Aligning Rigid Body Pivot Point with a Replicated 3D Model

This page provides some information on aligning a Rigid Body pivot point with a real object replicated 3D model.

Overview

When using streamed Rigid Body data to animate a real-life replicate 3D model, the alignment of the pivot point is necessary. In other words, the location of the Rigid Body pivot coincides with the location of the pivot point in the corresponding 3D model. If they are not aligned accurately, the animated motion will not be in a 1:1 ratio compared to the actual motion. This alignment is commonly needed for real-time VR applications where real-life objects are 3D modeled and animated in the scene. The suggested approaches for aligning these pivot points will be discussed on this page.

Aligning Rigid Body Pivot Point

There are two methods for doing this. Using a measurement probe to sample 3D points to reference from, or simply using a reference grayscale view to align. The first method of creating and using a measurement probe is most accurate and recommended.

Method 1: Using Measurement Probe Feature

Step 1. Create a Rigid Body of the target object

First of all, create a Rigid Body from the markers on the target object. By default, the pivot point of the Rigid Body will be positioned at the geometrical center of the marker placement. Then place the object onto somewhere stable where it will stay stationary.

Step 2. Create a measurement probe.

For instructions on creating a measurement probe, please refer to Measurement Probe page. You can purchase our probe or create your own. All you need is 4 markers with a static relationship to a projected tip.

Step 3. Collect data points to outline the silhouette

Use the created measurement probe to collect sample data points that outlines the silhouette of your object. Mark all of the corners and other key features on the object.

Step 4. Attach 3D model

After 3D data points have been generated using the probe, attach your game geometry (obj file) to the Rigid Body by turning on the Model Replace property and importing the geometry under Attached Geometry property.

Step 5. Translate the pivot point

Next step is to translate the 3D model so that the attached model aligns with the silhouette sample that we collected in Step 3. The model can be easily translated and rotated using the GIZMO tool. Move, rotate, and scale the asset unit it is aligned with the silhouette.

For accurate alignment, it will be easier to decrease the size of the marker visual. This can be changed from the Marker Diameter setting under the application settings panel.

Step 6. Copy transformation values

After you have translated, rotated, and scaled the pivot point of the Rigid Body to align the attached 3D model with the sampled data points, the transformation values will be shown under the Attached Geometry property.

Copy and paste this transformation parameter onto the Rigid Body location and orientation options under the Edit tab in the Builder pane. This will translate the pivot point of the Rigid Body in Motive, and align it with the pivot point of the 3D model.

Step 7. Zero all transformation values in the Attached Geometry section

Once the Rigid Body pivot point has been moved using the Builder pane, zero all of the transformation configurations under the Attached Geometry property for the Rigid Body.

Method 2: Using Reference Grayscale View

Alternatively, if probe method is not applicable, you can also switch one of the cameras into grayscale view, right click on the camera in the Cameras view and select Make Reference. This will create a Rigid Body overlay in the Camera view pane to align the Rigid Body pivot using the similar approach as above.