Insight VCS Pro by OptiTrack, the first virtual camera with integrated tracking

OptiTrack has developed the Insight VCS virtual camera with full interoperability with any existing motion capture optics system.

The new Insight VCS Pro virtual camera system with optical tracking from OptiTrack Enables live-action camera work for CG cinema at a competitive price and compatible with all optical motion capture systems.

Video game filmmakers and filmmakers increasingly use real-time virtual production technologies to mix real-world tools with their virtual world.

Thinking about these environments, OptiTrack has developed this virtual camera. To ensure full compatibility with a variety of production lines, VCS Insight has been designed for interoperability with any existing optical motion capture system, including Motion Analysis, OptiTrack, Vicon as it can perform marker-based tracking of rigid bodies and stream data from Autodesk MotionBuilder or Autodesk Maya.

It is a tool that puts film directors and cinematographers in a virtual world that they understand more closely. The value of being able to go out into a space and explore a virtual world by physically controlling a camera, finding the perfect angles and then taking multiple shots that are needed is truly remarkable. All of this is accomplished in a fraction of the time it takes to frame a single camera shot, and the results are more natural. The VCS Insight has proven invaluable in various film and commercial projects.

A two-part system

The VCS Insight is a two-part system, consisting of a camera hardware platform and interface software. Using the hardware platform, the entire motion capture volume is tracked, the absolute 6 degrees of freedom position and orientation data will be transmitted in real time via the plug-in to either Motion or Maya to drive the virtual camera within the 3D application.

In real time the reference video is sent from MotionBuilder and Maya to the VCS screen, creating a low latency circuit with visual feedback, similar to the viewfinder of a real digital camera.

Different versions of both the hardware and plug-in software platform are available to suit a variety of existing installations and production requirements. Components include: VCS: Pro, designed for professional production work and replicates the organic photography experience with exceptional fidelity. The professional model includes a 1280x768 HD LCD screen with real-time information, assignable buttons and joysticks for wide camera control, and a rugged Redrock Micro shoulder kit; and Plug-in Software. Available for MotionBuilder and Maya, script control, button mapping, scaling and camera properties. Universal versions of each plug-in are also available for use with non-OptiTrack motion capture systems.

Ingevideo distributes for Spain and Portugal

This virtual camera system with optical tracking is distributed in Spain and Portugal by Ingevideo.

Miguel Motos, director of the Virtual Reality and Simulation Area at Ingevideo, assures that "our goal has always been to offer complete motion capture systems at a price that production companies of all sizes can afford. With the VCS Insight, we are expanding this vision to include the virtual camera technology that Cameron made famous with Avatar, as usual, at an exceptionally low price. “OptiTrack now offers solutions with high performance in body, face and virtual camera capture for MOCAP.”