists from 2D, 3D, and traditional backgrounds. Featured presenters included artist from Vigil Games, Retro Studios, Terminal Reality, Id Software and our very own Crispin Broadhurst.
The workshop had a record turn out with attendees traveling from Florida, Virginia, Colorado, Kansas and all across Texas. Tony Arechiga, Founder of Diverge said, “Thanks to Motus, this was the best Workshop we have ever had. The atmosphere was awesome and everyone had a great time.”
A special thanks goes out to Tony, Stephaney and all the presenters. It was an honor that Motus could be part of such an amazing event.
Patrice Leymarie of IT'S ART discusses Motus Digital, Animation, Custom Software, and Vision of the CG Market with Motus' President & COO, B. Keith Brock. Questions ranged from Motus' customers and market to our propriotary software 3DoubleTake™ and Persona™, ultimately concluding with Mr. Brock's vision of the evolution of the CG market.
(please see full article)
IT'S ART Studio Profile: Motus Digital, LLC
Motus Digital will host the next Diverge Workshop event (www.DivergeWorkshop.com) at their studio in Plano, TX, February 20-22. Besides playing host to a plethora of talented presenters, Motus' artists will be talking about and demonstrating their in-house tech, including Persona™.
Corey Pettit, Media/Public Relations Director, ScrewAttack.com and his crew interview Motus' Mocap Artists David Farmer and Tony Cross. Corey concludes the first interview by stating "There is no doubt that one of the early highlights of 2009 for us was hanging with the great folks at Motus Digital and their incredible motion capture studio."
(please see full interview)
Hanging with Motus Digital Part 2 of 3 (The Suits of Doom!) Interview with ScrewAttack.com
Corey Pettit, Media/Public Relations Director, ScrewAttack.com and his crew interview Motus' President & COO, B. Keith Brock and Motus' Technical Director, Crispin Broadhurst. Afterwards, Corey and the gang tour Motus' Studio and suit up to get a full immersive experience with Motus' Virtual Pre-Viz technology. Corey concludes the first interview with an insightful demo/overview of Motus' flagship software 3DoubleTake™.
(please see full interview)
Hanging with Motus Digital Part 1 of 3 (MOCAP is Crazy!) Interview with ScrewAttack.com
Motus Digital created a one and a half minute CG cinema for the signature opening of "BCFx - The Doug Williams Edition" by developer Nerjyzed Entertainment. Motus Digital's Vicon MX-F40 motion capture system was essential to the cinema project as well as capturing and delivering over 500 in-game motions of football players and marching band to Nerjyzed.
The initial mocap shoots involved six football players; most of whom were no strangers to video game mocap, including the talented receiver Kenny Bell (of Electronic Arts' Madden Football franchise fame). Three dancers and three band musicians with their various instruments rounded out the sessions. Everything possible was captured with the Vicon system, including a spinning ball and shaking/falling tackle dummies.
Starting with a rough boardomatic and a tight schedule, the entire piece was setup in Autodesk Motionbuilder using the Story and Camera Switcher. All 43 shots using 22 cameras were created and animated in a single scene file, using animation clips and temporary character models for the first phase. The temp characters were replaced with the finals, still using the original animation clips and complete scene file. This meant only minor tweaks before exporting final animations out to Maya. "Being able to animate/assemble all cameras and rough to final animations in one evolving scene file really streamlined the process," said Mocap Supervisor/TD Crispin Broadhurst, "and helped a lot with continuity during the creative phase."
Maya was used for all skinning and deformation rigging, including nCloth; modeling was done in several apps including Lightwave, Modo, Z Brush and Maya. FBX format was most useful in moving models between programs. The Beaver Project made it easy work of importing all cameras and animation into Lightwave for lighting/texturing and rendering. Particle FX for bugs and loose grass were also done in Lightwave.
Microsoft Architect Kirk Allen Evans sits down with B. Keith Brock and his employees at Motus Digital to discuss how Motus is utilizing 64bit computing to create Motion Capture for use in Movies and Games. Kirk got to see just how motion capture animations are created and learn about the technology behind motion capture. Something that the guys from Motus reiterated several times...Motus is successful because we utilize the 64 bit Windows platform, giving us the performance that we need for high-end graphics processing in real time.
The discussion is provided as a two-part video on Microsoft's Development Network, Channel9. Part 1 focuses on the cameras and software in the studio; Part 2 focuses on turning the motion capture data from the cameras into real-time images.
(please see full video interview on Microsoft's Development Network, Channel9)
How Movies and Games are Made With Motion Capture at Motus – Part 1
How Movies and Games are Made With Motion Capture at Motus – Part 2
(please see full video interview on Microsoft's Kirk Allen Evans' Blog)
How Movies and Games are Made With Motion Capture at Motus – Part 1 and 2
Dallas-based Animation Studio selected by Alchemy Creative, Inc. and CAT Studios for Children's 3D Educational TV Series
Plano, TX (April 16, 2008)—Alchemy Creative, Inc. (PINK SHEETS: ALMY), a nationally recognized corporation focusing on children's education through multimedia and inventive educational products announce the signing of an agreement that will allow for CAT Studios and Motus Digital to provide advanced motion capture, key-frame animation, and additional animation support for the upcoming Adventure of the Elements children's 3D educational television series. The television series is based on author and inventor Richard E. James, III of Alchemy Creative, LLC successful book series and trading card game of the same name.
With the new Studio and building completed, we celebrate the Grand Opening of our Corporate Headquarters in Plano, Texas. Featuring: Music by "DJ Jimi", the Hottest DJ in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Catering by "Culinary Art Catering" Featured Executive Chef "Yossi Ohayon". Chef Yossi has been a featured chef on local television shows such as Good Day Dallas and Insights.
Our Portal has launched! Be sure to register and login to experience customization of the portal and upcoming content.
Work is ongoing to finish out our new studio and building, more details as we progress!
Dallas-based Animation Studio Installs Advanced VICON Motion Capture System for Animation and Visual Effects Projects
Los Angeles, CA (August 7, 2007)—VICON, developer of Academy Award®-winning motion capture systems, announced the sale of a 24-camera F40 system to Motus Digital. Motus Digital will be using the VICON cameras to work on various internal animation projects—allowing Motus to become a one-stop shop for CG animation and visual effects.
Motus Digital purchased a VICON system to operate as a fully-functional motion capture service bureau and animation facility for a wide range of clientele in film, games, television and commercials. The facility also plans to develop internal animation projects in the future……
(please see full article)
Vicon Motion Systems
Post Magazine
Digital Content Producer
Digital Media Net