NEW!  Version 3 of iPi Motion Capture is available. iPi Motion Capture 3 delivers new features for improved workflow including support of Kinect 2, improved arms tracking, simplified calibration and others. Read more >>

This documentation corresponds to version 2 of iPi Motion Capture. The latest documentation for version 3 can be found at https://docs.ipisoft.com/

User Guide for Multiple PlayStation Eye Cameras Configuration

From iPiSoft Wiki
Revision as of 12:30, 13 December 2011 by Pavel (Talk)
Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

System Requirements

iPi Recorder

  • Computer (desktop or laptop):
    • CPU: x86 compatible (Intel Pentium 4 or higher, AMD Athlon or higher), dual- or quad- core is preferable
    • Operating system: Windows 8, 7, XP SP3, Vista (x86 or x64)
    • USB: at least two USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 controllers
      For more info see USB controllers
    • ExpressCard slot (for laptops)
      Optional, but highly recommended. It allows to install external USB controller in case of compatibility issues between cameras and built-in USB controllers, or if all USB ports are in fact connected to a single USB controller
    • Storage system: HDD or SSD or RAID with write speed:
      • For 4 cameras at 60 fps, 640 x 480 resolution: not less than 70,4 MByte/sec
      • For 6 cameras at 60 fps, 640 x 480 resolution: not less than 105,6 MByte/sec
Note If your write speed is lower, you can work with 320 x 240 resolution and/or lower frame rate. Alternatively, you can use compressed mode (that gives 3-5 times lower required write speed, but the CPU performance may become a bottleneck)

iPi Studio

  • Computer (desktop or laptop):
    • CPU: x86 compatible (Intel Pentium 4 or higher, AMD Athlon or higher), dual- or quad- core is preferable
    • Operating system: Windows 8, 7, XP SP3, Vista (x86 or x64)
    • Video card: Direct3D 10-capable (Shader Model 4.0) gaming-class graphics card
GPUz example.gif

Software Installation

iPi Recorder

Before installation:

  • unplug all cameras from computer


Download and run the setup package of the latest version of iPi Recorder. You will be presented with the following dialog.

IPi Recorder 2.0 Setup.png

  1. Select needed components
  2. Read and accept the license agreement by checking appropriate checkbox
  3. Press the Install button to begin installation
Note. Most of the components require administrative privileges because they install device drivers or write to Program Files and other system folders. On Windows Vista/7 you will be presented with UAC prompts when appropriate during installation. If you plan to use iPi Recorder under user which has no administrative rights, you can pre-install other components separately using administrator's account.
Important!
  1. You can plug only one MS Kinect / ASUS Xtion / PrimeSense Carmine sensor to one USB controller. 1 USB controller bandwidth is not enough to record from 2 sensors.
  2. You can plug not more than 2 Sony PS Eye cameras to one USB controller, otherwise you will not be able to capture at 60 fps with 640 x 480 resolution.
For more info see USB controllers.


Upon installation is complete, iPi Recorder will launch automatically. Continue with user's guide to get a knowledge of using the software.

Components

If some of the components is already installed, it has no checkbox and is marked with ALREADY INSTALLED label. You should not install all optional components in advance, without necessity. All of them can be installed separately at later time. Components descriptions below contain corresponding download links.

  • iPi Recorder 2.x.x.x. This is required component and cannot be unchecked.
    iPi Recorder itself.

Important! You can plug not more than 2 cameras to one USB controller, otherwise you will not be able to capture at 60 fps with 640 x 480 resolution. For more info see USB controllers

iPi Studio

Note that if you have used iPi Studio before and have Internet connection on your computer then you only need to let iPi Studio to automatically update:
IPiStudio-auto-update.png


iPi Studio is a core software of iPi Desktop Motion Capture (iPi DMC) solution. It’s used to process pre-recorded video and export resulted animation into most popular formats. You can use 30 days free trial. To install iPi Studio please download and run setup program: http://ipisoft.com/downloads/iPiStudioSetup.exe. Then, follow instructions of the installation wizard.

As a result of installation, iPi Studio will be executed. You will be prompted to enter your license key or start 30-days free trial period:
Welcome to ipistudio dlg.png


For more info about license protection see License.

== Recording Video with Multiple PlayStation Eye Cameras

Environment

Space

For a multi-camera configuration, you need a minimum of 13 feet by 13 feet space (4 meters by 4 meters). At smaller space, actor simply won’t fit into view of cameras.

For 640 by 480 camera resolution, capture area can be as big as 20 feet by 20 feet (7 meters by 7 meters). That should be enough for capturing motions like running, dancing etc.

Background

Light-color background (light walls and light floor) is recommended for markerless motion capture. iPi Desktop Motion Capture is designed to work with real-life backgrounds. A multi-camera configuration (3 cameras and up) can handle certain amount of background clutter. Please keep in mind that the system can be confused if your background has large objects of the same color as actor clothes.

Environment and clothing.jpg

Using a green or a blue backdrop may improve results, but you are not required to use a backdrop if you have reasonable office or home environment with light-color walls and bright lighting.

Lighting

For best results, your environment should have multiple light sources for uniform, ambient lighting. Typical office lighting with multiple light sources located on ceiling should be quite suitable for markeless motion capture. In a home environment, you may need to use additional light sources to achieve more uniform lighting.

Please note that the system cannot work in direct sunlight. If you plan a motion capture session outdoors you should choose a cloudy, overcast day.

Actor Clothing

Actor should be dressed in solid-color long-sleeve shirt, solid-color trousers (or jeans) and solid-color shoes. Deep, saturated colors are preferable. Casual clothes like jeans should be OK for use with markerless mocap system. iPi Desktop Motion Capture uses clothing color for separating actor from background and therefore cannot work with totally arbitrary clothing.

Recommended shirt (torso) colors are black, blue or green. Red is not recommended because red can blend with human skin color making it difficult for the system to see hands placed over torso. Black color is useful for reducing self-shadows on torso. If you have bright uniform lighting you can get better results with a primary-color (blue or green) shirt.

Recommended jeans/trousers color is blue.

Recommended shoe color is black.

iPi Desktop Motion Capture has an option of using T-shirt over long-sleeve shirt for actor clothing. However, simple long-sleeve shirt may result in more accurate motion capture.

Special considerations

Don’t stand too close to a wall. Shadows on the wall may confuse the system. If standing close to a wall is unavoidable you should use additional light sources to light the wall behind actor to minimize shadows.

System can have problems tracking push-ups and similar motions because of shadows on the floor. You can improve tracking of such motions by using additional light sources to light the floor.

Retrieved from "https://wiki.ipisoft.com/index.php?title=User_Guide_for_Multiple_PlayStation_Eye_Cameras_Configuration&oldid=521"
Personal tools