Autodesk MotionBuilder vs CapturyLive
Autodesk MotionBuilder
autodesk.comCapturyLive
captury.comSide by side
| Figure | Autodesk MotionBuilder | CapturyLive |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · Motion Capture Software | 9.2 (#3) | 7.9 (#18) |
| Spec score · Game Motion Capture Software | 9.2 (#2) | 7.9 (#13) |
| Spec score · 3D Character Animation Software | 9.1 (#3) | 7.7 (#20) |
| Integrations | MotionBuilder is designed to complement Maya and 3ds Max and exchanges data through Autodesk FBX with applications that support FBX. | Listed streaming destinations and protocols include Unreal Engine, Unity, MotionBuilder, BoB, OSC, VRPN, ROS, and OSVR. |
| Intended users | Autodesk says professional animation and game studios use MotionBuilder to produce high-quality animations. | The maker lists game development, VFX and film, virtual reality, location-based entertainment, in-game player tracking, and life sciences among Captury’s application areas. |
| Support | Autodesk lists 24x7 online support options and resources. | The official site lists support phone number 888-327-4435 and offers customized online demos with live consulting. |
| Trial | Autodesk offers a free 30-day MotionBuilder trial. | Captury says trial versions of CapturyLive and CapturyStudio are available by contacting the company; it does not state a trial duration on the page. |
Plans
Autodesk MotionBuilder
- Annual subscriptionPriced on request
- Annual subscriptionPrice not published
- 3-year subscriptionPriced on request
- 3-year subscriptionPrice not published
- MotionBuilder free trialFree
- MotionBuilder 2025$2,145 a year
- Media & Entertainment Collection$2,790 a year
- MotionBuilder subscriptionPrice not published
In their own words
Autodesk MotionBuilder
Autodesk MotionBuilder is 3D character animation software for capturing, editing, and playing back complex animations. Its real-time character engine automatically creates movements for biped or human skeletons, while manipulation tools let users alter a character’s position and orientation. The listed capabilities include motion capture, motion retargeting, facial animation, animation retargeting, and character retargeting. Autodesk says professional animation and game studios use MotionBuilder to produce animations. It is designed to complement Maya and 3ds Max and exchanges data through Autodesk FBX with applications that support FBX. MotionBuilder is available for Linux and Windows. The stated minimum hardware includes a 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor, 8 GB RAM, 4 GB of free disk space, and a three-button mouse. Autodesk offers a free 30-day trial, but no free plan. A subscription covers installation on up to three devices for one named user, with use limited to one computer at a time, and includes the current version plus three previous versions.
CapturyLive
CapturyLive is a turnkey hardware-and-software system that converts camera video into real-time 3D motion data for multiple actors. It tracks full-body movement; finger tracking is an add-on, while face tracking is offered as an add-on or standalone solution. Camera installations scale from four to 12 or more cameras according to performer numbers and space. The system records motion and video, then exports FBX, BVH, C3D, or CSV files. Charting tools cover 3D kinematics such as bone and joint positions and rotations, with support for AMTI or Bertec force plates. Live output can stream to Unreal Engine, Unity, MotionBuilder, BoB, OSC, VRPN, ROS, and OSVR. Captury’s APIs support custom streaming pipelines. Systems ship with Ubuntu pre-installed; the maker recommends Gigabit Ethernet cameras, cabling, and a network switch for synchronized video.