FAQ
From iPiSoft Wiki
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General Questions
Q: How come Kinect games and OpenNI don't track motions nearly as good as this? Is this like a better software?
A: Yes. We use our own computer vision algorithms that give higher tracking accuracy.
Q: How does it work?
A: By means of tricky computer vision algorithms and GPU-accelerated calculations.
Q: What technical support options are available?
A: Currently we offer email-based technical support. You should receive tech support contact details with your purchase. Demo version users can get tech support via our User Forum.
Q: Does the price include hardware?
A: No. Price includes software only. Customers have to purchase cameras and other equipment separately.
Q: What does "iPi DMC" means?
A: "iPi DMC" is the abbreviation of "iPi Desktop Motion Capture". The system consists of two main components:
- iPiRecorder - a tool for recording video from web cameras and depth sensors;
- iPiStudio - software application for processing pre-recorded video and exporting resulting animation.
Purchase FAQ
Q: How can I buy?
A: You can buy online: http://ipisoft.com/sales.php.
Q: Do you have any discounts?
A: Yes, we always offer volume discounts, educational discounts and have special promotion campaigns from time to time. Information about discounts can be found at http://ipisoft.com/sales.php
Q: How can I get volume discount?
A: Just specify number of licenses in "Qty" field at the top of the on-line order form, and push "Update" button to make sure the price was changed.
Q: Who is eligible for educational discount?
A: If you're Qualified Student or Faculty Member from approved academic institution, or a Non-profit Organization, you're are eligible to purchase iPi Soft products under the terms of the Educational Licensing Program. Please look at http://ipisoft.com/sales.php for details.
Q: How can I get educational discount?
A: Please refer to http://ipisoft.com/sales.php for instruction how to apply.
Q: I'm a student now and I'm going to purchase iPi products with educational discount. Can I use the product for commercial project and / or after my graduation?
A: Yes, you can. We do not impose limitations on the use of educational license. The only thing we require is your eligibility to Educational Licensing Program at the time of purchase.
Q: I have promotion coupon code. How can I use it?
A: Please put the promotion code into "Your coupon code" field at the bottom of on-line order from, and push "Update" button to make sure the price was changed.
Q: I want to pay in a currency other than USD. But I found that the currency conversion rate is much higher than what I expected to have. Why is that?
A: We use Share-It international payments gateway to sell our software. If you want to pay in currency other than product price currency (USD) they add about 10% to the cost as their insurance from currency rates fluctuations. Proper way to avoid this overhead expense - please make order in USD (you can select order currency at the top of the order form). If you pay by card or PayPal, internal rates of payment system will be applied. They are usually very close to real exchange rates.
Product Features
Q: What is the difference between Express Edition and other editions?
A: Express Edition:
- supports only one Microsoft Kinect sensor;
- capture volume will be 7 by 7 feet (approx. 2 by 2 meters);
- you will not be able to track complex motions that include rotations because of self occlusion;
- but you will not need multi-camera system calibration, that makes Express Edition much easier in operation compared to other editions (that are multi-camera);
Basic and Standard Editions:
- support of 1 Kinect is included in Basic and Standard Editions as well
- support of 2 Kinects will allow you to capture more complex motions than with 1 Kinect, including rotations
- Sony PS Eye cameras-based set-up is the most powerful option: it will allow you to capture very complex motions in much bigger capture volume - 20 by 20 feet (approx. 7 by 7 meters)
Q: What is the difference between Basic Edition and Standard Edition?
A: The only difference is maximum number of cameras (4 for Basic, 6 for Standard). 6-cameras set-up will allow you to track wider range of complex motions (including rotations, like fighting, dancing etc.) with good quality (more robust, more accurate).
Q: Is tracking realtime?
A: Not yet. You should capture video first and process the video offline after that. Speed of processing depends on video card (this is a GPGPU application so a fast video card is recommended).
Q: Does iPi DMC support facial mocap?
A: No, not yet.
Q: Can hands/fingers be tracked by iPi DMC?
A: No, not yet. Resolution of consumer-class cameras is not enough for that.
Q: What about head tracking?
A: Head tracking is not implemented as of yet but it is being developed..
Q: What output formats are supported by iPi DMC?
A: iPiStudio can export animations in many popular formats. For a full list please see Animation export and motion transfer.
Q: Is FBX format supported?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I retarget captured animation to my own character?
A: Yes. iPi Studio has built-in motion transfer. For more info please see Animation export and motion transfer.
Q: Can I use two or three Kinects with iPi DMC?
A: You can use two Kinects with iPi DMC (supported in Basic and Standard editions). Three or more Kinects are not supported.
Q: Can I mix Kinect with other cameras in multi-camera set-up?
A: No, not yet. Current version supports only one Kinect sensor OR a non-Kinect multi-camera set-up.
Q: Can I use USB cameras of different models in multi-camera set-up?
A: Not recommended. For best results all cameras should be the same model.
Installation and Activation, Licensing policy
Q: Do you offer free trial?
A: Yes. 30-days free trial is available for download from http://www.ipisoft.com/downloads_index.php
Q: What are trial version limitations?
A: Trial has full functionality of the Basic Edition.
Q: How can I install the system?
A: Please download iPi Recorder, iPi Studio from http://www.ipisoft.com/downloads_index.php . Run the installer and follow installation instructions. iPi Recorder is used to capture video, iPi Studio is used for tracking.
Q: How can I get and activate the license key for trial?
A: Just run iPi Studio, and follow on-screen instructions.
Q: How can I purchase a full license key?
A: Please purchase the product on-line http://www.ipisoft.com/sales.php . You will get license key by e-mail.
Q: Can I install the system on several computers with one license key?
A: No. According to our licensing policy, one license key is strictly for use on a single computer.
Q: I'm a student now and I'm going to purchase iPi products with educational discount. Can I use the product for commercial project and / or after my graduation?
A: Yes, you can. We do not impose limitations on use of educational license. The only thing we require is your eligibility to Educational Licensing Program at the time of purchase.
Q: Can I give my license key to a friend or collegue?
A: Please do not do that. This is a violation of the licensing terms. Your license key can be banned if you abuse license terms.
Q: Do I need to pay for new versions of software?
A: Purchased license includes at least one year of free updates within the same major version (e.g. 1.x). Next major version is given for free to customers who made their purchase within 3 months before release. Others will be given 60% discount.
System Requirements and Hardware
All editions
Q: What hardware do I need to use the system?
A: You need:
- PC with DirectX10-compatible graphics card (supporting Shader Model 4.0)
- Cameras (type and number of cameras depend on edition you use)
- Cables to connect cameras to computer
- Tripods to position cameras (optional)
- Depending on type and number of cameras you may also need additional USB controller
Details can be found in our Wiki articles:
iPi Recorder: Single Kinect Sensor Configuration
iPi Recorder: Dual Kinect Sensor Configuration
iPi Recorder: Multiple PlayStation Eye Cameras Configuration
iPi Studio System Requirements
Q: What is the cost of hardware necessary to use the system?
A: Presuming you already have a PC with DirectX 10-compatible GPU (with Shader Model 4.0 support),
For Express Edition:
- You will need Kinect sensor, the cost is around $150
For Bacis Edition (4 cameras):
- Sony PS Eye camras + USB cables, the cost is around $180
- Tripods (optional), the cost is around $50 (4 items)
For Standard Edition (6 cameras):
- Sony PS Eye camras + USB cables, the cost is around $270
- USB controller, the cost is around $30
- Tripods (optional), the cost is around $80 (6 items)
- (optional) extra HDD for video recording (so that you do not record on your system drive), the cost may be around $50
Q: Is there a version for Mac?
A: To run this software on a Mac you need to install Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp or similar solution.
Kinect Support (All Editions)
Q: What drivers for Kinect are used in iPi DMC?
A: We use a lightweight solution based on the driver from PrimeSense (psdrv3.sys) to communicate with device via USB. Protocol implementation is our own.
Q: Is this driver compatible with OpenNI and Brekel plugin?
A: Yes. If you have already installed PrimeSense's OpenNI drivers for Kinect then there is no need to install drivers again thus you can deselect item “PrimeSensor Driver (psdrv3) Registration for MS Kinect Sensor” during iPi Recorder installation.
Q: Can I use OpenKinect drivers instead?
A: Yes, this is possible for compatibility but the performance will be sub-optimal. Install OpenKinect drivers and deselect item “PrimeSensor Driver (psdrv3) Registration for MS Kinect Sensor” during iPi Recorder installation. But note that OpenKinect driver is not stable and can cause a hang up of a slow computer.
Basic and Standard Editions
Q: Can I use cameras other than Sony PlayStation 3 Eye?
A: Not recommended (although technically possible). Sony PlayStation 3 Eye cameras have multiple advantages.
Q: What if I use expensive professional high-resolution cameras?
A: This does not make much sense. At 640 x 480 video resolution system accuracy is limited by frame rate and synchronization errors. You will not get any benefits if you use expensive high-resolution cameras.
How-to
Q: How do I change scene orientation? For example, what if I want my 3D character to stand in the coordinate system origin (0, 0, 0) and face Z-axis direction?
A: Click the "Recenter Coordinate System on Character" button on "Scene" tab, or check the "Recenter coordinate system on character in first frame" option on "Export" tab.
