Data Export: BVH
BVH File Format
Motive can export tracking data in BioVision Hierarchy (BVH) file format. Exported BVH files do not include individual marker data. Instead, a selected skeleton is exported using hierarchical segment relationships. In a BVH file, the 3D location of a primary skeleton segment (Hips) is exported, and data on subsequent segments are recorded by using joint angles and segment parameters. Only one skeleton is exported for each BVH file, and it contains the fundamental skeleton definition that is required for characterizing the skeleton in other pipelines.
Notes on relative joint angles generated in Motive: Joint angles generated and exported from Motive are intended for basic visualization purposes only and should not be used for any type of biomechanical or clinical analysis.
General Export Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
Frame Rate | Number of samples included per every second of exported data. |
Start Frame | Start frame of the exported data. You can set it to the recorded first frame of the exported Take (the default option), to the start of the working range (or scope range), as configured under the Control Deck or in the Graph View pane, or select Custom to enter a specific frame number. |
End Frame | End frame of the exported data. You can set it to the recorded end frame of the exported Take (the default option), to the end of the working range (or scope range), as configured under the Control Deck of in the Graph View pane, or select Custom to enter a specific frame number. |
Scale | Apply scaling to the exported tracking data. |
Units | Sets the length units to use for exported data. |
Axis Convention | Sets the axis convention on exported data. This can be set to a custom convention or select preset conventions for Entertainment or Measurement. |
X Axis Y Axis Z Axis | Allows customization of the axis convention in the exported file by determining which positional data to be included in the corresponding data set. |
BVH Specific Export Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
Single Bone Torso | When this is set to true, there will be only one skeleton segment for the torso. When set to false, there will be extra joints on the torso, above the hip segment. |
Exclude Fingers | When set to true, exported skeletons will not include the fingers, if they are tracked in the Take file. |
Hands Downward | Sets the exported skeleton base pose to use hands facing downward. |
Bone Naming Convention | Sets the name of each skeletal segment according to the bone naming convention used in the selected application: Motive, FBX or 3dsMax. |
Bone Name Syntax | Sets the convention for bone names in the exported data. |
Skeleton Names | Select which skeletons will be exported: All skeletons, selected skeletons, or custom. The custom option will populate the selection field with the names of all the skeletons in the Take. Remove the names of the skeletons you do not wish to include in your export. Names must match the names of actual skeletons in the Take to export. |
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