SkullTroniX (tm) Support

Phoenix · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 248 Location: Chester, UK

Optical motion capture has for long been the mainstay of big budget Hollywood CGI films and computer games, and was used almost exclusively in situations where the animators wanted fluid, realistic looking movements.

Typically such 'MoCap' systems have involved the need for complex multi camera set-ups which needs fine calibration and the performer to wear what looks like a gimp suit covered with pom poms... oh and a LOT of time, money and a Doctorate in computing.

Fortunately this technology is now becoming more accessible and SkullTroniX has managed to achieve what we believe is a worlds first, an affordable optical motion capture system for the controlling of animatronic props.

The cameras we use are high quality specialist motion capture cameras with on board image processors capable of processing over 100 frames od data per second at a range up to 20 feet, they Have rugged aluminum cases and will fit any regular camera tripod with a 1/4"-20 thread, and incorporate their own infra red light source.

At the 'other end' of the system we have SkullTroniX revolutionary BoC DMX servo control board capable of handling 16 servos and RGB LED lights.

Controlling the whole system we have written a specialized computer package that enables you to easily customize the system to control any animatronic prop, monitor the system during performance and output your recorded performance for replaying in VSA.

Throughout the development of Magic Motion we have striven to KEEP IT SIMPLE, we wanted a system where you can literally plug it in and instantly control your animatronic props without the need to calibrate the cameras or build any special studios or lighting equipment, and most importantly we wanted a system where its use is robust and simple enough to be accessible by anyone without a degree in computing.
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Bryan Davis
Phoenix Animatronix

Phoenix · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 248 Location: Chester, UK

The magic motion system has been optimised to work with a SkullTroniX BoC DMX servo control board and you would need to upgrade you props accordingly.

The main advantage of upgrading to a BoC is becasue Magic Motion and the BoC have been specifically developed for each other, and whilst the early rev SkullTroniX skulls were very effective with the original Parallax servo controller, there were a number of features (power control/eyes etc) that were awkward to use in a live/real time setting.

For props with a Parallax servo control board this conversion should be fairly easy, in order to make sure the BoC fitted inside a SkullTroniX skull the BoC has been made to the same shape/size as a Parallax servo control board and should be an Easy replacement.

As well as a BoC you will need an Enttec Open USB DMX widget, this device converts the computer generated commands into industry standard commands.

There are many advantages of DMX, its probably one of the fastest serial protocols in common use, but most signifigantly it has a maximum cable length of 1000', whilst USB is limited to 15' and serial cables have a maximum length of 75'

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Bryan Davis
Phoenix Animatronix