Motion Capture Software: MotionBuilder, Vicon, OptiTrack & More

Software used in motion capture processes supports recording, processing, and applying motion data to a digital model. Here are some of the most commonly used motion capture software packages:

Software Used in Motion Capture (Mocap) Work

Autodesk MotionBuilder

Use Case: Editing animation and 3D character movement.

Features:
Ability to process complex motion data.
Editing and optimizing movements.
Real-time performance capture and animation editing.

Industry: Game development and film production.

Download / purchase link: Autodesk Motion Builder

Vicon Shogun

Use Case: A leading software for optical-based motion capture systems.

Features:
Optimized for large productions.
Real-time processing and advanced marker tracking.
A flexible workflow and VR integration.

Industry: Film, sports analytics, and medicine.

Download / purchase link: Vicon Shogun

OptiTrack Motive

Use Case: Capturing body, facial, and object movement.

Features:
High precision with a multi-camera setup.
Recording different types of movement simultaneously.
Generating real-time 3D motion data.

Industry: Film, gaming, robotics, and virtual reality.

Download / purchase link: OptiTrack Motive

Rokoko Studio

Use Case: Wireless, suit-free motion capture systems.

Features:
Works with wearable devices such as the Rokoko Smartsuit.
User-friendly interface.
Fast setup and real-time animation support.

Industry: Small-scale productions and independent projects.

Download / purchase link: Rokoko Studio

Xsens MVN

Use Case: Inertial-based motion capture.

Features:
A markerless, portable system.
Can capture movement with high accuracy even in complex environments.
Real-time animation integration.

Industry: Sports, healthcare, film, and VR.

Download / purchase link: Xsens MVN Animate

iPi Soft Motion Capture

Use Case: Markerless motion capture using cameras.

Features:
Low cost and easy setup.
Easy editing and export of motion data.
Suitable for independent creators.

Industry: Independent animation projects.

Download / purchase link: iPi Soft Motion Capture

Blender (with Motion Capture Add-ons)

Use Case: 3D animation and modeling.

Features:
An open-source platform.
Supports motion capture data through third-party add-ons (e.g. MocapX).

Industry: Independent projects and animation.

Download link: Blender

Unreal Engine and Unity

Use Case: Real-time integration of motion capture data into games and VR/AR projects.
Features:
- Applying motion capture data to animations.
- Real-time scene rendering.
Industry: Game development and interactive media.

These software packages can be chosen based on a project’s needs and budget. More professional software tends to be preferred for optical systems, while portability and ease of use are prioritized for markerless systems.

Camera Count

Optical motion capture studios typically use between 8 and 32 infrared cameras for precise 3D tracking.

Frame Rate

Professional mocap systems run at 120-240 frames per second to capture fast movements without gaps.

Marker-Based Systems

Reflective markers placed on the body are tracked by cameras and converted into skeletal movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Optical systems track markers using cameras, while some systems use different types of sensors. Since each method produces different data, the software must also be specialized to process that specific data.

No. Motion capture is also used in sports performance analysis, studying movement disorders in medicine, and in robotics. The software offers different features depending on which industry it’s used in.