Autodesk MotionBuilder vs Vicon Shogun
Autodesk MotionBuilder
autodesk.com
Vicon Shogun
vicon.comSide by side
| Figure | Autodesk MotionBuilder | Vicon Shogun |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 8 | 0 |
| Spec score · Motion Capture Software | 9.2 (#3) | 6.6 (#45) |
| Spec score · Game Motion Capture Software | 9.2 (#2) | 6.6 (#22) |
| Spec score · 3D Character Animation Software | 9.1 (#3) | 6.6 (#29) |
| Integrations | MotionBuilder is designed to complement Maya and 3ds Max and exchanges data through Autodesk FBX with applications that support FBX. | Vicon lists plugins and integrations for Unreal Engine, Unity, MotionBuilder, ROS 2, and LabVIEW. |
| Intended users | Autodesk says professional animation and game studios use MotionBuilder to produce high-quality animations. | Vicon describes Shōgun as designed for creative professionals working in visual effects and animation, and also highlights film, game, education, and production-service users. |
| Purpose | MotionBuilder is 3D character animation software for capturing, editing, and playing back complex animations. | Shōgun is motion capture software for VFX, virtual production, and game development. |
| Support | Autodesk lists 24x7 online support options and resources. | Vicon directs users to its support team for legacy software versions. |
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.
Vicon Shogun
Vicon Shōgun is motion capture software for visual effects, virtual production and game development. The Windows suite includes Shōgun Live for real-time optical capture, Shōgun Markerless for machine-learning full-body tracking and Shōgun Post for cleanup and post-production. Live supports finger solving and direct retargeting and streaming to game engines. Markerless can capture unmarked performers alongside marked props. Post provides automatic gap filling, a gap list, character retargeting, Auto-Skeleton and Python or HSL scripting. Shōgun also tracks film and virtual cameras, calibrates SDI cameras and supports live 3D overlays for AR/XR workflows. Vicon lists streaming to game engines, Epic MetaHuman support, an Unreal Engine Live Link plugin and a MotionBuilder plugin. Post supports USD and TRC, while retargeting exports character FBX. Release 1.21 supports 64-bit Windows 10 and 11; Linux and macOS are unsupported. Licensing is standalone or network.