Summary

(Nov. 2004)

Purposes

The general destinations of this project are the accumulation and the circulation of 3D dance motion data on the Web for dance art. We plan to construct 3D dance animation database on the Web. The database allows us to exchange and share the data and to collaborate together through the Internet.

Data

We gathered the ballet 3D motion data using motion capture systems. We captured from the real performance of professional female dancers. One of them is Ms. Yurie Shinohara, who is a permanent guest principal of Scottish Ballet. The detail of our capturing is Here.

The raw data must be modified and transformed into a standard format. We transformed the data into VRML format. We prepared original hierarchical skeleton system which complies basically with VRML H-Anim standard. H-anim has three level of architecture, but we reconstructed into 16 joints and 20 segments. We parallelized the raw data to our skeleton.

System (Web3D Dance Composer)

"Web3D Dance Composer version 4.0" offers e-learning for ballet and Laban motif. The system consists of an online archive and user-editable simulation system for ballet steps and step sequences, or 'enchaînement.' An archive of motion captured 3D ballet movements can be browsed, previewed in the 3D viewer, and selected to compose extended sequences. In addition, the automatic composition system allows ballet steps from the motion data archive to be combined spontaneously according to an algorithm which describes characteristic features of enchaînement.

The demonstration video clip which is 38 Mega-byte MPEG file could be downloaded from here. This video lasts about 3 minutes.

One of our prototypes of the system is published on this website as the Java applet, that is "Web3D Dance Composer ver. 3.1." Please try to use it and suggest us about the user-interface. The Java applet and its instructions could be accessed from HERE. (2004-07-05)

The version 4.0 will be release in December, 2004.

Future Plans

This system has a lot of exciting possibilities for dance. It could be facilitated:

1. to preserve dance movements,
2. to share and exchange dance movements,
3. to present and showcase movement composition,
4. to allow users to collaborate together through the medium of the Internet,
5. to create sequences of dance movement,
6. to simulate a dance stage with the 3D motion, and
7. to aid dance educators and students as a possible educational tool.

The project continues to be developed to become a more effective educational tool with aims to (1) aid teachers in lesson preparation, (2) inspire teachers and suggesting new possibilities for lesson content, and (3) be an e-learning tool for students.

Publications (Research Papers)

• Asako Soga, Bin Umino, Takami Yasuda, and Shigeki Yokoi.
  Systematic Coding Method and Creation-Supporting System for Ballet Choreography Using 3DCG , The Journal of the Society for Art and Science, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 96-107 (2004). <--New!
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Asako Soga
  Description Method for Dance Movement and a Web-based Choreography Simulation System , Doctor of Human Informatics Thesis, Nagoya University (2004). <--New!
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Bin Umino
  Theory and Practice for Information Organization Directed to Human Motion Data : Development of 3D-motion Database for Classical Ballet Basic Steps , Bulletin of Faculty of Sociology, Toyo University, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 131-167 (2003). <--New!
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Asako Soga, Bin Umino, Takami Yasuda, and Shigeki Yokoi.
  System for the Creation and Accumulation of Choreography for Ballet Lessons using 3DCG , Proceedings of the 19th NICOGRAPH, pp. 111-116 (2003).
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Asako Soga, Bin Umino, Takami Yasuda, and Shigeki Yokoi.
  3DCG Choreographic Simulation System for Ballet Lesson , Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of Japanese Society for Information and Systems in Education, pp. 19-20 (2003).
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Asako Soga, Bin Umino and Takami Yasuda.
  "A Web-based Choreography Simulation System to Support the Composition of Classical Ballet," Technical Report of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, Vol. 102, No. 660, pp. 71-74 (2003).
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Asako Soga, Bin Umino and Takami Yasuda.
  "A Web-based Motion Archive and 3DCG Simulation System to Support Classical Ballet Choreography," Journal of the Information Processing Society of Japan, Vol. 44, No. 2, pp. 227-234 (2003). <--New!
  Abstract in English
  
  
• SOGA Asako.
  "Web3D Dance Composer: A Web-based Ballet Performance Simulation System," Proceedings of 11th International Symposium on Electronic Art, pp. 16-19 (2002).
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Asako Soga, Bin Umino and Takami Yasuda.
  "A Web-based Interactive Choreography Simulation System for Ballet," The Journal of the Society for Art and Science, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 30-38 (2002).
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Asako Soga, Mamoru Endo, Takami Yasuda, Bin Umino and Takaaki Kaiga.
  "Standardization of Dance Motion Data Using H-anim which are Gathered by Motion Capture Systems and its Application; Construction of a Motion Data Archive for Classical Ballet," Proceedings of the IPSJ-SIGCH Symposium, pp. 41-48 (2001).
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Asako Soga, Bin Umino and Takami Yasuda.
  "An Interactive Choreography Simulation System for Ballet Based on the Web," Proceedings of the 17th NICOGRAPH, pp. 191-196 (2001).
  Abstract in English
  
  
• A.Soga, M.Endo and T.Yasuda
  "Motion Description and Composing System for Classic Ballet Animation on the Web," Proceedings of 10th IEEE ROMAN, pp. 134-139 (2001).
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Bin Umino and Takaaki Kaiga.
  "A Prototype of 3D Motion Picture Database for Classic Ballet Steps and its Evaluation," Proceedings of 61st IPSJ Annual Conference 6U-08 (2000).
  Abstract in English
  
  
• Asako Soga, Mamoru Endo, Takami Yasuda, et al.
  "Database and Stage Effects of Classic Ballet Motion Based on VRML," Proceedings of IPSJ Tokai Annual Conference S5-6 (2000).
  Abstract in English

Japanese page is Here.