Share this article

This article is translated in

Improve this guide

Mocap Software: 5 Best to Use in 2024

5 min. read

Updated onJanuary 8, 2024

updated onJanuary 8, 2024

Share this article

This article is translated in

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Key notes

Motion capture also known as motion tracking or mo-cap refers to the process of digitally recording natural movements in order to transfer them to character models later on.

You can use it to trace the movement of any element in your footage. Then, simply set other layers in your composition to follow your tracked object(s).

Hugely popular in the entertainment field and game development, motion tracking serves as the starting point for the stunning animations and breath-taking visual effects we all know and love.

Let’s make this simpler. RememberNeytiri from Avatar? Good.

Now, how exactly did she effortlessly jump from ridiculously high trees straight on to the back of a dragon? That’s the mo-cap magic in action. And that is exactly what motion capture tools do best.

Go through our top picks and choose thesoftwarethat can make your next project truly astonishing.

What is the best mition capture software?

What is the best mition capture software?

Adobe After Effects

If we’re talking about visual effects, there aren’t many software that can match Adobe After Effects’ powerful capacities.

While motion capture is not a standalone effect, it helps to create the most hyperrealistic ofanimations. After Effects tracks motion by matching previously selected image data from succeeding frames.

Thanks to the integrated 3Dcameratracker, you can also track camera motion or insert 3D objects in 2D footage effortlessly and these are just some of its remarkable tools, perfectly adapted to capture motion.

Let’s quickly go through itskey features:

Adobe After Effects

3DS Max by Autodesk

3DS Max is a 3D animation modeling and rendering software offering a rich and flexible motion capture toolset that truly brings characters to life.

Full artistic control and intuitive options blend into this motion capture software to help you work faster and meet deadlines.

Let’s quickly go through itskey features:

Autodesk 3DS Max

MotionBuilder by Autodesk

MotionBuilder is a 3D characteranimation softwarethat enables users to manipulate and refine data efficiently.

Both responsive and interactive, this tool has an optimized display and powerful features that allow you to capture motion, edit, and playback complex character animation.

Let’s quickly go through itskey features:

Audotdesk MotionBuilder

Corel VideoStudio

VideoStudio is an award-winningvideo editing softwarepowered by Corel.

Its motion tracking feature allows you to track different objects in your clips in order to impregnate movement to pictures, titles, and other elements. You can even use it to blur faces.

Handling this powerful capacity is amazingly straightforward, beauty lies in simplicity more often than not. All you have to do is drag your clip on the timeline and click on the Track Motion icon from the toolbar.

Then, you can make use of the trackers to pinpoint the position or area you want to track. You can even set a multi-point tracker to censor objects.

Of course, you can also remove the trackers, save the created paths, match an image or video with tracked motion and finally, add transitions to the matched object to create a softer, more gradual effect.

⇒Download Corel VideoStudio

The PowerDirector 365 is a professional video editing suite that delivers best-in-class editing tools wrapped in a streamlined interface that does not intimidate the average user.

The motion tracking feature is particularly intuitive and easy to work with allowing you to achieve spectacular results.

You can easily track both people and objects in your footages using motion trackers to obtain super-realistic effects that emulate natural movement to perfection.

⇒Download Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

While motion tracking in itself is not a visual effect, it is quintessential for the creation of visual effects.

By recording natural movement and playing it back on a digitally created model, motion capture software have proved indispensable for the gaming, animation, film-making, and overall entertainment industry.

If you’re aiming to really bring your characters to life and make themmove it, move it, have a go at one of the finest software for the job.

Let us know how what worked for you in the comments section below.

More about the topics:animation software

Vlad Turiceanu

Windows Editor

Passionate about technology,Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.

Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!

User forum

0 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Δ

Vlad Turiceanu

Windows Editor

Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.