Importing BVH Motion Capture Files

Selecting File > Import > BVH Motion allows you to import motion-capture files in the popular BVH format. A standard Import dialog appears, allowing you to select your desired path and filename.

Select the Body actor on the figure that you want to animate. Then choose File > Import > BVH Motion. After you select your BVH file, the BVH Export/Import Options dialog appears with the following options:

BVH Export/Import Options.

• Scale the motion capture data automatically?: To determine the correct scale for the BVH files consult the developer’s readme or documentation. :
  • Scale automatically: This is the default option. The BVH motion file will be scaled to match the scale of the Poser figure.
  • Don’t scale figures: The imported BVH file will not be scaled to match the current figure. If the BVH file was created in other software that uses different scaling units, using this option may result in the BVH file not working properly, or can cause the Poser figure to disappear from the screen.
• How are the arms aligned in this motion file?: To determine the correct axis for the BVH files consult the developer’s readme or documentation. Or, you can specify whether a figure’s arms are aligned in the X or Z axis during import. The align axis is determined at the time of recording. Choose the correct axis so your figure will move correctly.
  • Along X-axis: This option is selected by default. In Poser, the X-axis represents the horizontal (left to right) axis.
  • Along Z-axis: In Poser, the Z-axis represents the front to back axis.

Some actors like eyes or hair may not be recognized, but the BVH file will still load. If you make a mistake, return to Frame 1 and re-import the file. Imported BVH keyframes are applied to the currently selected figure and can be edited like any other keyframe (see Editing Keyframes on the Timeline).

In some cases, figures can float above the surface of the floor after you import BVH data. Choose the Scripts > Utility > dropFigToFloorAllFrames command for a useful Python utility that drops the figure to the floor across all keyframes.