Aikido3D
 

Recently while at the New York Aikikai's 40th aniversery summer camp, me and many other people got to watch a presentation about a new software package known as "aikido3D"

The software basicly acts as a database of techniques. You can search the database by the attack type, technique type, or testing requirements (USAF / Aikikai)

Once you've selected the technique and attack. You can watch a 3D nage and uke perform it. You can speed up, slow down, rotate and pan around, and even pause the video.

If you watch it in slow motion you can add a commentary that describes what's happening in the demonstration.

You can check out their website at http://www.aikido3d.com

There is not alot of information there. I kinda wish they would put up a video of what we got to see at the demonstration.

Anyway. Thought I should just bring this to the attention of the community.

Re: Aikido3D
 

I will defiantly be checking this out when it comes out!

Re: Aikido3D
 

Huh. That's a rather large and demanding animation task. Or a long and technically difficult mocap session. I assume they will be using some more-or-less-generally-accepted "standard" aikido such as what doshu demonstrates?

Re: Aikido3D
 

Even if 'non-standard', it should be interesting. I do have to admit I'd like to see a yosh. varient though...kudos to them for the work involved. Have you emailed them about putting up a demo?

RT

Re: Aikido3D
 

Maybe they use the same technique that's been used for NFL broadcasts. Multiple cameras record the action from several angles and the computers figure out how to generate the correct image for a given point of view. No animation or motion sensors needed.

Matt

Re: Aikido3D
 

From the description , it definitively had to be based on a 3D engine of some kind (because of the choice to rotate , zoom and pan) so i guess they must be using a motion capture system to produce the skeletals animations.

That would provide some interesting options like isolating certain movements , or maybe pick from a choice of actors the ones you want to see performing the techs? :)

I would love to see some weapons katas on this software too , a lots of nice things could be achieved certainly , good luck for those people.

Sadly the page doesnt host a lot of info , some videos and a demo as Ron suggested would be nice!


Yours respectfully

Otto

Re: Aikido3D
 

hmmm. The actual quality of the graphics is going to make for an interesting case study. I hope it works out. I think it has great potential...

Re: Aikido3D
 

To answer some of these questions.

I got to talk with the head of the project.

The animation was first done with a few weeks of motion capture. However some of the more complicated animation (fingers for example) were done frame by frame.

The animation package used was Maya (4.5 ?)
The animation was then exprted into a format read by an engine that was built in shockwave 3d.

From what the guy said, all you would need to run it is an 8 meg open GL video card, so it should be available to the majority of the computer community.

I asked him what the price range is and he said anywhere from 40 - 50$. (about the price of a video game when first released)

I also brought up the idea of having other arts in it. He said they were thinking about releasing an expansion that also had sword kata.

Re: Aikido3D
 

Hi Guys,

My name is Shai Golan, and I am the creator of Aikido3D.

I am glad you guys are interested and happy to tell you we will be putting up a new web site very soon. The new site will have lots of information about Aikido3D, screen shots etc.

Aikido3D will soon be available for purchase as well.

Feel free to email me at info@aikido3d.com with any questions.

Shai

Aikido3D
 

Looks interesting:

"Aikido3D is a unique, interactive 3D Aikido training aid, designed to offer innovative ways to explore Aikido techniques and form."

http://www.aikido3d.com/

-- Jun

Re: Aikido3D
 

Geeze Jun

Whatever happened to looking up old threads before posting new ones. :D :p

Re: Aikido3D
 

Tsk, in my day we had to go to the dojo and learn from our Sensei :D You youngins and your fancy virtual shiho nages ar eno match for true ki and dedicated study in an actual environment! :p

Re: Aikido3D
 

I saw it at the USAF-East summer camp. They had Donovan Waite Shihan and, I think, one of the NY Aikikai deshi put on motion capture suits. They performed the techniques and the suits allowed their motions to be inputed into 3D software.

The resulting virtual uke moves like Donovan. The style is fairly standard Aikikai.

The software allows you to speed up, slow down, zoom in and view from any angle the basic techniques of Aikido. It's supposed to be a sort of textbook to supplement, not replace, training in the dojo.

The optional spiral attached to the virtual nage's center is a bit dorky.

The virtual Donovan has a removable hakama, so you can see the footwork. At the premiere, it was suggested, by someone who will remain nameless and who is not necessarily me, that the authors might be able to make more money if the hakama removal option was expanded to other items of clothing.

Jim Baker
Aikido of Norfolk

Re: Aikido3D
 

There's also this:

http://www.adaptiveperception.com/

-- Jun

PS: I'd pay extra for an option to allow a selectable palette of different kinds of clothing for nage/uke...

Re: Aikido3D
 

that's a fantastic idea. I've been wondering how I'd do shihonage wearing a top-hat or sombrero. :D

Re: Aikido3D
 

I am sure it will be cool when it EVER actually is available.
Lan

Re: Aikido3D
 

Hey guys,

Indeed it took us a little longer than expected to finish Aikido3D
but we wanted to support Mac users as well, etc...

Anyway, we are in Early Beta and should release soon. (no Sombreros though :-) )

Thanks for your continuing interest!

Shai Golan
Aikido3D Team

Aikido3D
 

Hey all,

I found a nice little training aid. Check out www.Aikido3d.com. It uses motion capture technology so that you can watch a technique as slow or fast as you would like. You also get to modify the angles you see it from. Very useful for kyu ranks because you can view all the 5th thru 1st kyu requirements. It features the aikido of Donovan Waite Shihan. I feel it is worth a look, especially for those who may be taking a kyu test.

Re: Aikido3D
 

That sounds awesome , i will definitely check it out

Re: Aikido3D
 

Hey, I've heard something about this before....but I can't put my finger on it.... ;)

Bryce

Re: Aikido3D
 

I just checked out the site. The animation looks good. Maybe they should post the url on CGTalk. I have done a bit of 3D modelling and animation with LightWave and Maya and have always wanted to do something like this as a challenge.

Great Aikido website
 

Hi,

I saw this site today, it has amazing 3D movies of Aikido, worth having a look. The address is:

http://www.aikido3d.com/

:)

Aikido3D - Has anyone used this?
 

Take a look at this website: www.aikido3d.com

It has a product on there much like an instructional DVD, but in 3D graphics. The website states that you can view the technique from any angle and zoom in etc.

My question is, is it any good? Things like finger placement for kotegaeshi etc could be an issue in my mind. I would like to know from someone who:

A. Owns the product
B. Does not work for the company/producres

Re: Aikido3D - Has anyone used this?
 

Hopefully these links will help you:

http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showth...light=Aikido3D

http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showth...light=Aikido3D

The first link is more "review oriented" and the second is more about the use of motion capture.

There were some pretty good honest reviews on Aikido-L, but I don't know the links for those. I haven't bought it yet, but I'm sure I'll be please as I'm rather partial to Donovan Waite and the association he's a member of. I don't remember people mentioned exact hand placement as you can't control the exact angles you view the technique from.

Re: Aikido3D - Has anyone used this?
 

Thanks Giriasis,

I will take a look at those posts (I should have searched). I did notice an article in the reviews section, but was just an advert really