Welcome to the exciting world of 3D animation! Today, we're diving into the seamless integration of AI motion capture using Plask Motion and Blender. This guide is tailored for 3D artists of all skill levels, making the complex process of 3D animation as accessible as the user-friendly, web-based tool. Here's how you can transform a simple dance video into an engaging 3D animation with realistic fur details, all within 30 minutes!
YouTube video: Plask Motion: Fur Monster👻 Animation with AI Mocap in Blender
In this video, it's explained so you can follow along step by step.
To kick things off, select a dance video for your project. Plask Motion's user-friendly interface makes it easy to upload and extract animations from your video. There's no need for the subject in the video to start in a T-pose, making it convenient for using any dance clip. You can find a suitable free video from the source mentioned in the YouTube video description.
Plask Motion's AI effortlessly captures motion from your video. Watch the progress in the Asset panel and once complete, apply the extracted animation to your scene model. After ensuring the animation looks good, export the scene model. Plask Motion supports various formats, including fbx, which we'll use for Blender compatibility.
Transition to Blender, where your creativity can further unfold. Start by setting up your stage with a Plane and import the animation you exported from Plask Motion. Adjust the model's position to align with the animation for a seamless experience.
In Blender, stage design and lighting are your canvases for creativity. Customize the stage and use a blend of blue and purple lights to create an immersive environment. Align the camera and lights to focus on the model, enhancing the visual appeal of your animation.
The highlight of this tutorial is adding fur to your 3D model in Blender. Navigate to the Particle settings, select Hair, and adjust the length to create the desired fur effect. Experiment with Hair Dynamics and other settings like Air Drag to give the fur a natural flow. Remember, there's no right or wrong here – it's all about exploring and having fun with the design.
With the fur details in place, it's time to store the movement in the cache and finalize the fur material. You might want to tweak the camera angles to capture the perfect scene. Once you're satisfied, render your animation. This process brings your 3D creation to life, ready to impress any audience.