Using AIM for sports and biomechanics

There are two generic AIM models for the sports marker set available in the installation of QTM in the subfolder Models\AIM:

  • The file Sports_Static.qam contains all markers, including the static markers that must be included for the skeleton calibration

  • The file Sports_Dynamic.qam contains all markers that are needed for skeleton tracking.

To apply one of these AIM models, add it to the Applied models list on the AIM page under Project Options.

The best way to use AIM for sports and biomechanics depends on your specific application. Two possible use scenarios are suggested below, but of course you can choose an alternative approach that works best for your application.

  • Scenario 1
    Use the generic AIM models included with QTM for calibration and tracking. The generic AIM models include a standard prefix Q_ for all the marker labels, corresponding to a standard skeleton name Q. This scenario is only suitable when measuring a single person.

  • For the static pose:

    • Use the static AIM model Sports_Static.qam for labeling the static pose. The static AIM model includes the static markers that are required for the skeleton calibration.

  • For the dynamic measurements there are the following options:

    • Use the static AIM model Sports_Static.qam if you want to keep the static markers during the dynamic measurements.
    • Use the dynamic AIM model Sports_Dynamic.qam if you want to do the dynamic measurements without the static markers.

  • It is not possible to automatically label extra markers with the generic AIM models. You need to create a new AIM model if you want to include extra markers.

  • The prefix of the marker labels can be changed by editing the AIM file (.qam) in a text editor using search and replace.

  • Scenario 2
    Create a specific AIM model for an individual person. This scenario is similar to the one described for animation applications, see chapter Generating an AIM model for animation.

  • For the static pose:

    1. Use the generic static AIM model Sports_Static.qam for automatic labeling of the first capture for skeleton calibration.

    2. Optionally, you can rename the prefixes of the markers for creating a skeleton definition with a different name. The easiest way to do this is to select the trajectories in the trajectory info window, remove the prefix of the selected trajectories and add a new prefix. Do not forget to use an underscore character "_" as a separator.

    3. Use a static pose to calibrate the skeleton, see chapter Skeleton calibration.

  • For the dynamic measurements:

    1. Capture a file with a range of motion. Use one of the generic AIM models to label it, with or without static markers, depending on the marker setup you want to use for your dynamic trials.

    2. Rename the prefixes so that they correspond to the skeleton name.

    3. If you want to use extra markers you need to manually label them. Use the same prefix if you want to include them in the skeleton definition.

    4. 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 persons, repeat the above steps for each person. When done, add all persons to be included in the capture to Applied models on the AIM page in Project Options.