VFX Reallusion launches Cartoon Animator 4.2 and 2D Motion LIVE, first 2D animation system for live performance and motion capture -

Reallusion launches Cartoon Animator 4.2 and 2D Motion LIVE, first 2D animation system for live performance and motion capture

Reallusion has announced the release of Cartoon Animator 4.2 and 2D Motion LIVE, the first complete 2D animation system for live performance and motion capture (mocap).

Reallusion (www.reallusion.com), creator of consumer software and kernel technologies for facial animation and real-time moviemaking, is dedicated to advancing the accessibility of content creation tools for users of all skill levels. Emphasizing on easy to use and powerful performance, Reallusion connects consumers to pro-level 3D animation, avatar creation and filmmaking technology for video, streaming media, web and handheld devices.

2D Motion Live, a new plugin for Cartoon Animator is a unique 2D mocap solution that connects industry-leading motion capture devices to control characters and puppets inside Cartoon Animator for a total face, body and hand solution. 2D Motion Live brings characters to the stage as live performances with a fast production workflow for character setup, motion capture, and editing.

“Motion capture for 2D character animation is a true breakthrough. Now creating full-body 2D mocap or even unique hand puppets is a workflow revolution for 2D animation work. is democratizing the 2D animation world with software that is affordable enough for any creator or studio to innovate their workflow,” said Reallusion Asia-South executive director Marissa Ginger Tontaveetong.

Traditional keyframe animation is upgraded with the efficiency and speed through Cartoon Animator 2D Motion LIVE, a complete 2D character animation pipeline from creating custom rigged-characters, bringing characters to life with mocap devices, and animation with timeline editing.

The 2D Motion LIVE well-synced data streaming design, freely allows users to combine different mocap devices to suit upper-body to full-body mocap scenarios. One can select the iPhone or Webcam for 3D-like facial performance, and use Leap Motion Controller for finger and arm movement or suit up with Perception Neuron mocap devices to enable full-body motion capture, puppeteering, and live actor performance.

Real-time productivity to the 2D animation process can also be added with quick iteration and collaboration through the 2D Motion LIVE animation workflow. Get feedback fast and deliver animations faster with real-time character motion capture.

Added Noitom International president Roch Nakajima, “Cartoon Animator 4 is a game-changer for any content creator looking to simplify their animation workflow. It’s absolutely incredible! Using our Perception Neuron mocap suits to capture body movements, even complex 2D characters can be manipulated in real-time with ease. And with Perception Neuron’s point-to-point remote broadcasting tool, it can be done from home, or to and from anywhere remotely. This almost makes creating 2D animated cartoons like child’s play!” 

Animators can find a few application breakthroughs in Fast Production, LIVE Animation and Interactive Events.

The additional features of these tools are:

  • Perform to animate
  • Synchronous multi-device motion capture
  • iPhone and webcam face tracking
  • Runtime posture adjustment and correction
  • Foot Stabilisation and Floor Contact
  • Finger tracking and Whole Arm IK
  • Multi-pass recording
  • Sample motion for re editing – 80 per cent mocap 20 per cent fine tune