Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

It s Alive in the Lab

18/11/2013

CGW takes Autodesk Labs' Leap Motion Plug-in for MotionBuilder under the microscope.

This fall, Autodesk unveiled a technology preview of a new Leap Motion Controller plug-in for Autodesk MotionBuilder - the 3D animation software for virtual production used to create blockbuster films like Avatar, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings franchise. Available online as a free download from Autodesk Labs, the plug-in is giving MotionBuilder users a chance to test out the popular controller with MotionBuilder 2014 and share their thoughts about the technology with Autodesk.

CGW Editor-in-Chief Karen Moltenbrey sat down with Autodesks Hans Kellner, senior principal engineer, to get the inside scoop.

Please give us a brief overview of Autodesk Labs. Autodesk Labs, part of the Office of the CTO, is a collaborative hub of innovation for new and emerging technologies. The team experiments and posts early conceptual stage prototypes, technology previews and experimental web services for new and existing users to provide direct feedback and help Autodesk evaluate and design better products and solutions informed by our users.

What is the Leap Motion Controller and how does it work? The Leap Motion Controller is a small sensor, around half the size of a cell phone, which tracks the 3D motion of hands and fingers. This information is then used by applications for a more natural 3D user interaction.

How did the collaboration with Leap Motion come about? We met the founders of Leap Motion early on and saw potential around integrating 3D motion control with Autodesk design solutions. From there we built early prototypes to understand potential utilities inherent to 3D design solutions. The Leap Motion plug-in for Autodesk Maya 2014 evolved directly from that work. Soon after, the plug-in for Autodesk MotionBuilder was born.

How does the new plug-in work with MotionBuilder 2014? The plug-in evolved from the work on the Leap Motion Controller plug-in for Autodesk Maya 2014 - one of the first applications available to use the full 3D capabilities of the Leap Motion Controller. MotionBuilders SDK allowed for a rapid prototype of the device plug-in. Using the plug-in is as simple as adding it into a MotionBuilder scene. At that point the hand and finger motion data streamed from the controller is available for animating models and recording for playback. A user can connect items in a scene to a hand or fingers position and rotation data. For example, connecting a finger to a control handle of a characters rig so that the finger animates the character.

What advantages can users expect from it at this time? The plug-in allows MotionBuilder users to quickly and inexpensively begin using and experimenting with 3D natural interactions provided by the Leap Motion Controller.

Have you received feedback from the community thus far? fter we released the plug-in for Autodesk Maya 2014, we received positive feedback as well as requests for a MotionBuilder version; back in August one user wrote on the Leap Motion Airspace store, Autodesk: PLEASE create a LeapMotion device for MotionBuilder. This type of feedback helped motivate the development of the MotionBuilder plug-in. So far, feedback on the plug-in has been positive.

How are you collecting feedback and how will it be used? Autodesk Labs is specifically set up to generate feedback and communicate with users. The feedback, which arrives through traditional online forums (e.g. email, discussion group) or social media, helps Autodesk to understand what has value in our customers world and to drive the future of Autodesk innovation. The MotionBuilder plug-in is a direct example of feedback informing development. As I mentioned earlier, this direct feedback loop will hopefully lead to better products and solutions.

What differentiates a technology preview like this from an official Autodesk release? A technology preview is a free working prototype, in the early conceptual stage, usually raw, unfinished, but usable. Mind the gap as they say. It may be short lived or evolve into an actual product or a feature within a product. Community feedback plays an important part in the life of a preview. Autodesk 123D Catch, originally launched on Labs as Project Photofly, is a great example of a product beginning on Labs, graduating and then evolving into a very popular app. We released the app about one year ago and users have already uploaded over 50,000 models captured in 123D Catch to our Gallery.

When is the plug-in available, where and for how long? The plug-in is available through the Autodesk Labs website.

The plug-in for MotionBuilder will be available until January 31, 2014.

What is the next step for the Leap Motion MotionBuilder plug-in? Users will help determine the future of the plug-in. We tell users, Trying it, liking it, and not telling us is the same as not liking it. We need to hear from you. During the preview we will be collecting feedback that may lead to additional features and changes. After the preview has ended, the evaluation of the plug-in begins and a decision will be made if it will graduate from Labs. Im a little biased and hope to see that happen.

Can we expect to see similar Leap Motion plug-ins for other Autodesk applications from Labs in the future? Its always possible. If the community asks for support in another Autodesk application, Labs will take notice. We cant make promises, but I can say, the MotionBuilder plug-in arose because of feedback.

See a demo of the Leap Motion Controller being used to animate a gremlins arms below.
LINK: http://www.cgw.com/Press-Center/In-Focus/2013/It-s-Alive-in-the-Lab.as...
See more stories from cwg

Most recent headlines

09/11/2025

Dalet Unveils Agentic AI Media Workflows at IBC2025

Dalet today announced a transformative leap forward for media operations: Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) that unifies the Dalet ecosystem under one natura...

03/11/2025

SVG Sit-Down: Inside the Sports Rights Landscape (and the new IMG) with Andrew Demsey, IMG SVP, North America Rights

SVG Sit-Down: Inside the Sports Rights Landscape (and the new IMG) with Andrew D...

03/11/2025

Challenging the Norm: How TNT Sports is Evolving Coverage of the Men's and Women's FA Cups With a Fresh Approach

Challenging the norm: How TNT Sports is evolving coverage of the men's and w...

03/11/2025

Inspired Storytelling: TNT Sports' Pete Thomas on Creating Opportunities Out of Challenges for the FA Cups

Inspired storytelling: TNT Sports' Pete Thomas on creating opportunities out...

03/11/2025

NBA 2K League Returns With New Format Featuring NBA Players, Creators, and Fans

NBA 2K League Returns With New Format Featuring NBA Players, Creators, and FansSeason will include online tournaments, in-person events, and open-ladder fan com...

03/11/2025

Live on the Water: The Rowing Channel Pulls Off Historic Production at Head Of The Charles Regatta

Live on the Water: The Rowing Channel Pulls Off Historic Production at Head Of T...

03/11/2025

L3Harris and ESL Labs: A Strategic Investment in Canada's Defence Future

Strategic partnership to expand specialized testing equipment, advance national security and support regional economic growth...

03/11/2025

How Will the FCC's Busy Fall Agenda Impact Broadcasters?

In less than two weeks during late September and early October, the Federal Communications Commission acted on two proposed rulemakings that could have an enorm...

03/11/2025

NAB's Josh Miely Named VP of Technology, Programming and Education

Josh Miely is returning to a more hands-on radio and TV role with the National Association of Broadcasters....

03/11/2025

All You Need to Know About MXL

Broadcasters have spent years trying to integrate different vendor technologies in their facilities. As the industry has moved closer to software, that struggle...

03/11/2025

The Battle to Protect Broadcast Content From AI Has Just Begun

As the malevolent siege against broadcasters' interests intensifies from the far reaches of artificial intelligence misuse to relentless innovation in the m...

03/11/2025

Gary Snow Plans to Retire From Wheatstone

Wheatstone founder and owner Gary Snow will retire from the company by the end of next year....

03/11/2025

Hybrid, AI Are Guiding the Measurement of TV Viewership

In ye olde days of traditional television, when U.S. TV viewing options were limited to ABC, CBS, NBC and PBS, Nielsen's paper diaries were sufficient for t...

03/11/2025

Trailer & poster unveiled for Sky Original festive family feature film Tinsel Town

Monday 3 November 2025 To view this content, please enable our use of cookies. ...

03/11/2025

Rohde & Schwarz acquires open source intelligence specialist Munich Innovation Labs GmbH

Rohde & Schwarz acquires open source intelligence specialist Munich Innovation L...

03/11/2025

Rohde & Schwarz launches revolutionary super wideband mobile network scanner, setting new standard for 5G

Rohde & Schwarz launches revolutionary super wideband mobile network scanner, se...

03/11/2025

Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate on AI-powered 6G receiver to cut costs, accelerate time to market

Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate on AI-powered 6G receiver to cut costs, ac...

03/11/2025

A4ESSOR and OCCAR sign new procurement contract to advance development of interoperable tactical communication

A4ESSOR and OCCAR sign new procurement contract to advance development of intero...

03/11/2025

Sitep Australia joins Rohde & Schwarz team for Hunter class frigate communications

Sitep Australia joins Rohde & Schwarz team for Hunter class frigate communicatio...

03/11/2025

Famke Janssen Stars as Betty Jonkers in "Forever Pour Toujours" Music Video

Back to All News Famke Janssen Stars as Betty Jonkers in "Forever Pour Toujours" Music Video Entertainment 03 November 2025 GlobalNetherlandsBelgium Link c...

03/11/2025

Red Seat Ventures and The 33rd Team Announce Exclusive Sales Partnership

Red Seat Ventures and The 33rd Team Announce Exclusive Sales Partnership Red Seat Ventures to Spearhead Sales Representation for The 33rd Team's Dynamic S...

03/11/2025

Brand New RT Documentary Series Tonight New RT Documentary Series Trackers: The People v The Banks

They've made that decision and ruined an awful lot of people's lives. ...

02/11/2025

Space42 Expands Earth Observation Constellation, Foresight, with Launch of Three New SAR Satellites

Abu Dhabi, UAE November 2, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powe...

01/11/2025

Thunderbolt 3 and Symphony MkII

Thunderbolt 3 Now Standard on Symphony MkII - Starting November 11 Beginning November 11, all new Apogee Symphony I/O MkII units will ship with Thunderbolt 3 as...

01/11/2025

Expanding Symphony Desktop Using ADAT

How to Expand the Apogee Symphony Desktop with Cranborne 500ADAT Want to expand your Symphony Desktop beyond two inputs? Whether you're tracking a full drum...

01/11/2025

aconnic AG releases Half Year Financial Report 2025 and implements Change Measures

aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, has published the Financial Report for ...

01/11/2025

tvONE and Matrox Video Partner to Deliver Flawless AV-ove...

tvONE is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Matrox Video, combining CALICO PRO's high-performance video processing with the Matrox ConvertIP Ser...

01/11/2025

CJP Broadcast Joins Grass Valley Partner Programme to Str...

CJP Broadcast has joined the Grass Valley partner programme as both a Systems Integration Partner and AMPP Partner. The collaboration enhances CJP's ability...

01/11/2025

TAG Video Systems Earns Dual Recognition for ESG Initiati...

TAG Video Systems, the leader in software-based IP end-to-end workflow monitoring, deep probing, and real-time visualization, has earned a higher-rated DPP Comm...

01/11/2025

Operative Announces New CEO to Drive Next Phase of Growth

Michael Napodano Appointed New CEO Of Operative Media Operative today announced the appointment of Mike Napodano as Chief Executive Officer, marking the next s...

01/11/2025

Cine Gear Expo Atlanta 2025 Success at Trilith Studios

Film industry professionals flocked to Cine Gear Expo Atlanta 2025 at celebrated Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, Georgia, on October 3 and 4. Back for its 6th ...

01/11/2025

Christopher Ross BSC and 300 Asteras Light the Border Cro...

Photo courtesy of Peacock and Sky Christopher Ross, BSC, began his cinematic obsession early. He cites reading Scorsese on Scorsese as a teenager with teaching...

01/11/2025

ITN, Magnite Launch New Private Marketplace for Local Linear TV

NEW YORK ITN and the sell-side advertising company Magnite have announced the launch of what they are billing as the industrys first Local Linear TV Private Mar...

01/11/2025

Netflix Unveils Operation Safed Sagar' at the Inaugural Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon 2025

Back to All News Netflix Unveils Operation Safed Sagar' at the Inaugural S...

01/11/2025

Netflix Announces Partnership With Yash Raj Films, Bringing Iconic Bollywood Titles to the Platform

Back to All News Netflix Announces Partnership With Yash Raj Films, Bringing Ic...

31/10/2025

FanDuel Sports Network To Deliver Selected Live NBA, NHL Games to Major Streaming Services for In-Market Viewers

FanDuel Sports Network To Deliver Selected Live NBA, NHL Games to Major Streamin...

31/10/2025

NBC Jumps Out of the Gate in Extended Breeder's Cup Deal With Dual Drones, Jockey Cams, RF Super-Mo

NBC Jumps Out of the Gate in Extended Breeder's Cup Deal With Dual Drones, J...

31/10/2025

Tribute: Remembering Segomotso Keorapetse (28 May 1968 22 October 2025)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 30 October 2025 It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Segomotso Keorapetse, an award- winning South African television d...

31/10/2025

Nexstar Extends Chairman and CEO Perry Sook Through 2029

IRVING, Texas As station groups move into an era that promises rapid tech, regulatory and economic changes, Nexstar Media Group said its board has extended chai...

31/10/2025

Late Night Thrives on Social Media With Billions of Views in 2025

While some analysts have questioned the ongoing economic viability of broacast-TV late night shows amid ongoing declines in linear viewing, new data from Tubula...

31/10/2025

Disney Programming Dropped From YouTube TV

The contentious contract negotiations between The Walt Disney Co. and YouTube TV have resulted in a blackout of Disney-owned programming on the pay TV operator....

31/10/2025

tvONE Integrates CALICO PRO Video Processing With Matrox ConvertIP Series

CINCINNATI Video conversion and AV signal distribution specialist tvONE and Matrox Video have struck a strategic partnership, combining CALICO PRO's video p...

31/10/2025

IAB Urges Standards for CTV Ad Measurement

NEW YORK The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) today released a new industry guide that discusses the urgency of adopting new standards that will help advert...

31/10/2025

Late Night Shows Thrive on Social Media with Billions of Views in 2025

While some analysts have questioned the ongoing economic viability of late night shows on broadcast TV amid ongoing declines in linear viewing, new data from Tu...

31/10/2025

Berklee Celebrates the Inauguration of President Jim Lucchese

Berklee Celebrates the Inauguration of President Jim Lucchese In his inaugural address, Lucchese shared an optimistic vision for Berklee's future as a for...

31/10/2025

Family, Food, and Films: Netflix's 'Dining with the Kapoors' Arrives November 21

Back to All News Family, Food, and Films: Netflix's Dining with The Kapoors...

31/10/2025

DPA 4055 Featured in Technologies for Worship Magazine

The review highlights DPA 4055 Kick Drum Microphone for its compact design, ease of placement, and authentic tone that captures the true character of the drum p...

31/10/2025

RT Raidi na Gaeltachta Award 2025 to be presented to Piln N Chiarin

The RT Raidi na Gaeltachta Award 2025 will be presented to journalist P il n N Chiar in at the Oireachtas na Samhna in Belfast tomorrow, Saturday 1 November,...

31/10/2025

Share the magic: RT lyric fm Choirs for Christmas Competition 2025 open for submissions

RT lyric fm is calling for choirs across Ireland to share their festive music-m...