Autodesk MotionBuilder vs Webcam Motion Capture

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.

Webcam Motion Capture uses a computer or smartphone camera to drive a 3D avatar, with tracking for hands and fingers, head and upper body, facial expressions, eye gaze, blinking, and lip sync. It can send tracking data to VMC-compatible apps, including VSeeFace and game engines using plugins, and can save motion data as FBX for use in Blender, Maya, and 3ds Max. The maker describes pairing it with OBS Studio to record or stream avatar video. It can also receive mocopi motion data and combine it with hand and face tracking. The FAQ lists Windows 10 or later and macOS Catalina or later; the listed platforms are iOS, macOS, and Windows. A free plan is available, but hiding the interface, sending tracking data to external apps, and saving FBX files require a subscription. The maker permits commercial content creation and monetization, while prohibiting resale or redistribution of the app.