Motion Analysis Cortex 1.0 replaces EvART

Motion Analysis announces the release of Cortex 1.0, the industry’s first mocap tracking software tailored to both a 32-bit and a 64-bit operating system for use with high-throughput multi-processor environments. Cortex replaces the company’s current core software, EVaRT and includes support for the new Raptor class of high-performance digital cameras. This next generation of 3D real-time motion capture software comprises tracking, editing, scripting and modeling functions in a single integrated package.

"Cortex is built on Microsoft's .NET Framework", said Shel Fung, Senior VP of Engineering. "The .NET framework maximizes the productivity for our programmers, which translates into more features delivered at a faster rate to our customers. Due to the success and emulation of EVaRT's ease-of use and customer familiarity, Cortex, by design, maintains a strong resemblance to the successful EVaRT user interface and functionality.", Mr. Fung added.

For biomechanics customers, Cortex features new kinematics and kinetics features, including user selectable bone axis and Euler angle sequence, linear and rotational velocities and accelerations for each segment, and linear and rotational acceleration of the center of mass.

For video production and pre-viz customers, Cortex features the new camera tracking module, CamTrack, which automates the process of aligning the virtual scene coordinates with those of the production studio. Laborious surveying of the production studio is not required. The production studio camera is tracked along with the performers to provide a live stream of animation viewed precisely from the position of the production studio camera. The data, including the principal point information, can be simultaneously streamed to animation software to provide the same special effect.

Cortex runs under the Windows Vista and WinXP operating systems. Many of the tabular menu controls found in EVaRT have been replaced with more modern icons. The icon tool tray can be re-configured to the user's preference, resulting in easier navigation and a 30% increase in screen display. Other new Cortex features include a new and improved QuickFiles (file management) feature, wireless data triggering, a 2D zoom function and improved 3D calibration accuracy reporting. Backwards compatibility with existing data files and projects is maintained to ensure existing workflows.

Cortex's installation is Windows registry independent, allowing cleaner side-by-side execution of different versions of Cortex. Cortex's internal plug-in architecture has been simplified through templates, making it easier for third party developers to create plug-ins to Cortex using free Microsoft Visual Studio express versions. Existing external software programs and plug-ins that use the MAC exclusive simultaneous-connection SDK2 environment will run without changes under Cortex.Cortex contains a new embedded "Single Touch" Sky scripting interface with access to hundreds of pre-programmed scripts that can be quickly and easily modified for custom operation. Sky now has user definable

source www.motionanalysis.com