The Ohio State University's Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) has upgraded its motion capture system with new, high-end equipment that offers greater precision, better performance and flexibility than the previous system, as well as more opportunities for integration into realtime interactive systems. The new hardware and software, funded by the College of Arts and Sciences, will be used to capture data and create very realistic movement in computer animation and gaming systems, and in a wide range of research projects.

ACCAD will host an open house to introduce the campus and public to its new motion capture system on Friday, February 24, from 3 to 5 pm, at ACCAD, 1224 Kinnear Rd, on Ohio State's west campus. For more information, go to accad.osu.edu.

Explained Vita Berezina-Blackburn, animation specialist, "This new Vicon MX 40Ts system will let us greatly increase the quality and accuracy of the movement data we capture. It also will let us capture fine body movements - such as facial features - simultaneously with full body motion."

Motion capture is a system of recording fine and gross movement via a complex system of cameras and software that capture and analyze the movement data. Subjects are equipped with reflective "markers" or small balls attached to their bodies via special, stretchy suits so the cameras can record their movements.

"The diverse range of our collaborative research with motion capture of both human and non-human subjects is a testament to the significance of the language of movement," said Alan Price, associate professor and acting director of ACCAD. "We continue to discover new applications in medical and scientific fields, as well as in the visual and performing arts."

ACCAD has partnered with other Ohio State departments on research projects, including dance, computer science, engineering, psychology, design, art, theatre, architecture and the College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as with researchers outside the university. Research includes archiving movement, including that of past collaborators such as Marcel Marceau and Stelarc.

A growing Cultural Motion Database features dance and performance movement of Japanese Taiko drummers, Repertory Dance Theatre, and several Native American performers. Motion capture for animation has been part of the ongoing collaboration with the Bebe Miller Company, including a nationally toured, multimedia performance of Landing Place, which won a prestigious Bessie award from the New York Dance and Performance Awards Committee. A new direction of this ongoing collaboration involves motion analysis approaches to dance movement in choreography of duets as well as use of motion capture for visualization.

In the most recent collaboration with the College of Veterinary Medicine motion data of healthy Doberman Pinschers was captured, analyzed and compared to the gait data of dogs affected by Wobbler's disease.

The ACCAD community will use the upgraded technology in new research, collaborations and teaching ventures.