Generating an AIM model for animation

This chapter describes the best practice for using AIM for skeleton tracking for animation.

It is highly recommended to create a specific AIM model for each actor to be tracked. To create a new AIM model, follow these steps:

  1. On the AIM page in Project Options, add one of the generic AIM models for animation to Applied models. The following generic AIM models are available in the QTM installation in the subfolder Models\AIM:

    1. The file Animation.qam contains a generic AIM model for the default markers of the Qualisys Animation Marker Set.

    2. The file Animation_Optional.qam contains a generic AIM model for the default markers and all the optional markers described in the Animation Marker Set Guide.

    3. The file Animation_Claw contains a generic AIM model for the default markers of the Qualisys Animation and Qualisys Claw Marker Set.

    4. The file Animation_Optional_Claw.qam contains a generic AIM model for default and all the optional markers for the Animation marker set and default markers for the Claw marker set.

    5. The files Claw_left.qam and Claw_Right.qam contains a generic AIM models with the default markers for the Claw marker set, respectively for the left and right hand . These AIM models are only for identifying the hands. They can't be combined with the Animation AIM models, because then the marker labels will overlap. Use the Animation_Claw or Animation_Optional_Claw AIM models to combine Animation and Claw marker set.

  2. Make a capture of the actor. A good practice is to make a capture including a T-pose and a Range of Motion sequence, which can be used afterward to calibrate and validate the skeleton definition.

  3. Make sure that the labeling by the selected AIM model is correct.

    You may also use the load the label lists for each respective AIM model and label the trajectories manually. The label lists are available in the subfolder Models\AIM. This option needs to be used for the Full Finger Marker Set, because there are no generic AIM models for the Qualisys Full Fingers Marker Set. The reason is that the identification of the finger markers is improved by capturing a specific AIM model for that actor.

  4. If you are using extra markers, add the labels manually to include them in the new AIM model.

  5. Add a prefix to labels. You must end the prefix with an underscore, e.g., JD_ for a skeleton with name JD.

    The first underscore in a trajectory label will be used as the separator for the skeleton name.

    You must have different prefixes on the right and left hand if the hands are captured without the body.

  6. Create a new AIM model, see chapter Generating an AIM model for more detailed information.

If needed, you can improve the AIM model by training it with more movement data, see chapter Generating an AIM model for more detailed information.

If you want capture multiple actors, repeat the above steps for each actor. When done, add all actors to be included in the capture to Applied models on the AIM page in Project Options.