Something I would like to see

[gammagoblin]

Hi

I came across the optitrack while visiting your site in relation to the TrackIR, which I want to look at for use in 3d Studio Max to animate a 'pilots' view from the cockpit while roughing out flight sequences.I first came arcoss the TrackIR while looking for mouse alternatives after getting RSI, but found using my stylus full time instead pretty much fixed my problems.

The OptiTrack looks like a very exciting development, Im eager to give one of these things a try once you have a max plugin available.

Like others, Im interested in both facial and full body motion capture, but Im also keen on your 'Desktop MoCap' initiative as an affordable means of interacting with 3d apps with full 6DOF control.

Ive read through the general forum here, and I noticed that a rep said your first priority(in terms of 3d apps) is a plugin for max, which makes me very happy

What I would like to be able to do is use my hand/s to 'grab' and manipulate objects and sub-objects in 3d space.

WHat Im thinking of is that the tracking matrix for the Optitrack will relate to the 'screen' co-ordinate system in max, so that, for example, selecting an object and moving or rotating my hand within the matrix will translate the object accordingly in screen space.

A practical example: say I have a landscape, and I want to move the position of a tree.I want to be able to just 'reach in' with my hand, grab the tree, and then move it to its new position, adjusting its rotation if needed, just like moving a chess piece.

In the same manner, I would like to be able to pan, zoom, and rotate the viewport, by grabbing and then dragging and rotating my hand in the air.

Basically I want my input to mimic real life modelling as much as possible, coming from a non-computer background in art and building, a more intuitive affordable interface would be awesome.I look forward to the day of being able to mould geometry like it is clay - or examine an object as if I was holding it in my hands

I know I havent really explanied what I want in great detail, but if it sounds like something you are interested in developing I would be happy to document any interactivity issues or usefull features I can come up with from a user point of view.I could also put together some visual aids to help explain my suggestion if it is not clear enough.

Looking forward to news of updates

[ July 10, 2005, 05:33 PM: Message edited by: gammagoblin ]