Unlock the Power of Motion Capture with Plask's AI Mocap

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is Plask?
• How to Use Plask
  • Registering and Accessing the Service
  • Exploring the Workspace
  • Using the Tools in Plask
  • Creating Animation with Internal Tools
  • Recording and Extracting Motion from Videos
  • Uploading and Retargeting Your Character
  • Editing and Exporting Animations
• Pros and Cons of Using Plask
• Conclusion

What is Plask?

Plask is an online tool designed for capturing and manipulating motion. This recently launched service utilizes artificial intelligence to extract motion from videos and apply it to 3D characters. Plask is currently in beta testing and is free to use. The extracted animation data can be exported in formats such as FBX and BVH, making it compatible with popular 3D software and gaming engines like Cinema 4D, Maya, Unity, and Unreal Engine.

How to Use Plask

Registering and Accessing the Service

To start using Plask, you need to register for an account. Once registered, access the service by clicking on the provided link. This will take you to the Plask website.

Exploring the Workspace

Inside the Plask workspace, you'll find the library on the left side, where you can add your own characters and videos. The library initially contains four ready-to-use characters: Mannequin, Robot, Zombie, and Knight. You can toggle the visibility of the skeleton or mesh by clicking on the eye icon.

Using the Tools in Plask

While the tools in Plask may not match those of professional 3D software, they are user-friendly and suitable for both regular users and character designers. You can create animations using the internal tools by enabling the skeleton and using the markers to animate the character. The timeline at the bottom allows you to manage the animation's frames and layers.

Creating Animation with Internal Tools

To create animations with the internal tools, place markers on the character's body parts and set keyframes using the timeline. This process involves adjusting the position, rotation, and Scale of the markers. Plask provides an intuitive interface for creating animations using its internal tools.

Recording and Extracting Motion from Videos

Plask allows you to Record videos using a connected camera. Before recording, make sure the person in the video stands out from the background to improve motion detection accuracy. You can also use a green screen for better results. Start recording by clicking the record button and perform the desired movements in front of the camera. When finished, click stop and extract the motion by clicking the blue button.

Uploading and Retargeting Your Character

You can upload your characters in FBX or GLB format to Plask. Once uploaded, you may need to wait for the processing to complete. If the autorigging process fails, you can perform retargeting manually by assigning the control points to the corresponding parts of the character. This ensures that the motion data aligns correctly with your character's skeleton.

Editing and Exporting Animations

After successfully retargeting the motion data to your character, you can preview the resulting animation. Adjust playback speed and apply smoothing filters if desired. To export the animated model, choose the desired format (such as FBX) and click the export button. You can then import the exported animation into your preferred 3D software for further use.

Pros and Cons of Using Plask

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Free to use during beta testing
• Limited but useful set of animation tools
• Ability to extract motion from videos and apply it to characters
• Export animations in popular formats

Cons:

• Lack of advanced features found in professional 3D software
• Limited customization options for retargeting motion
• Incomplete settings and filters in the beta version
• Reliance on external recording devices for motion capture

Conclusion

Plask provides an accessible solution for capturing and manipulating motion with its online service. While it may not offer the same level of features as professional 3D software, Plask is a valuable tool for regular users, designers, and animators. By extracting motion from videos and applying it to 3D characters, Plask opens up possibilities for creating unique animations. With the ability to import and export animations in popular formats, Plask offers compatibility with various 3D software and gaming engines.