On June 26-28, 2006, the The San Diego Center for Human Performance (CHP) performed its first capture of horse motion. Using a 16 camera Eagle system from Motion Analysis Corporation, the CHP set-up on location at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center where they successfully captured the movements of five unique dressage horses.
The CHP, with support from Motion Analysis Studios in Hollywood, utilized a set of 76 markers attached at various segments of the horse to create a motion-solved skeleton to be used for the development of a Horse Agent for the Massive software. The agent developer, Six Foot Duck, contracted the CHP to capture over 300 equestrian moves ranging from a standard trot to an Andalusian passage. These motion capture actions will supply the movement tree for a new Ready-to-Run Agent for Massive, developed specifically for 3D character building for large animated scenes such as stampedes and battle fields.
"A project of this magnitude is a definitive first and offered a number of technical challenges for us, particularly since the location was in an arena with partially blocked sunlight. Fortunately, however, we were able to get the Real-Time Eagle system to overcome these stumbling blocks and capture some really cool moves from these horses!", said Arnel Aguinaldo, Director of the Center for Human Performance. "I guess you can say we are now no longer just a Center for HUMAN Performance!".
About the Center for Human Performance
Located in the Motion Analysis Laboratory at Children's Hospital San Diego, the Center for Human Performance (CHP) was established with the goals of studying and evaluating athletic performance and injury prevention using motion analysis and oxygen consumption technology.
The Center has worked with many athletes with different backgrounds and experiences. Previous clients include athletes from Major League Baseball, NCAA, US Olympic Training Center, Oakley Footwear, PGA, and local running clubs.