FAQ

General Questions

Q: What does "iPi DMC" means?

A: "iPi DMC" is the abbreviation of "iPi Desktop Motion Caption". It consists of:

• iPi Recorder - a tool for recording video from web cameras and depth sensors;
• iPi Studio - main software for processing pre-recorded video and exporting result animation.

Q: Is it really markerless, work with USB cameras and runs on regular equipment?

A: Exactly.

Q: How does it work?

A: It's just magic. This magic became possible due to tricky computer vision algorithms and GPU-accerated calculations.

Q: Why do you think this is the best motion capture in the market?

A: This solution is both very convenient and affordable:

• It is optical markerless, so you do not need special costumes with markers or sensors
• It woks with casual clothes
• It works with real-life cluttered backgrounds so you do not need dedicated studio for capture sessions
• It is portable. Real "motion capture in a backpack". You can set it up from scratch for 30-40 minutes, including calibration. Experss Edition set-up takes 10 minutes.

Q: Why is it so cheap? Maybe it is just low-end solution with poor tracking quality?

A: Not at all. Traditional motion capture systems use expensive hardware to operate, that's why they're so much more expensive than iPi. iPi DMC tracking quality is competitive with other mocaps in the market.

Q: If iPi DMC is so great as you say, why are people still using other mocaps?

A: Our main disadvantage is currently tracking speed. It is not enough for real-time tracking. And we do not have some additional features like props or multi-person tracking. But these are just temporary drawbacks. We're actively working on them, and our customers base is constantly growing.

Q: Why should I believe all that you say about your product?

A: You shouldn't. You can download 30-days free trial and check it yourself. You cannot do that with other mocap systems.

Q: What technical support options are available?

A: Currently we offer email-based technical support. Please write to ipi@ipisoft.com

Q: Does the price include hardware?

A: No. Price includes software only. Customers have to purchase cameras and other equipment separately.

Purchase FAQ

Q: How can I buy?

A: You can buy online: http://ipisoft.com/sales.php. Note that Express Edition is in beta status, thus you can't buy it now - use free trial instead or buy Basic edition.

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: Can I get 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 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.

Product Features

Q: What is the difference between Express Edition and other editions?

A: Express Edition:

• supports only 1 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
• you will also have bigger capture volume - 20 by 20 feet (approx. 7 by 7 meters)
• and you will be able to capture more complex motions, including rotations with multi-camera set-up

Q: What is the difference between Express 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 Graphics Card and vary from 5 to 0.25 frames per second.

Q: Does iPi DMC support facial mocap?

A: No.

Q: Can hands/fingers be tracked by iPi DMC?

A: No. Consumer cameras resolution is not enough for that.

Q: Hm. And what about head tracking?

A: Also no. But we plan to add head tracking in future versions.

Q: What output formats are supported by iPi DMC?

A: COLLADA, BVH, SMD. Also iPi DMC can export BVH optimized for 3d Max Biped, Poser, MotionBuilder and iClone.

Q: And what about FBX?

A: Current version doesn’t support this format. But you can use Autodesk's free FBX Converter to convert your data between FBX and COLLADA format.

Q: Can I retarget result animation to my own character?

A: Yes. iPi Studio has built-in motion transfer. For more info see Animation export and motion transfer.

Q: Can I use 2 or 3 Kinects with iPi DMC?

A: No. Current version supports only one Kinect sensor.

Installation & 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 is full-functional, you only can export 5 seconds of animation.

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: The system is requesting me to enter trial key. Where can I get it?

A: To obtain trial key please register to our user community forum: http://ipisoft.com/forum/ucp.php?mode=register. After registration please login to forum and take trial license key from forum’s “User Control Panel”.

Q: I haven't received activation e-mail after registration. What should I do?

A: If this happes:

1. Make sure that this e-mail is not in “Spam” folder of your mail client.
2. Check that you have entered correct e-mail address.
3. Try to resend activation email. To do it, go to login page and click “Resend activation e-mail” link.
4. If none of above actions help, please report the problem to ipi@ipisoft.com.

Q: How can I get 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, you can use 1 license key only for one computer, even if you do not plan to use the system on several computers simultaneously.

Q: Do I need to pay for new versions of software?

A: Purchasing the license, you get 1 year of free updates within the same major version (e.g. 1.x).

System Requirements

All editions

Q: Is there version for Mac?

A: To run this software on Mac you need to install Windows on it using Boot Camp or Parallels Desktop for Mac

Q: What hardware do I need to use the system?

A: Basically, 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)
• For 5 or 6 cameras set-up you may also need additianl USB controller

Details can be found here: Cameras and accessories

Express Edition

Q: What drivers for Kinect are used in iPi DMC?

A: We use open source libusb-win32 drivers and library to communicate with device via USB. Protocol implementation is our own.

Q: Is this drivers compatible with OpenNI?

A: No. iPiRecorder with Kinect support cannot co-exist with PrimeSense's OpenNI drivers and Brekel plugin. If you want to restore PrimeSense's OpenNI drivers and Brekel plugin, you will have to uninstall "iPi LibUSB-win32 Driver Registration for MS Kinect" (see "Uninstall Program" in your Control Panel).

Q: Do you plan to add support for OpenNI?

A: Yes. As soon as OpenNI drivers for Kinect will be stable and will include support of Kinect’s motor, we’ll add support for them to iPi Recorder.

Basic and Standard Editions

Q: Can I use cameras other than Sony PS Eye?

A: Yes. We support any USB camera. But Sony PS Eye cameras are currently most suitable for motion capture among consumer cameras available in the market. Sony PS Eye allows to obtain high-quality video at 60 fps that is critical for tracking quality.

Q: What if I use expensive professional high-resolution cameras?

A: This does not make much sense. 640 x 480 resolution is enough for tracking. You will not get any benefits if you use expensive cameras.