Miku fans are delighted that Kinect is finally doing something useful – the system has been hacked to serve as a motion capture device for MikuMiku Dance.
MikuMiku Dance is a freeware 3D modelling tool designed specifically for creating 3D CG Vocaloid MADs.
The major weakness of MMD modelling has frequently been a lack of accessible motion capture to provide smooth and convincing dancing – with Kinect used as a motion capture device, this issue can be neatly sidestepped, although MAD creators will still need a competent dancer to capture.
The system in action:
Aside from some overactive clothing and hair physics, and the usual atrocious clipping issues, the results are most convincing indeed.
Some of the other functionality now available to MMD maestros:
Kinect itself is proving a most impressive piece of hardware as well:
Whilst even all this is unlikely to save Kinect in Japan, it does look set to provide a new generation of motion-captured MADs – quite an improvement.
Makes me consider buying a Kinect, and i don’t even own a 360.
Miku is Sharon Apple.Miku will be Sharon Apple.
Put Miku and the gang in Dance Central, package it, and rake in the dough. No-brainer really.
These videos, especially the last 2, made my impression of kinect turn 180º. Its hard for me to believe how accurate is the device’s depth perception. The 360 might be a sinking boat (MS was right about rushing its release after all), but kinect’s potential is amazing.
All according to Miku’s plan.. ha… ha… ha…