University of Abertay Dundee researchers, led by computer games technology lecturer Matt Bett,reported the development of a virtual camera system (Motus) for home computer systems that can produce ultra-realistic 3D action on November, 10, 2010.
Inspired by James Cameron’s invention of a new way of filming called Simul-cam for the movie Avatar, the Abertay researchers have linked the power of a virtual camera — where a computer dramatically enhances what a film camera could achieve — using a motion-sensor. This allows completely intuitive, immediately responsive camera actions within any computer-generated world.
Bett said that, “Using a new Sixense electromagnetic motion controller, we can now manipulate a virtual camera in any virtual environment — be it a film, an animation, a computer game, or a simulation tool for teaching”
Project associate Erin Michno, an undergraduate Computer Games Technology student at Abertay University, added: “This tool could completely change the way people interact with computer games, and the way computer-aided learning is delivered to students around the world.”
“Within games, watching and sharing replays of the action is hugely popular. What our development allows is replays to be edited exactly as if they were a film, zooming in, panning the camera, quickly and easily creating a whole movie based on your gaming. For online games enthusiasts, that would dramatically change what’s possible.
“In the classroom and lecture theater, having this level of control for such a small price would allow some things which just aren’t possible — performing virtual operations live on screen, flying through the inside of an engine — in any school and any university
The Abertay researchers built their new system using the Sixense Truemotion Devkit – a more advanced version of motion controller technologies that will be manufactured by Razer. This tool uses electromagnetic sensors to capture the controller’s position to a precise single millimeter accuracy, and unlike other controllers still works even when an object is in the way. It will work on any home PC, and is expected to retail for under £100 ($162) from early 2011.
The system will be on display through the NEoN conference, a key part of this year’s digital arts festival at the University of Abertay Dundee. A patent for the system was applied for in the UK..
Paul Hamaker
source: http://www.examiner.com/science-news-in-birmingham/3d-home-movie-making-for-less-than-175