html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Reallusion has released iClone 8.53, the latest update to the real-time animation software.The release extends support for motion-capture workflows, adding support for timecode data in iClone itself, and introducing a new paid-for Timecode plugin for working with that data. It is also now possible to stream live data to iClone from Vicon optical motion-capture systems, via a new paid-for Vicon profile for iClone’s Motion Live system. But first: a quick recap of iClone’s existing motion-capture add-ons Some of the new features in iClone 8.53 are available free to existing users, while others require you to buy new add-ons, so first, here’s a quick recap of how iClone works with mocap data.The base software can import pre-recorded mocap in BVH or FBX format, but to stream in data in real time, you need the Motion Live plugin, now included free with iClone 8. Motion Live supports a range of full-body motion-capture systems, including Qualisys optical systems, and inertial mocap systems from OptiTrack, Perception Neuron, Rokoko and Xsens. It is also possible to stream in facial capture data from an iPhone or a webcam, and finger capture data from Rokoko Smartgloves or legacy Leap Motion 1 devices. Each requires its own paid-for Motion Live profile, which can cost many times more than iClone itself: the OptiTrack, Qualisys and Xsens profiles are over three times the price of the core app. iClone 8.53: a new set of features and add-ons for working with timecode metadata Most of the changes in iClone 8.53, and the new paid add-ons released alongside it, are to introduce support for timecode-based workflows.They enable iClone to read timecode data: frame-accurate metadata used to help synchronize audio and video footage, and to synchronize motion-capture data. That makes it possible to synchronize separate captures – either for multiple characters, or where face and body motion are captured separately – preventing the data streams drifting apart over time. Timecode is now supported natively in all of iClone’s motion formats: iMotion for full-body motion, iMotionPlus and iTalk for facial animation, and iProject for lights and cameras. Basic support for timecode data in the core software iClone 8.53 itself introduces support for timecode information in pre-recorded audio, video and mocap data in a range of common file formats, including MOV, MP4, MKV, WAV, and FBX.It also makes it possible to display timecode information inside the software, and to burn it into previews and final renders. New paid Timecode plugin for editing with and exporting timecode data However, to do anything more significant with timecode data, you really need the paid Timecode plugin.It makes it possible to set a Master Clock in Motion Live so that mocap data streamed into iClone uses a consistent timecode source: at the time of writing, timecode is supported in all of the Motion Live profiles with the exception of Qualisys. It also lets you edit with timecode data, making it possible to snap clips to embedded timecodes in the timeline to line them up precisely. And finally, it makes it possible to export timecode data, both embedded in FBX files, and when using the iClone Unreal Live Link plugin to transfer data directly to Unreal Engine. New Motion Live profile for high-end Vicon optical-capture systems In addition, there is a now a new Motion Live profile for Vicon optical motion-capture systems: the gold standard for mocap for movies and AAA games.It supports full-body and finger tracking, but not facial capture; and as with the other Motion Live profiles intended for high-end work, its $1,990 price tag is much higher than iClone itself. Price and system requirements iClone 8.53 is compatible with Windows 7+. The update is free to existing users. New perpetual licenses of iClone have a standard price of $599, and include the Motion Live plugin.The new Timecode plugin for Motion Live has a MSRP of $299 for Indie artists – those earning under $100,000/year – and $1,490 for other users. The new Vicon profile for Motion Live costs $1,990. Read an overview of the new features in iClone 8.53 on Reallusion’s forum Read a full list of new features in iClone 8.53 in the online release notes Read a full list of new features in Motion Live in the release notes Have your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we don’t post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.