Autodesk MotionBuilder vs Open Mocap
Autodesk MotionBuilder
autodesk.comOpen Mocap
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Autodesk MotionBuilder | Open Mocap |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · Motion Capture Software | 9.2 (#3) | 7.4 (#27) |
| Intended users | Autodesk says professional animation and game studios use MotionBuilder to produce high-quality animations. | The maker describes it as designed for artists, animators, and researchers seeking motion capture inside Blender. |
| Support | Autodesk lists 24x7 online support options and resources. | The README directs users to email [email protected] or open a GitHub issue for help. |
| What it does | MotionBuilder is Autodesk software for real-time 3D character animation used in games, feature films and television. | Open Mocap is an open-source Blender add-on for AI-powered motion capture. |
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.
Open Mocap
Open Mocap is a free, open-source Blender add-on for AI-powered motion capture. It captures full-body movement offline from video and tracks hands both offline and in real time. Captured motion can be retargeted to a 3D character rig, with the workflow staying inside Blender and requiring no external software. The maker describes it for artists, animators, and researchers seeking motion capture in Blender. The add-on runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, but compatibility is limited to Blender 4.0.0 and earlier. Recommended compatible components include Blender’s bundled Python 3.10, MediaPipe 0.10.14, OpenCV-Python 4.11.0.86, and CVZone 1.6.1; newer versions may cause runtime errors. The project uses the MIT License and welcomes bug reports, performance improvements, feature work, documentation contributions, and pull requests. Help is available by emailing [email protected] or opening a GitHub issue. There is no facial tracking or API access.